Halloween is right around the corner so it's time to start thinking about costumes.

As parents frantically dig out suitably gruesome costumes for the kids from fancy dress shops, one way of reducing the financial horror is to opt for a homemade creation instead.

Not only will the outfit be one of a kind, but making it will be great fun for all the family. And there's nothing cuter than a child trick-or-treating in a costume made with love.

To get you motivated, IBTimes UK has come up with a few quick, easy and imaginative ideas for your children's fancy dress costumes.

These ideas are guaranteed to get you into the spooky spirit. 

What you will need: For this costume you will need a brightly coloured puffy top, a simple vest, a pair of boots, a headscarf, bangles, beads and a flowing skirt.

How to make: The key to this outfit is to layer up. First, team the long skirt with the puffy top before putting another simple vest on top of the shirt.
Take the headscarf and tie it around the head. Leave the ends of the scarf to dangle.
Complete the look with plenty of accessories such as beads draped around the neck and bangles on the arms.

What you will need: All you will need to make this cost-effective costume is a red and white striped top, a pair of jeans or blue trousers, a cheap pair of glasses, a Christmas hat and a walking stick.

How to make: First get them dressed in the hat, top and jeans. Then pop the lenses out of the glasses and hey presto - you have yourself a little Wally. The walking stick is optional, of course.

What you will need: Wide-brimmed straw hat, black netting, pair of white overalls and bucket, white gloves and bucket.

How to make: Cut a piece of netting which is as long as the circumference of the brim of the hat. Glue the netting to the underside of hat brim, and cover with seam binding (to keep glue from seeping through).
Then combine the hat with the coveralls and work gloves. Complete the look by using a paint pen, to stencil 'HONEY' on the bucket

What you will need: A black or blue blazer, white shirt, bow tie and sunglasses.

How to make: Simply get your little one dressed up, slick their hair back or arranged into a tight ponytail, and they will be as Gangnam-style as Psy!

What you will need: A white curtain lining or bed sheet, a pumpkin lantern.

How to make: Simply find an old sheet that covers their whole body. For the traditional look, paint eyes, nose and mouth in the centre of the sheet where the head will be. Or mark the position of the head in the cloth and cut a circle for the face to pop out of. Cover the face with face paint and black make-up. For a truly terrifying ghostly look, cut the ends of the sheet in a ragged fashion.