Weather is one of my favourite themes for a school parade because every child already knows the symbols. A sun, a cloud, a lightning bolt: they read from the far end of a playground without a single word of explanation. Below are thirty forecast costumes made mostly from ordinary clothes plus felt, tulle, polyester stuffing and a bit of cardboard, from sunshine and rainbows to snowstorms, tornadoes and a weather reporter losing a fight with the wind. Each one lists the base, the headpiece or hair, simple makeup, a prop and shoes. Most of them suit kids, teens or adults with a change of size, and I've flagged the details that tend to fall off, tangle or get soaked halfway round the parade route.
Building a Cloud That Stays Fluffy Until Home Time
Half the costumes below use polyester stuffing for clouds, and loose stuffing pinned straight onto a sweatshirt goes flat and patchy within an hour of hugging, sitting and playground games. I build clouds a little differently so they last the school day.
- Cut a cloud shape from felt or old fleece to act as a base, a little smaller than the finished cloud.
- Pull the stuffing into fist-sized puffs rather than one big wad. Small puffs stay rounded; a single lump compresses into a pancake.
- Stitch each puff to the base with a few loose stitches through the middle, or glue it on with fabric glue and let it dry overnight. Hot glue sets hard and scratchy and pops off fleece once it flexes.
- Safety-pin the finished base to the clothing from the inside. The sweatshirt is still wearable afterwards, and the cloud can go on next year's costume.
For a quick version, cotton balls glued onto a felt base work too, though they look smaller and flatter. Keep stuffing well away from a child's face if they have asthma or are bothered by fibres, and put clouds on the shoulders or a hat rather than around the neck.
1. Sunny Day Weather Costume
The sun is the costume I'd suggest to a nervous first-timer, because it's hard to get wrong. Start with a yellow dress, a yellow sweatshirt and pants, or a yellow top over a tulle skirt. Cut long triangular rays from stiff felt and stitch them around a light circular collar; soft felt rays droop by lunchtime. A headband of gold craft foam rays adds height. Hair goes sleek or in a high ponytail with yellow ribbon. A little gold shadow and some cheek shimmer give the glow. A round sun bag or yellow treat bucket, and yellow sneakers, flats or rain boots. Keep the collar rays shorter than the child's chin so they can still look down at their feet.
2. Rain Cloud Weather Costume
Grey layers make the rain cloud readable without making it sad. A grey sweatshirt with leggings, joggers or a knit skirt is the base, with clusters of polyester stuffing safety-pinned to the shoulders and chest. The main cloud sits on a wide-brim hat or a light umbrella covered in more stuffing. Blue felt raindrops hang from clear thread, and I keep every strand shorter than a hand's length, because longer ones knot together within ten minutes of a child running. Loose waves for the hair, silver-grey shadow with tiny blue accents. A blue raincoat adds warmth outdoors, with blue socks and waterproof rain boots underneath.
3. Rainbow Weather Costume
Nothing on this list is as cheerful as the rainbow. Start with a white tee or sweatshirt and neutral leggings, then tie strips of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple tulle around an elastic waistband for the skirt. A no-sew tulle skirt is the easiest thing here to make with a child helping: you just knot strips onto the elastic. Add a narrow curved rainbow on the chest in felt or foam board, slim enough that arms swing freely. A cloud headband of white stuffing tops it off. Rainbow eyeshadow and star stickers on the cheeks, a white cloud treat bag, rainbow socks and white sneakers.
4. Thunderstorm Weather Costume
A thunderstorm can be dramatic without being scary, and light is the trick. A charcoal sweatshirt, black joggers and a light grey cape are the base, with grey stuffing around the shoulders and hood for heavy storm clouds. Cut lightning bolts from yellow reflective fabric and attach them to the cape and pants; reflective fabric also makes a child easy to see on a dull morning. Battery string lights can tuck into the cloud trim, with the battery pack in a pocket, never against the skin. Big hair or a tousled silver wig, grey and silver shadow, a small cloud prop and black waterproof boots with yellow laces.
