A.R.L.E.N Robot Costume

by Mike Wakefield
(Joplin, MO, USA)

My 5 year old son decided he wanted to be a robot for Halloween. Instead of buying one I thought it would be a good opportunity to make the costume and spend some time together.

Materials-
Sterilite plastic storage container, toy phone, electrical wire, battery operated Christmas lights, silver spray paint, cotton gloves, crocs(later switch to canvas shoes because the paint didn't stick),bucket, fuses, pipe cleaners, reflective car visor, duct tape, silver string, dryer vent, safety goggles.

Here are the steps we took to make it:
1. Used a jig saw to cut arm, leg and head holes out of the storage box.
2. Attached the dryer vent by drilling holes in the body and attaching with sliver string.
3. Cut eye holes out of the bucket and drilled holes of the ears and mouth.
4. Glued goggles over eye holes.
5. Made a pattern out of a pair of his blue jeans to cut out the reflectors for pants.
6. Add fuses to the bucket to give it a little more industrial look.
7. Embellished with what we thought looked cool. The toy phone, and Christmas lights added a pretty cool effect.

Overall whatever he thought looked cool we did. He loves it!

He entered his first contest last night and was met with rave reviews. The best part is whenever he has the costume he walks and talks exactly like a robot. Hilarious!!