Yoshi Mascot and Baby Mario Costumes for Toddlers

This is going to be a lengthy instructable, but hopefully worth the read.

I am going to break it down into the major components:
1. Yoshi Mascot Head
2. Yoshi's suit and shoes
3. Mario suit and hat
4. Baskets


My thought process's (not necessary for the build)
I really like doing themed costumes for my family.  Last year we went as members of the Captain N: The Game Master television show.  While that was fun and very successful, I wanted to let my oldest pick who he wanted to be this year.

He started off saying that he wanted to dress up as Mega Man again.  I talked with him about how much fun we had building the Mega Man costume, trying it on and seeing it become this really cool suit.  Then I explained to him we could build something new so we get to have all that fun over again.  He was sold.

We did some research trying to work in the themed idea.  We got it down to two options: Yoshi or Astroboy.  It really wasn't much of a competition, Yoshi was his choice.  I was hoping that he would choose Astroboy since it would be pretty similar to the Mega Man costume, but in hindsight I am glad he didn't.

With Yoshi we were going to make his little brother be Baby Mario.  Actually my oldest wanted his little brother to be Luigi (I am guessing because the little one has a Luigi plushie while he has a Mario), but the little one really liked the idea of being Mario.

I wanted to dress up as something, but didn't think I would have the time to do Bowser, which seemed the obvious choice.  I also didn't want to take away from the kids.  So this year I will go without.

With the costumes decided I went to work on design.  Baby Mario would be pretty easy, so my main concern was Yoshi.  I wanted to build Yoshi to scale, ie Yoshi's head is about the same size as his body.  My 4 year old is the perfect size and strength to be able to pull this off.  This is why I decided to try and do a Mascot costume instead of a hat or mask.  I hadn't seen a costume like this out there, and thought it would be really fun to do.

From there I started working.  I failed hard with the first attempted Yoshi head trying to make it out of wire and plastic mesh (it was good, just too heavy for him).  But my sons words of wisdom kept me focused.

Step 1: Yoshi Head (Materials and Tools)

Materials:
Pink Styrofoam (Blue would have been better) - Home Depot
PL300 Foamboard Adhesive - Home Depot
Odorless Cyanoacrylate (CA) Glue - Hobby Town
Batting - Already owned
Filler - Already owned
Green Fleece - Joann
White Fleece - Joann
Brown Fleece - Joann
Liner fabric - Already owned
Orange Felt - Joann
Black Felt - Joann
Red Felt - Joann
Red Knitted Cotton - Joann
Blue Knitted Cotton - Joann
Big Yellow Buttons - Already owned
Thread - Joann
Kids Construction helmet innards - Goodwill
Bike helmet chin straps - Goodwill
Upholstery foam - Already owned
Velcro - Already owned
Elastic - Already owned
Spray glue for fabric - Already owned

Tools:
Hole saw
Rasp
Coarse Steel Wool (like for cleaning pans)
File
Sharpie
Clay cutting wire
Sewing Machine
Pins
Needles
Measuring tape
Electric knife

Comments

[pos_will]

My kids love Mario characters and your templates helped me to make the blue yoshi. My son "needed" to be blue yoshi. My daughter wanted to be daisy.

[craineum]

How did I miss this comment? Sorry for the delay, but awesome job!

[Dusk Shadows]

YOSHI YOSHI YOSHI YOSHI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
p.s Mario is cool too

[kyleslab]

   http://www.instructables.com/id/Epic-Mario-Costume/Cool! Voting for yours... See mine here... 
Remember to comment and vote!

[twhelan1]

My 10 year old wants to be Yoshi this year, and I think your tutorial will help me along just nicely. Thank you.

[dsolis3]

ca i buy one from you for a toddler of 2t ??? pleasssseeeeee.

[arlnant]

Just had to stop and say wow! We (my two boys and I) are very impressed and considering using your ideas. Thanks and again, Wow!

[hossweightlifter]

Not only is this a great instructable the kids are sooo cute!

[Sithen]

How can that little kid support Yoshis face?.....

[craineum]

Yes, it was a little top heavy for him :( He was a trooper and it would come off between houses.

[Sithen]

Haha. Well that's awesome that he stuck with it.

[Arbitror]

I love the size of Yoshi's head!

[mary candy]

so cute!
I loved it.

[xuchilan]

lol this costume makes me laugh it's so cute!! 8D i like what u've done with the baskets btw :)

[MVMann]

These are amazing!!! You have some very lucky kids!

[King Julien]

Yoshi is so cool!  I would make me one of these but I have already decided to be a pinata.

[Ender Wiggin]

 Mabey Bowser next year?  Btw, I love the Mega Man costume!

[DIYDragon]

Seconded! Baby Bowser is awesome. : )

[yerfdog123]

I want to be Yoshi! to bad im not a toddler, lol.

[meigokao]

I'm so impressed by your foam shaping skills and engineering. You have opened up a world of foam for me in future creative projects! 

[camilaustral]

you are AMAZING!!!! wow!

[Slothman86]

Wow, so in depth! Great job

[zygomatic]

Exceptional work!

[MetaGrav]

Brilliant. Your kids are my new heroes!  I would do this as a teenager...Hmm... a 2.1m tall Yoshi running around... I hope you win the costume contest! Great 'Ible!

[kiffakitty]

 Thats sooooo cool! once i made a yoshi costume too but it works soooo much better for toddlers because of their small size! You did a great job with the foam head! 

[CapnTac]

Very nice! The Mario hat was very helpful, as I'm going as Mario to a Halloween party on the 31st.

[Focker]

 These costumes are amazing! I wish you were my parent. . . . 

[Sunbanks]

:O
I absolutely LOVE those costumes!
They are absolutely amazing, and the baskets are a great addition to them!