5. Lightning Bolt Weather Costume
Bold contrast is what makes the lightning bolt stand out in a crowd. A black long-sleeve top with fitted pants, leggings or joggers forms the base, with a big zigzag bolt of yellow foam, felt or metallic fabric across the front and smaller bolts down the sleeves and legs. If you use foam for the big bolt, round the points slightly; sharp foam corners poke the chin every time a child bends forward. A spiky ponytail or a yellow bolt-shaped headband. Gold liner and yellow shadow. A battery light wand is a safe prop, and black sneakers with yellow socks finish it.
6. Tornado Weather Costume
The tornado looks impressive and weighs almost nothing. Start with a grey fitted top and leggings or joggers, then attach layers of grey and silver tulle that are widest at the shoulders and narrowest at the ankles. Stitch or pin every layer to the clothes rather than wrapping tulle around the child; loose wraps slide down and trip them. Tiny felt houses, trees, leaves and clouds pinned into the tulle look like things caught in the wind, and kids love choosing what gets swept up. Tease the hair upward or make a messy grey ponytail, add smoky silver eye makeup and pale shimmer, and choose grey sneakers for stability.
7. Snowstorm Weather Costume
The snowstorm is soft and sparkly. A white sweater dress with opaque white tights, or a white sweatshirt with loose pants, is the base. A sheer white or pale blue cape carries felt snowflakes and some iridescent sequins. Stuffing around the shoulders becomes thick winter cloud, and strands of light snowflakes give the falling snow. I'd go easy on the hair glitter; it ends up on every classroom chair and is still turning up a week later. A braided crown, pearly shadow and small white snowflakes near the temples. A clear wand of faux snow or a snowflake bag, and silver boots or white sneakers.
8. Snowflake Weather Costume
A single snowflake is the neater, quieter cousin of the snowstorm. Choose an icy blue dress, a tunic with leggings or a sweater and skirt, and stitch white felt snowflakes of different sizes across the front, sleeves and hem. A structured snowflake collar of craft foam gives the shape, as long as it sits on the shoulders and not under the arms. A silver snowflake headband over a bun, braids or a white-and-blue wig. Pale blue shadow, silver liner and a pearly highlight. A glittery wand or small silver bag, white tights for warmth, and silver flats, ankle boots or sneakers for walking.
9. Hailstorm Weather Costume
Hail is an unexpected forecast, and that's half its charm at a parade. A dark blue raincoat over a grey shirt and navy pants or leggings makes the base, with white pom-poms of different sizes across the coat, hood and shoulders as harmless hailstones. Cover a small umbrella with grey stuffing and hang a few larger pom-poms from short clear threads, kept above the waist. Pom-poms are the ideal material here: soft if they hit anyone, and easy to stitch back on. Hair in a low braid or under the hood, cool blue and silver around the eyes, a blue bucket, thick socks and sturdy rain boots.
10. Windy Day Weather Costume
The windy day is all about everything leaning one way. A pale blue button-down with grey trousers, or a blue dress over tights, gets light ribbons, fabric leaves and paper shapes attached so they all point in the same direction. That shared direction is the whole joke, so pin them before you sew and check from a few steps back. A soft hat tilted sideways stays put with elastic under the chin. Sweep the hair to one side with pins and strong spray. Cool eye makeup and rosy cheeks. An inside-out umbrella on a light costume frame, or a pinwheel for younger kids, plus ankle boots or sneakers with blue ribbons.
11. Foggy Morning Weather Costume
Fog is quiet and a bit mysterious, but still friendly. A light grey tunic, sweater dress or sweatshirt with grey leggings is the base, and translucent white and silver tulle drifts loosely from the shoulders, waist and arms, never across the face. A grey headband with soft stuffing makes a low cloud. A silver-grey wig or loosely waved hair suits the mist. Pearl and light grey shadow with white shimmer on the cheekbones. A battery lantern or translucent orb is the prop. Fog is the one costume on this list that can look like nothing at all from a distance, so I'd keep the tulle layers generous and the colours pale.
12. Frosty Weather Costume
Silver branches and icy trim turn plain winter clothes into frost. A pale blue sweater with white pants, or a silver dress over warm tights, gets iridescent trim at the shoulders, cuffs and hem. The crown is silver pipe cleaners twisted into branching ice shapes, and every cut end must be folded over and wrapped, because pipe cleaner wire scratches. A smooth braid threaded with white ribbon or a pale silver wig. White liner, light blue shadow and pearly shimmer. A glittery branch wand or clear acrylic snowflake, and white boots with silver laces for a cold October morning.
