Introduction: Vicious Koala Attack Child Costume

About: Eric J. Wilhelm is the founder of Instructables. He has a Ph.D. from MIT in Mechanical Engineering. Eric believes in making technology accessible through understanding, and strives to inspire others to learn …

A koala might seem like a cuddly animal, but deprive them of the eucalyptus leaves fermenting in their guts keeping them permanently drunk, and you have a vicious killing machine. When provoked, koalas are known to throw a foreleg around their opponent and bite. Help children understand the vicious nature of this seemingly cute but actually dangerous animal with a Koala Attack Halloween Costume.

Or, admit that you wanted to sew a fanged animal onto your child's clothing as a costume, and since really any animal will do for such high-concept art, a koala found at the local thrift shop allows one to pontificate about koalas' diet and aggressiveness.

Step 1: Get Cheap Stuffed Animals

I found local thrift stores to be good source of stuffed animals. 

You won't believe this part:  I bought the koala for $1, and before starting in on my costume idea, tossed it into the washing machine.  After the spin-cycle, I heard a faint song coming from the washing machine.  Upon opening the door, imagine my surprise to hear "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in beepy monotone emanating from the koala.  Not only had the electronics survived and then been activated by the washer, but someone had put the unofficial anthem of baseball into a marsupial native to Australia! 

Step 2: Cut Open the Mouth; Sew in Fangs

Where'd the dog come from?  I thought this was about koalas? 

I made the koala costume first and didn't take in-process images.  Plus, I figure a toddler is a more attractive intro image than the dog on my butt.  

Here, I've cut the dog's mouth, and hand-sewn in felt cut into the shape of teeth. 

Step 3: Sew Onto Clothing

Here I've hand-sewn the dog onto an old pair of pants.  It is attached at the mouth and limbs.

Step 4: Apply Blood

Globbed on red fabric puff paint looks very much like blood. 

Step 5: Try to Get Away From the Attacking Animal!

Run around!  Try to get away!  Scream! 

While proudly displaying this costume at the Instructables Halloween party, an Instructables editor said his girlfriend had actually been attacked by a koala! 

Halloween Easy Costumes Challenge

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Halloween Easy Costumes Challenge