DIY Batmobile!
If I had to give one piece of advice to parents about getting ready for Halloween, it would be this: set the bar LOW! 😉 Last year I got a little overly excited that the Cs (well, at least Connor) would be able to understand what was going on and look forward to trick-or-treating. I wanted to make it extra memorable, so I turned the boys’ stroller into the Mystery Machine to go with their Scooby Doo and Shaggy costumes.
Halloween 2012 (Pre-Blogging– sorry for the grainy pic!)
So of course this year when they decided to be Batman and Robin, I was immediately met with, “And we can have a Batmobile!!!” I agreed, remembering that the Mystery Machine wasn’t that hard to make and set to work. I immediately realized that I was in trouble. I hadn’t taken into account that the Mystery Machine is basically a rectangle with some flowers on it and the Batmobile is smooth and sleek with all sorts of curves and intricate details. It is also all black, so it would require shading to bring out said details. Mama is not an artist. Creative? Sometimes. An artist? No. But I had promised the Cs a Batmobile, so a Batmobile they would have.
I had “rescued” a couple big boxes from the curb on trash day, so I started by cutting it down to size and drawing the outline of my Batmobile. True diehard Batman fans will note that my rendition of the iconic vehicle does not directly duplicate any of the Batmobile styles that have been used throughout the years. I kind of did a combination of bits and pieces of the different styles (and have I mentioned yet that I’m not an artist?), so bear with me.
I cut out two outlines– one for each side of the stroller– and painted them black. At this point it was looking more like a rocket ship than a Batmobile, but whatever. I knew I still had lots to add.
Then came the tricky part– drawing in the details. I did them first with pencil, then used a silver paint pen to define the outlines of all of my shapes. I also used a gold marker to draw in the Batman symbol on the side. {Mostly because I wasn’t super-confident that people would figure it out if I didn’t… ;)}
I filled in the lines with some silver paint, outlined it in sharpie to make it “pop,” attached it to the stroller and….
TA-DA! It’s the Batmobile! The Cs were just so tickled when they saw it. They couldn’t wait to try it out… well, big C couldn’t anyway.
My little vigilante, ready to fight crime!
Baby Robin was more interested in playing with the grass, lol.
It may not have a turbo booster or shoot flames or anything like that, but it will be a fun memory to look back on, and I’m sure the Cs will love showing it off on Halloween! AND the total cost was only $2 (!!!) for the paint pen!
Have you ever gone over the top with your kids’ Halloween costumes? {Please tell me I’m not the only one!!! :)}
My 6 year old would love the Batmobile. My older son has been a robot and a Lego, both were homemade by my husband.
Those sound like such fun costumes! Your husband must be a talented guy! My MIL used to sew all of my husband’s costumes when he was little, and while I can’t live up to that, it’s always fun to add some sort of personal touch! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, Susan!
~Abby =)
This is sooo fun! Great idea Abby!
Thank you, friend! You are so sweet! I’m SO behind on my email (sorry!), but I promise to email you soon! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Abby, this is SO adorable! I think you did an excellent job on the batmobile!! I can’t believe you got them both to pose so perfectly and at the same time. Love it 🙂 XO
I think that picture can officially be recorded as the first time both of them ever did what I wanted to do at the same time, lol! They were totally loving it! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, Christy!
~Abby =)
Oh so stinkin’ cute Abby! This almost makes me wish my kids were back in a stroller 🙂 Too cute for words, they are going to be the talk of the street on Halloween night!
Thank you, Mandy! If nothing else, they’re getting a kick out of it, so I’ll mark it down as a success! 😉 Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
I looove this idea! It has sparked some creativity in me- I think I may convert our wagon in to a halloween vehicle…. I don’t have girls- but a radioflyer converted to a cinderella carriage would be amazing! I’m more leaning towards a farmer, farmdog, tractor set up!
Thanks a million for sharing this! I’m so very behind in my October this year- I better get a move on!
Misti
Ooh the tractor idea sounds so cute! I can’t wait to see what you come up with! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, Misti!
~Abby =)
Oh my goodness… these are SOOO cute!! Look at how happy the Cs are!! What a great idea! I’m so glad you posted this. I need to think of something for my boys now.
Thank you, Emily! They sure are having a blast with it. Now if I can just make sure they don’t ruin it before Halloween, I’ll be set! 😉 Hope you’re having a great weekend, friend!
~Abby =)
Oh my goodness this is totally the cutest idea ever! You are such a fun mom!!
Thank you, friend! I made the mistake of doing it once, so now it looks like I’ll have to come up with something every year, lol! Oh well! They’re worth it! Hope you’re enjoying your weekend, Krista!