13. Heat Wave Weather Costume
Red, orange and yellow make the heat wave obvious at first glance. Start with a red tee or dress and add an asymmetrical overskirt of rounded flame shapes in orange and yellow felt, keeping them cartoonish rather than realistic. A sun headband and oversized yellow sunglasses give the forecast a joke. Hair in a high ponytail with red and orange ribbons. Warm gold shadow, coral blush and a neutral gloss. A folding fan or a cardboard thermometer pointing at a silly high number is the best prop on the list for getting laughs. Red sneakers and orange socks, or yellow sandals only if the day is genuinely warm.
14. Meteorologist Weather Costume
The meteorologist is my pick for an older child or a teacher who wants to look smart with almost no crafting. A blazer over a plain blouse or button-down, with tailored pants, a knee-length skirt or dark jeans, is the base. Make the weather map from light foam board and either wear it on soft shoulder straps or carry it to present from. Felt suns, clouds and raindrops go on the map. Neat hair and natural makeup. A toy microphone with a made-up station symbol, not a real one. Practise pointing at the map and saying "and here's what's coming in from the west", because the performance is what people remember. Loafers, flats or clean dress shoes.
15. Weather Reporter In The Wind Costume
This one captures every live forecast that has gone wrong in a gale. A trench coat over a collared shirt and straight pants, with the coat hem, tie, scarf and hair all pinned toward one side. I'd use safety pins on the inside of the coat and a little wire in the tie so it holds its sideways flap without long loose pieces. A crooked name badge and a toy microphone with a fluffy wind cover. A dramatic side-swept hairstyle and natural makeup with windblown pink cheeks. A small foam weather map hanging from one hand as if it's about to fly off, and sturdy loafers, rain boots or sneakers.
16. Partly Cloudy Weather Costume
Can't decide between sunshine and clouds? Partly cloudy puts both on one outfit. A sky-blue sweatshirt with leggings, pants or a tulle skirt is the base. White stuffing covers one shoulder as a cloud, and a large yellow felt sun sits on the other side with a few rays tucked behind the cloud so they overlap. A split headband with a small cloud on one side and a sun on the other. Soft waves, blue shadow with gold at the inner corners. A reversible weather sign, and white sneakers with one yellow lace and one blue lace. Kids who can never pick one thing tend to love this costume.
17. Sunrise Weather Costume
Sunrise is a softer, more colourful sun. A pink, peach or lavender dress gets a yellow tulle overskirt at the waist, and a cape is painted or pieced in horizontal bands of purple, pink, orange and gold. Fabric paint on an old cape is quicker than piecing, though it stiffens the fabric, so paint the bands thinly. A half-sun headpiece rising above the hair is the focal point. Loose waves or a low bun with pastel ribbons. Pink, coral and gold shadow blended as a gradient. A round gold bag or a cloud with yellow rays peeking out, with metallic flats, pastel sneakers or gold ankle boots.
18. Sunset Weather Costume
The sunset uses deep sky colours and very little construction. A long purple dress, a violet top with flowing pants or a navy jumpsuit is the base, with bands of magenta, orange, coral and gold tulle across the waist and shoulders for the fading horizon. A small golden sun near the hem looks as though it's dropping below the skyline, which is the detail that tells people it's a sunset and not a sunrise. A smooth ponytail or dark waves with orange and purple clips. Gradient shadow from gold to berry, the rest simple. A sun clutch or a light horizon panel, and purple sneakers, gold flats or navy ankle boots.
19. Clear Night Sky Weather Costume
A clear night sky stretches the weather theme with stars and moonlight. Wear a navy jumpsuit, maxi dress, or sweatshirt with matching pants, with silver stars across the fabric and a crescent moon appliqué on one shoulder. A sheer navy cape dotted with reflective stars adds movement. Iron-on stars stay put through a day of school far better than glued ones. A moon-and-star headband over curls, a braid or a dark blue wig. Silver liner and tiny star stickers on the face; I'd test the stickers the day before, since some lift as soon as a child gets warm. A moon bag or battery star lantern, and silver sneakers or navy boots.
