Pirates are one of the favourite costume ideas for young kids. Rather than buying a packaged, looks-like-everyone-else costume, parents can easily make a homemade pirate costume for their children.

Use the scissors to cut the bottom of the black trousers. Slice them into small fringe, or cut bigger strips out to look more ragged. Pirates would be at sea for several months in the same pair of trousers, so pirate trousers would look worn and ripped.

Using the scissors, cut slices into the sleeves of a white long-sleeved shirt. Cut the bottom hem of the shirt to look jagged and ripped, like the trousers.

Tie a red bandanna on top of the child's head and put on a pair of black boots or shoes. Add a black toy eye patch across one eye. Make sure vision and safety is not compromised by the eye patch.

Decorate the costume by adding a toy sword and fake gold jewellery. Tie a red sash around the child's waist to finish the pirate look.