~Abby =)
This is SO COOL!!! My boys would LOVE this!! Maybe I can turn their power wheels into a bat mobile? My oldest is going as Batman, too.
You could totally do it to a power wheels too! That would be awesome because they’d actually be driving! I’ve heard of a lot of boys being Batman this year– I know anything having to do with superheroes is a win at our house! 😀 Hope you have a wonderful weekend, Megan!
~Abby =)
You are too much, Abby…this is ADORABLE! What little boys wouldn’t love their very own Batmobile?! What lucky little guys you have to belong to such a creative Mama… 🙂
Thank you so much, Samantha! They are having a good time with it for sure! And you definitely can’t beat the price, which I love. 🙂 Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Super cute Abby, great job! 🙂
~Sarah
Thank you so much, Miss Sarah! Hope you and your crew are having a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
I LOVE this! Great way to incorporate the stroller right into the costume! I’m stopping by from Inspire Me Please–have a great night, Abby!
Thanks for popping over, Carrie! I’m a little OCD about matching so I had to do something to make the stroller fit in! 😉 Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, friend!
~Abby =)
Everybody has said what a great Mom and creative person you are, it sure is true. Bless your heart. Just think what memories your boys will have. When they get older you’ll have to show them the photos, they’ll be impressed with you all over again. Great idea using the stroller, perfect foundation. Good find with the boxes too. Karma. You are so talented girl and a super duper Mom. Lucky little boys that look so adorable. Can hardly wait to see what Halloween photos you’ll be sharing. Happy days
Thank you so much, Jane Ellen! You always make me smile! Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and leave such sweet comments. They make my day!
~Abby =)
That is so cool! Love it. 🙂
Thanks, Chris! The boys are loving it, so mission accomplished, I say! 😉 Have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
🙂 oh! my! you are the best mommy Abby! you did a great job I love this batmobile for them, I really do! and they both look great in the pictures (I need that stroller for my little man now) 🙂
wish you and your family a beautiful weekend! 🙂
Thanks you, Ingrid! You are so sweet! They certainly are having fun with it! And this stroller certainly has been a lifesaver with two of them! It’s the Joovy Caboose sit-and-stand double, which has been especially great for Connor because he can sit or stand on the back and get on and off whenever he wants. Love it! Hope you’re having a wonderful weekend, my friend!
~Abby =)
As a mom to 3 little boys, I must say this is fabulous! I love all the creative costume ideas!!!
Thank you, Ila! I’m having fun checking out all of the creative costumes around the blogs, too! So cute! Hope you have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
What a cool idea!!! I wish I had thought of this when my son was still using the stroller. I’ll definitely have to remember it for when we take our twins out trick-or-treating in the future. We’ll be featuring this over at Someday Crafts tomorrow, so stop by if you’d like to take a look 🙂
Thank you so much, Miranda! I’m honored! Hope you have a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Umm, I’m an adult who loves sci fi and comics and I totally would have LOVED this as a kid. Great work!
Thanks, Alex! The boys are definitely having fun with it! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Our little guys are out of strollers, but what a cute addition to the wagon… and they LOVE Batman.
It would totally work on a wagon too! How fun! Thanks so much for stopping by, Jeannie! Have a great week!
~Abby =)
Love your post on the Batmobile! My husband is going to turn our Radio Flyer wagon into a Batmobile but he was wondering what you used to attach the sides to the stroller?
Thanks, Michelle! I bet it will work great with your wagon! I used a combination of command strips and LOTS of duct tape to attach ours. Have so much fun creating it!
~Abby =)
Oh Wow! This is such a clever, creative, and crafty idea! I love it!
Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party
Thank you so much, T’onna! The boys are certainly having fun with it! Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
LOVE THIS! My 2 year old wants to be batman and I was planning on dressing up my 4 month old as superman. But after seeing this I may have to see if I can find him a robin costume! Great idea!!!!
Thank you so much, Jeanne! I’m sure your boys will look adorable as Batman and Robin! {I found our Robin costume at Toys ‘R Us if that helps!} Hope you’re having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
You did such a great job, it’s so cute!
Thank you, Margo! The Cs are having a blast with it, so I’m chalking it up as a success! 😀 Happy Halloween!
~Abby =)
How do you attach the cardboard to the stroller? Thanks!!!!
Lots and lots of duct tape!!! 🙂 Someone else made this after seeing mine and they said they used zip ties and it worked too. Have fun!
~Abby =)
How did you attach to the stroller
Lots and lots of duct tape!! 🙂
~Abby =)