20. Northern Lights Weather Costume
Green, blue and purple shimmer make the northern lights. A black dress, jumpsuit or top and leggings stands in for the night sky, with iridescent tulle draped diagonally in bands of emerald, turquoise, violet and pink. Tiny silver stars in the dark areas add depth. Long waves with temporary blue and purple spray, or a multicoloured wig. Coloured hair spray rubs off on collars and pillows, so I'd put an old towel over the shoulders while spraying and keep it off the day before a photo. Cool-toned shadow in the same gradient and a pearly highlight. A clear light-up orb or star wand, and black ankle boots with colourful ribbon laces.
21. April Showers Weather Costume
April showers mixes real rainwear with spring details. A pastel raincoat over a floral dress, a skirt and sweater, or bright pants is the base. Cover a light umbrella with white cloud stuffing and hang blue felt raindrops and small fabric flowers from short threads. In a packed school hallway, I'd swap the umbrella for a flower-trimmed rain hat or cloud headband, since open umbrellas and crowds of children don't mix. Braids keep hair tidy under the headpiece. Fresh pink blush, pale blue shadow and a small flower near one cheek. A watering-can treat container, bright rain boots, floral socks and a waterproof crossbody bag.
22. Rainbow After The Storm Costume
This costume tells a full weather story with a split design. Wear a fitted outfit with grey on one side and rainbow colours on the other. Soft cloud stuffing and blue raindrops go on the grey shoulder, and curved felt rainbow bands sweep across the other side from chest to hip. A matching headband puts a small storm cloud beside a rainbow. A grey ribbon on one side of the hair and multicoloured clips on the other, and split eye makeup in silver-grey and pastels. The split only reads if the dividing line is straight down the middle, so mark it with chalk on the clothes before attaching anything. A reversible cloud-and-rainbow bag, and one grey shoe and one bright one.
23. Sun And Rain Couple Weather Costume
Sun and rain make a couple with strong contrast that still feels connected. The sun wears a yellow top with matching pants or a tulle skirt, a ray headband, gold makeup and yellow sneakers. The rain wears a blue raincoat, grey trousers, a fluffy cloud hat, blue raindrop accessories and rain boots. The sun carries a round gold bag; the rain carries a small umbrella with short hanging drops. Matching white gloves or shared blue-and-yellow details tie the two together. For siblings, I'd let the more outgoing child be the sun. Keep every cloud and sun piece light so both can sit down at a desk.
24. Rainbow And Rain Cloud Couple Costume
The rainbow and rain cloud pair puts bright colour next to soft texture. The rainbow wears a white shirt with a layered tulle skirt or striped pants, a cloud headband, colourful eye makeup and white sneakers. The cloud wears grey with a stuffing-covered hat or umbrella, blue felt drops, silver shadow and blue rain boots. Swap one small detail between them: a little rainbow patch on the cloud and a few raindrops near the rainbow's hem. That swap is what makes two separate costumes look like a pair. The rainbow carries a cloud bag and the cloud holds the umbrella. It adapts easily for siblings, friends or a parent and child.
25. Thunder Cloud And Lightning Couple Costume
Thunder cloud and lightning put dark neutrals next to one flash of yellow. One person wears charcoal with a grey tulle cape, cloud-covered shoulders, silver makeup and black boots, with short strings of blue raindrops that stop above the knees. The other wears black and bright yellow with a big fabric bolt across the torso and smaller ones on the sleeves, a spiky yellow headband, gold eye makeup and black sneakers with yellow laces. White battery lights in the cloud add flashes. Stand the lightning slightly in front of the cloud for photos so the yellow pops against the grey. A whole storm, with nothing scary in it.
26. Weather Forecast Group Costume
A group of friends can each be a different forecast. Give sunshine, rain cloud, rainbow, lightning and snow to five people, all on the same blue shirt or dress, then let each add their own felt symbol, headpiece, makeup, prop and shoe colour. Sun: yellow rays and gold shoes. Rain: a cloud umbrella and blue boots. Rainbow: colourful tulle and white sneakers. Lightning: reflective yellow bolts and black shoes. Snow: white snowflakes, silver makeup and pale boots. A sixth person can be the meteorologist with a blazer, microphone and map. The shared blue base is the single most important decision; skip it and you have five unrelated costumes.
