LIFE

Share your best DIY Halloween costume and win prizes

IndyStar staff

The best Halloween costumes aren’t bought - they’re made. Born of imagination, a procrastinator’s grit, a trip to the thrift store and sometimes, an offbeat sense of humor (remember Meg Ryan as a “Freudian slip” in D.O.A.?).

This year, show off your creativity and skills in the IndyStar’s DIY Halloween costume contest, sponsored by Goodwill Industries. First-, second- and third-place winners in each of three categories – Adult, Child and Throwback – will receive prizes. The top three winners in each category will have their photographs published in the Oct. 25 Indy Living section. All submitted photos will be published at indystar.com.

The contest will be judged by representatives from the IndyStar and Goodwill Industries. Judges will consider creativity, thought and skill. No ready-made, store-bought costumes will be considered. Costumes do not have to be created this year to be eligible. (See guidelines under “How to enter.”)

Entries will only be accepted via social media. Post your photo to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #MyDIYHalloween. (If you're using Facebook, make sure you set your post to share publicly so we can see it!). The contest is open now; deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. Oct. 12.

Winners will be notified on or around Oct. 16. Please read the Official Rules before entering.

Goodwill Halloween DIY Contest official rules

How to enter

Children’s DIY costume

1. Category is open to children currently ages 5 to 12.

2. Costume must have been made by the child wearing the costume. (Minimal adult supervision is OK, but the costume should have been primarily made by the child.)

3. Only one entry per contestant per category. A parent or legal guardian must submit contest entry on behalf of the child.

Adult DIY costume

1. Category is open to people currently ages 13 and up.

2. Costume must have been made by the adult wearing the costume.

3. Only one entry per contestant per category. If contestant is ages 13 to 17, a parent or legal guardian must submit contest entry on behalf of the child.

Throwback DIY costume

(Judges here prefer to be overcome with nostalgia.)

1. Contestants are not restricted by age, but costume must have been worn prior to 2005.

2. Costume must have been made by the person wearing the costume.

3. Only one entry per contestant per category. If contestant is 17 or younger, a parent or legal guardian must submit contest entry on behalf of the child.

Prize information

First-place prize winners in each category will win $100 Kroger gift cards. (Think of all the pumpkins, Halloween candy and caramel apples you can buy!)

Second-prize winners in each category will receive two passes to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

Third-prize winners in each category will receive two passes to the Indianapolis Zoo.