Halloween Costume Swap & Fundraiser 2025

GROVE YOUTH BUSINESS 

Halloween Costume Swap & Fundraiser

Presented by: 

In Partnership with:

• Coconut Grove BID
• Coconut Grove Chamber of Commerce
• Coconut Grove Kiwanis Club
• Local Schools, Nonprofits, and Civic Groups

Proposed Date: October 11, 2025
Location: TBD

🎃 Purpose

The History of National Costume Swap Day

This holiday was created in 2010 by Green Halloween—a movement designed to encourage people to swap costumes with each other to reduce waste and save money. Swapping costumes is a green way for people to extend their fantasy closets but do it without having a massive impact on the environment or their wallet.

To celebrate Halloween through a creative, inclusive, and educational experience that uplifts Coconut Grove’s youth and community. This event offers a mix of costume swapping, youth entrepreneurship, sustainable crafting, entertainment, and local fundraising—all powered by the fun and cashless Grove Dollars system.

👻 Event Features

🧥 Costume Swap Booths

Bring a costume—take a costume! Youth and families trade gently-used outfits using Grove Dollars.

 DIY Costume Creation Station

Led by local art/fashion programs and volunteers, participants create unique costume pieces using recycled and donated materials.

Mini Costume Fashion Show

Open runway for kids and teens to showcase their style—upcycled, handmade, or store-bought. Prizes awarded, Grove Dollar “votes” accepted from the audience.

 Youth Vendor Marketplace

Students and youth groups sell:

• Handmade costume accessories
• DIY Halloween decorations made from pool noodles, cardboard, and recycled materials (fun, sustainable, and creative!)

Game Zone – Hosted by Civic Groups & Clubs

Fun, family-friendly games like:

• Pumpkin ring toss
• Noodle sword duels
• Ghost bean bag toss
• Build-a-monster corner
  All games payable with Grove Dollars.

 Live DJ & Youth Karaoke Corner

• Halloween hits, family favorites, and kid-friendly dance tracks
• Karaoke fun for all ages
• Hosted by local DJ + MC team

💵 Grove Dollars: Our Community Currency

💡 How It Works

• Purchase Grove Dollars at the entry booth ($5 and $10 booklets)
• Use them at all activity stations, vendor booths, games, and snack tables
• No cash is exchanged on-site
• Schools and nonprofits redeem Grove Dollars collected at the end for fundraising reimbursement or credit

Benefits

• Promotes equity, safety, and simplicity
• Teaches budgeting and small business skills
• Encourages family participation in every part of the event
• Adds value to every Grove Dollar spent

 Community Partnerships & Support

 Coconut Grove BID & Chamber Businesses

• Donate prizes or sponsor activities
• Offer in-store treats or deals for Grove Dollar holders
• Sponsor a booth or DJ/Karaoke Corner
• Promote event on storefronts and online

🤝 Kiwanis, Civic Clubs, and Nonprofits

• Host and staff games and activity booths
• Provide volunteers or sponsor materials
• Give awards (e.g., “Kiwanis Kindness Costume” or “Best Upcycled Design”)

 Schools & Youth Organizations

• Host vendor/fundraiser booths
• Organize costume drives or Grove Dollar pre-sales
• Engage students in designing costumes, crafts, or game stations
• Create and sell recycled DIY Halloween decorations—a great student project!

 Community Benefits

• Youth develop creativity, leadership, and entrepreneurial skills
• Environmental responsibility is promoted through costume reuse and DIY crafts
• Families enjoy an affordable and festive celebration
• Schools and nonprofits raise needed funds
• Businesses and civic leaders connect with local families in a fun and meaningful way

How to Get Involved

For Schools & Youth Groups:

• Host a vendor/fundraising booth
• Sell Grove Dollars ahead of time as a school fundraiser
• Organize costume and recycled material drives
• Sign up students to design Halloween decorations or perform in karaoke/fashion show

For Businesses & Civic Groups:

• Donate prizes or gift cards
• Sponsor booths or entertainment
• Provide volunteers or host a game station
• Offer Grove Dollar discounts or in-store goodies during event week

 Contact Us

[Your Name]
[Organization Name]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Website or Social Media]

Let’s come together for a safe, spooky, sustainable, and unforgettable Halloween in the heart of Coconut Grove!

🎃 DIY Halloween Décor Guide

Sustainable Spooky Crafts for Kids & Teens
All made from pool noodles, cardboard, and recycled materials

🧙‍♀️ 1. Noodle Witch Broomsticks

Materials:

• Brown pool noodles or cardboard tube
• Paper bags or raffia
• Twine or ribbon
• Scissors & glue

Instructions:

1. Cut paper bag strips for the broom’s bristles.
2. Wrap and glue them to one end of the noodle or tube.
3. Tie tightly with twine.
4. Add ribbon or glitter for flair.

🪙 Suggested Price: 3 Grove Dollars

👀 2. Noodle Mummies

Materials:

• White or gray pool noodles (or cut pieces)
• Gauze, tissue paper, or old fabric strips
• Googly eyes
• Hot glue or tape

Instructions:

1. Wrap fabric or gauze around a short section of pool noodle.
2. Leave space for the eyes and glue them on.
3. Use markers to add stitches or spooky expressions.

Suggested Price: 2 Grove Dollars

3. Creepy Cardboard Window Silhouettes

Materials:

• Recycled cardboard boxes
• Pencil, black paint or markers
• Scissors/X-Acto knife (adult supervision)
• Glow sticks or orange paper backing (optional)

Instructions:

1. Sketch and cut out silhouettes: bats, cats, ghosts, haunted houses.
2. Paint black.
3. Optional: tape tissue paper behind the shapes for a stained-glass look.
4. Hang in windows with tape or string.

 Suggested Price: 5 Grove Dollars (multi-pack)

💀 4. Skeleton Signs or Door Hangers

Materials:

• Cardboard
• White paint or chalk
• Twine
• Hole punch or scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut cardboard into tombstone or bone shapes.
2. Decorate with spooky phrases (“Boo!”, “Keep Out!”).
3. Punch a hole at the top and string twine through.
4. Hang on doors or booths!

 Suggested Price: 1–3 Grove Dollars

👣 5. Monster Feet (Wearables!)

Materials:

• Cardboard
• Markers or paint
• Velcro or elastic
• Scissors

Instructions:

1. Trace and cut out large foot shapes (ogre, monster, dinosaur).
2. Decorate with claws, scales, etc.
3. Attach elastic or Velcro straps so kids can wear them over their shoes.

 Suggested Price: 4 Grove Dollars

🎭 6. Cardboard Mask-Making Kits

Materials:

• Pre-cut cardboard mask shapes
• Recycled paper, yarn, glitter, feathers, stickers
• Markers or paints
• Elastic string

Instructions (for kits):

1. Bundle a blank mask + 3–5 decorative items.
2. Add a simple instruction card.
3. Let kids decorate at home or on-site.

🪙 Suggested Price: 3–5 Grove Dollars (depending on kit contents)

👻 Bonus Activity Table Ideas (On-Site Only)

• “Make & Take” Monster Noodle Workshop
• Paint Your Own Gravestone Signs
• Witch Hat Ring Toss (Game + Decor Combo)