27. Family Weather System Costume
A family weather system lets each person pick a forecast that suits them. One adult wears sunny yellow with a ray headpiece; another is the meteorologist in a blazer and trousers with the weather-map board. One child becomes a rain cloud in grey sweats, cloud stuffing, blue drops and rain boots. Another wears a rainbow tunic, colourful tights, a cloud headband and sneakers. A toddler makes a tiny tornado in grey with soft spiralling tulle, a messy headband and comfy shoes. Repeat a sky-blue accent on everyone. On toddlers I'd skip anything hanging at all, since little ones pull on whatever dangles and put it straight in their mouths.
28. Four Seasons Weather Group Costume
Four friends can cover the whole year. Spring wears a pastel raincoat over florals, a cloud-and-flower headband, fresh makeup and bright rain boots. Summer wears a yellow sundress or matching set, a sun-ray crown, gold makeup, sunglasses and white sandals or sneakers. Fall wears rust layers with fabric leaves, a windswept hat, warm makeup and brown boots. Winter wears white and icy blue, a snowflake cape, silver makeup and white shoes. Each carries one seasonal prop: an umbrella, a sun bag, a pinwheel or a snowflake wand. Matching headpiece sizes and similar outfit shapes make four different looks read as one group.
29. Blizzard Weather Costume
The blizzard is the wildest of the snow looks. A white puffer vest over a pale blue sweatshirt with white leggings or snow pants is the base, with a light circular cape of white tulle layers and soft snowflakes that seem to spin around the wearer. A headband covered in white stuffing carries short strands of falling snow. A high braid with silver ribbon or an icy white wig. Pale blue shadow, white liner and a pearly highlight. A clear umbrella with small snowflakes spreads the swirl. The puffer vest is quietly the cleverest piece here: it's warm on a cold parade morning and already looks like snow.
30. Tropical Storm Weather Costume
The tropical storm swirls blue layers with leaves, clouds and rain. A navy top and leggings, a jumpsuit or a comfy dress is the base, with curved layers of blue, turquoise, grey and white tulle wrapped to suggest rotating storm bands. Light fabric leaves and a few foam raindrops are stitched to the outer layers. A cloud headpiece with blue ribbon rain, and a windblown side ponytail. Blue-grey shadow with silver highlights. A pinwheel or weather-map prop rather than anything showing real damage, since some children in a class may have lived through a bad storm. Navy rain boots or sturdy blue sneakers, sized for older kids, teens or adults.
Parade Day: Rain, School Rules and Changing Rooms
A weather costume has to survive real weather and a school timetable. These are the things I'd sort out the night before.
If it rains
Cardboard softens and bends as soon as it gets wet, and wet stuffing stays soggy all day. Cover cardboard pieces with clear packing tape or swap them for craft foam, which shrugs off rain. Felt holds up better than paper, but most felt colours can run onto light clothing, so test a scrap with a damp cloth first. A clear rain poncho over the whole costume keeps it visible and dry.
Check the school's rules
Many schools ask for no masks, no face-covering pieces, no realistic props and shoes children can run in. Some ban face paint or glitter entirely. A quick message to the teacher saves a tearful morning at the gate.
Think about the rest of the day
- Children usually wear costumes through lessons and lunch, so anything wider than their shoulders gets in the way at a desk.
- Make headpieces removable and send a labelled bag for them, because they're the first thing to come off.
- Dress for a quick trip to the toilet: no all-in-one pieces fastened at the back for younger kids.
- Pack a spare top in case face makeup or hair colour rubs off onto the collar.
One Clear Forecast Per Child Beats a Busy Costume
From sunshine to tropical storm, every forecast here works the same way. Pick one clear weather symbol for each person, then repeat its colour in the clothes, makeup, headpiece, prop and shoes. Felt, tulle, craft foam and polyester stuffing do almost all the work, and short, well-attached decorations survive a parade far better than long dangling ones. Dress one child as a single forecast, pair two up, or build a whole weather system for the family. Keep it light, keep it secure, and check the morning's actual forecast before you leave the house.
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