Yip Yips Costume
Yip, yip, yip, yip... uh-huh, uh-huh!
The Yip Yips (or Martian aliens) from Sesame Street are a beloved, nostalgic choice for Halloween and cosplay conventions. Known for their curious chatter and fear of household objects, these characters are instantly recognizable by their shaggy, colorful bodies and wide, dark mouths. This costume consists of a full-body fringed poncho or fleece shroud with giant googly eyes and pipe-cleaner antennae on top.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~90 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as Yip Yips
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.
Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.
What you need for a Yip Yips costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Yip Yips costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Shaggy fleece or textured fabric
4 to 5 yards of bright blue, pink, or green curly fleece or long-pile faux fur to drape over your body.
DIY: Use a large, shaggy textured blanket or a long-fringe poncho in a solid bright color.
Black mesh fabric
A yard of sheer black mesh or buckram fabric to create a see-through mouth panel at face level.
DIY: Use a black mesh laundry bag or a piece of dark window screen.
Styrofoam balls
Two large 4-inch styrofoam balls to serve as the character's signature bulging eyes.
DIY: Use two white plastic baseballs or lightweight plastic globes painted white.
Chenille pipe cleaners
Thick pipe cleaners or wire wrapped in yarn to form the thin, bendable antennae on top of the head.
DIY: Wrap wire coat hangers in matching colored yarn or felt strips.
Ping pong balls or felt circles
Small black felt circles or plastic pupils to attach to the front of the styrofoam eyes.
DIY: Draw the pupils directly onto the styrofoam balls with a thick black permanent marker.
Ping pong paddle or telephone prop
A retro rotary telephone or a simple household object to interact with, just like in the classic sketches.
DIY: Carry a simple household item like a book, clock, or computer keyboard.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Yip Yips costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Fold your main fleece fabric in half to determine the length, ensuring it drapes from the top of your head down to your shins.
- 2
Cut a wide, oval-shaped opening at face level to serve as the Martian's mouth.
- 3
Sew or hot-glue the black mesh fabric over the inside of the mouth opening so you can see out, but others cannot see in.
- 4
Attach the two large styrofoam balls directly above the mouth opening using heavy-duty hot glue or wire anchors.
- 5
Glue a black felt circle onto the front of each styrofoam ball to create the pupils.
- 6
Insert the pipe cleaner antennae into the top of the head area, securing them from the inside with hot glue or cardboard backing.
- 7
Drape the finished shroud over your head, align the mesh mouth with your eyes, and practice your 'yip-yip' jaw movements.
Makeup & hair
No makeup or hair styling is required, as your entire head and face will be completely covered by the fabric shroud.
Yip Yips for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person goes as the blue Yip Yip and the other goes as the pink Yip Yip.
- group
- Gather a group to represent blue, pink, green, and yellow Martians, carrying household props like telephones and clocks.
- kids
- Create a shorter poncho version using a bright fleece blanket with felt eyes glued to a matching beanie.
- Plus size
- The draped poncho/shroud design is naturally oversized and highly accommodating for all body types.
- pet
- A simple bright blue or pink knit dog sweater topped with a hood featuring two giant googly eyes.
Tips
- Ensure the black mesh fabric is sheer enough for safe navigation, especially in low-light evening settings.
- Leave the bottom of the shroud open and loose to allow for comfortable walking and temperature regulation.
- Keep your hands hidden inside the fabric and use them to manipulate the lower lip of the mouth to make the character 'talk.'
- Carry a lightweight retro prop like a rotary phone to prompt fun interactions with people.
Yip Yips costume FAQ
- How do you see out of a Yip Yip costume?
- You see through a panel of sheer black mesh fabric sewn into the wide mouth opening at eye level.
- What is the best fabric for a DIY Yip Yip costume?
- Curly fleece, shaggy faux fur, or long-fringe fabric works best to replicate the puppet's textured, yarn-like appearance.
- Can you buy a pre-made Yip Yip costume?
- Yes, officially licensed Sesame Street Yip Yip ponchos are available, but making a DIY version allows for a more authentic, shaggy texture.
Did you know? The Yip Yip Martians debuted on Sesame Street in 1972, famously trying to communicate with inanimate objects like telephones, clocks, and computers by repeating 'Yip-yip-yip-yip... uh-huh, uh-huh!'