As busy parents of multiples it’s hard enough to think sometimes, let alone come up with fun costume ideas. This year the pressure is off. Choose from the easy, inexpensive and fun costumes below.

Thing 1 and Thing 2
Multiple little ones (and teens, too) are adorable creatures as Thing 1 and Thing 2, and this costume takes only minutes to make.

You’ll need:

• 2 red sweat suits
• 2 squares of white felt
• White thread and needle (optional)
• Black, stick-on letters
• Blue-colored hair spray

Cut out two circular patches from the white felt. Write the names “Thing 1” and “Thing 2” onto the patches with the stick-on letters. Tack the white patches onto the sweatshirts using the needle and thread for easy removal later. Or buy stick-on felt and stick the white patches onto the shirt. Use the hairspray for blue hair.

Hint: Nobody likes hairspray fumes. Before spraying, you’ll have better luck fighting wiggles if you ask your child to pretend he’s a cowboy as you tie a bandana loosely around his nose and mouth.

Patriotic Firefighter and Policeman/Policewoman
Our kids will never forget the events of September 11. Help twins show their patriotic side with real-life hero costumes. They can dress alike or choose the complimentary costumes.

For Firefighter you’ll need:

• Red shirt and leggings
• Raincoat (try a discount shop)
• Tinfoil
• Felt-tip markers
• Two-sided tape
• Inexpensive firefighter hat (available at costume shops or online)

Cut out a badge from foil and have your child decorate it with markers. Stick the badge to the raincoat with tape. Dress your child in the shirt, leggings and the raincoat. Add the hat.

For Policeman/Policewoman you’ll need:

• Blue shirt and leggings
• Tinfoil
• Felt-tip markers
• Two-sided tape
• Inexpensive police hat (available at costume shops or online)
• Whistle on string (to go around neck)
• Flashlight

Cut out the badge from the foil, and have your child decorate it with markers. Stick the badge to the shirt with tape. Dress your child in the shirt and leggings. Add the hat, the whistle and the flashlight, and your little policeman/woman is ready to light the way.

Three Blind Mice
Thinking up cute costumes for twins is one thing, but what about triplets? Your triplet trio, or twins and a sibling, will be the hit of the party as Three Blind Mice. And it’s extra fun if you dress up as The Farmer’s Wife!

For mice you’ll need:

• 3 gray sweat suits with hoods
• 1 square of gray felt
• Gray thread and needle
• 3 gray nylon knee-highs
• Cotton (to stuff the nylons for tails)
• Black eyeliner pencil
• 3 pairs sunglasses

Cut out small half-circles from the felt for ears. Tack the ears onto the hoods of the sweatshirts with needle and thread. Stuff the nylons with cotton. Tack onto the back of the sweatpants for tails. In our version of the mice costumes, the farmer’s wife definitely doesn’t cut off tails! Use the eyeliner pencil to draw a triangular nose and whiskers onto each child’s face. Add the sunglasses, and your mice are ready to skitter away.