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Coolest Praying Mantis Costume

This started out as a simple question, “What are you going to be for Halloween?” The first thing that came to mind: Praying Mantis. Upon hearing this my boyfriend responded “please don’t,” and at that moment I knew I had my Praying Mantis Costume and a challenge.

The next day I immediately went to work. I downloaded coloring book images of mantis’ so I would have an example of the simplest lines and shaped of the insect. Next I downloaded various pictures of actual praying mantis’ to put together a color study of sorts. I then made a shopping list and headed to my local craft store. $50 dollars in craft supplies later I was ready to begin.

I wanted to create a helmet-type head piece to make my head look like the mantis. I made a form out of a mixing bowl, towels, tape, and saran wrap and used paper mache to achieve the mantis head.

I created the arms out of cardboard and a lot of hot glue. I glued pieces of felt on the inside of the cardboard to give it more dimension.

For the bottom wings I hot glued various sheets of glitter-green felt, then cut them into wing shapes and glued green pipe cleaners to simulate the different layers to mantis wings.

For the butt I dyed a pillow case green and stuffed it with cotton batting. Finally I attached the butt and wings to a fanny pack to hold the whole thing on and also carry around my items for the evening.

It turned out exactly as I imagined it would and I was very happy with the result. I also made a Luna moth costume for my friend and a my little pony costume for my sister. Yay for homemade costumes and good ‘ol creativity!



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8 thoughts on “Coolest Praying Mantis Costume”

  1. was looking for a praying mantis image and up popped your costume. a fun thing to see on this cold and snowy Oklahoma morning — thanks for the grin!

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  2. I just googled praying mantis without looking for a costume and your story killed me; that’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard “upon hearing this my boyfriend responded ‘please don’t'”. Totally using this costume next Halloween!

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  3. My five year old is playing the “praying” mantis in his Catholic school play…..I almost fell off my chair when I saw this pic! Thank you for paving the way! Freaking Awsome!

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  4. I have to say your idea was helpful since I have a 9 year autistic son who LOVES insects. He wants to be a mantis for Halloween this year. Thank you for posting your great invention.

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  5. Was searching for a good praying mantis image for a ceramic project, and stumbled across your costume idea! You are very clever and your boyfriend is a lucky guy! I love to be creative and impress (sometimes embarrass) my husband and 2 teenage sons. If we were in the same town, I think we’d be friends! Great job!

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