10 Costume Ideas For the Deaf Community

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[Image Description: A thumb, outlined in black, signs “10” with accompanying text that reads: “KODAheart’s [10] Costume Ideas For the Deaf Community!” In the background, a close-up photograph of candy corn and pumpkins, bright orange, yellow, white, green, and brown candies in the shape of corn and pumpkins.]

Tracking down costumes can be tough. This year the KODAheart team has ‘drawn-up’ a list of 10 costume ideas designed to showcase your cultural pride! Some of them are silly and many of them require some creativity and artistic skill, but all of them will be a hit at your costume party!

1. What about showcasing some technology? Dress as a TTY tell everyone HAPPY HALLOWEEN GA ! There are many to choose from, you can dress as the Big Green Monster, the recognizable printing 1990s version, or a modern silver pay-phone model! Need another idea? Check out our list of #throwbacks of the US Deaf Culture. 

[Image Description: Black and white drawings. On the left a drawing of a cardboard box. A black arrow points to the box from black text that reads "Cardboard". To the right a black plus sign. In the center, black text reads "Paint" and a black arrow points to a line drawing of a bucket and paintbrush. To the right an equal sign. On the right a line drawing of person with pigtails. Their arms and legs stick out of sides and bottom of a large TTY shaped box. Black lines outline keys and telephone receivers on the face of the box.]

2. What about making a costume out of your favorite ASL idiom? Our idea: TRAIN-GO, SORRY. Dress as a train conductor and end every conversation abruptly and refuse to repeat yourself!

[Image Description: Black and white drawings. On the left a drawing of striped hat. A black arrow points to the box from black text that reads "Conductor's Hat". To the right a black plus sign. In the center, black text reads "Overalls" and a black arrow points to a line drawing of a stack of clothes. To the right an equal sign. On the right a line drawing of a person with curly hair dressed as a train conductor.]

3. Celebrate the accomplishments of successful Codas! For example, in honor of Azie Taylor Morton, dress up as American currency.

[Image Description: Black and white drawings. On the left a drawing of a cardboard box. A black arrow points to the box from black text that reads "Cardboard". To the right a black plus sign. In the center, black text reads "Paint" and a black arrow points to a line drawing of a bucket and paintbrush. To the right an equal sign. On the right a line drawing of a person wearing or holding up a large $1 bill.]

4. Go as a historical figure from Deaf History! A little creativity and some period-clothing and you can be Laurent Clerc or Alice Taylor Terry! Get the whole family together and dress as the Gallaudets. Or choose your hero from the Koda Spotlight page!

[Image Description: Black and white drawings. On the left a drawing of mannequin head, with hair. A black arrow points to the box from black text that reads "wig". To the right a black plus sign. In the center, black text reads "long dress or black jacket and pants" and a black arrow points to a line drawing of a pile of clothes. To the right an equal sign. On the right a line drawing of a pair of people. One with hair piled in a bun and a long fitted dress, the other with short hair and a suit-jacket.]

5. Dress as a memorable Deaf Community landmark! For instance, a little cardboard and paint and you can be Gallaudet University’s Coffin Door. Don’t forget to warn people that they won’t graduate if they pass by you! 

[Image Description: Black and white drawings. On the left a drawing of a cardboard box. A black arrow points to the box from black text that reads "Cardboard". To the right a black plus sign. In the center, black text reads "Paint" and a black arrow points to a line drawing of a bucket and paintbrush. To the right an equal sign. On the right a line drawing of a coffin shaped door with a face and arms sticking out of holes in the door. Small black shoes are visible at the bottom.]

6. How about dressing as an entry in an ASL dictionary? This could be a lot of fun with the whole family too! Choose your word or phrase, grab some cardboard, cut holes for your arms and face, and start painting!

[Image Description: Black and white drawings. On the left a drawing of a cardboard box. A black arrow points to the box from black text that reads "Cardboard". To the right a black plus sign. In the center, black text reads "Paint" and a black arrow points to a line drawing of a bucket and paintbrush. To the right an equal sign. On the right a line drawing of a person holding a large white board made to look like an ASL dictionary entry, their face and arms visible through holes in the board. Black text in the upper left corner reads "Happy". The torso and movement arrows are painted or drawn on the board.]

7. Get ready for the catwalk! Dress as Nyle from America’s Next Top Model and strut your stuff Tyra-style, fierce.

[Image Description: Black and white drawings. On the left a drawing of a pile of clothes. A black arrow points to the box from black text that reads "black tank and skinny jeans". To the right a black plus sign. In the center, black text reads "facepaint mustache and beard" and a black arrow points to a line drawing of compact mirror, makeup brush, and palette. To the right an equal sign. On the right a line drawing of a person with short hair, a beard and mustache, wearing a black tank top and pants.]

8. Add some closed captioning to your evening! Use cardboard and paint to create signs or panels with frequently used phrases and auditory cues.

[Image Description: Black and white drawings. On the left a drawing of a bucket and paintbrush. A black arrow points to the box from black text that reads "Paint". To the right a black plus sign. In the center, black text reads "Cardboard" and a black arrow points to a line drawing of a cardboard box. To the right an equal sign. On the right a line drawing of person with short hair. In their hands is a long black banner with white text that reads "Happy Halloween"]

9. Do you have a favorite character from the TV show, Switched at Birth? Grab a wig and some clothes to create your look!

[Image Description: Black and white drawings. On the left a drawing of mannequin head, with hair. A black arrow points to the box from black text that reads "long red or curly black wig". To the right a black plus sign. In the center, black text reads "plaid shirt or striped shirt and jacket" and a black arrow points to a line drawing of a pile of clothes. To the right an equal sign. On the right a line drawing of two people. One with long hair and a plaid shirt, the other with a jacket and striped shirt and long wavy hair.]

10. Make use of your camp t-shirts and dress as your favorite camper/counselor!

[Image Description: Black and white drawings. On the left a drawing of a pile of clothes. A black arrow points to the box from black text that reads "athletic shorts". To the right a black plus sign. In the center, black text reads "camp shirt" and a black arrow points to a line drawing of a pile of clothes. To the right an equal sign. On the right a line drawing of a person with long straight hair, wearing a t-shirt that reads "KODA Camp" and shorts.]

What awesome costume ideas did you come up with for Halloween this year? Send us your pictures! If you use one of these ideas, let us know how it turned out!