Green Halloween Mermaid Costumes: Ethical Ideas for Bristol & Bath Kids

Children love the magic of mermaids, but fast‑fashion costumes are bad news for the ocean. A recent study into Halloween waste found that 83% of shop‑bought costumes are made from non‑recyclable oil‑based plastics. That’s around 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste – the equivalent of 83 million bottles. Instead of feeding landfill, this guide helps you create a mermaid outfit that’s both imaginative and sustainable. We’ll look at why conventional costumes cause environmental harm, where to find eco‑friendly materials in Bristol and Bath, and how to involve kids in the creative process. Whether you’re preparing for Halloween, a party or just a day of dress‑up, you’ll learn practical steps for a greener mermaid adventure.

Why Sustainable Costumes Matter

Conventional fancy‑dress outfits are often made from polyester and other petrochemical

fibres. Polyester can take 20–200 years to decompose, and the fashion industry already accounts for about 10% of global carbon emissions. Each year around seven million Halloween costumes are thrown away in the UK, contributing roughly 2,000 tonnes of plastic waste. Washing synthetic fabrics also releases tiny plastic fibres – about 500,000 tonnes enter the oceans annually. When you choose natural fibres or reuse materials, you reduce demand for virgin plastic and help cut carbon and microfibre pollution.

Sustainable dress‑up also saves money and encourages creativity. Local councils in Bath and North East Somerset encourage residents to repair garments, donate unwanted clothes and buy second‑hand. Reusing and upcycling materials teaches children to value resources and sparks their imagination.

Gather Materials: Local Sources for Eco‑Friendly Costume Components

Raid your wardrobe and charity shops: Before buying anything new, check wardrobes, toy boxes and linen cupboards for fabric that can be repurposed into a tail or accessories. Old sequinned skirts, scarves and bed linens can become shimmering scales. Bristol’s reuse shops at Avonmouth, Hartcliffe Way and St Philips diverted over 85,000 unwanted items into reuse in 2024. These shops sell everything from fabrics and craft supplies to toys, often at low prices. Buying second‑hand reduces waste and supports local reuse schemes.

Visit the Children’s Scrapstore: The Bristol City Council promotes the Children’s Scrapstore, a charity that collects surplus materials from businesses and makes them available for art and play. You might find sequins, netting or foam to build fins and accessories. Membership is inexpensive and the treasure‑hunt element can turn sourcing into a fun family outing.

Borrow from the Library of Things: Bath’s Share and Repair initiative runs a repair café and a library of things at 3 York Buildings, George Street, Bath BA1 2EB. You can borrow sewing machines or glue guns to assemble your costume rather than buying new tools. The initiative also hosts repair sessions so you can fix or adapt clothing with expert help.

Check reuse shops for props: Bristol Waste’s reuse shops stock toys, books and household items. Look for plastic‑free props like shells, baskets or ropes that fit an underwater theme. Always prioritise second‑hand before considering new purchases. Design Your Mermaid Costume

Creating a mermaid outfit at home is easier than you might think. Here are some practical ideas that minimise plastic and keep costs down:

1. Upcycled tail: Cut an old sequinned skirt or dress into a tapered shape that hugs the legs and flares out at the bottom. Attach extra fabric or thrifted scarves to create fins. Elastic waistbands provide comfort and flexibility. For extra sparkle, sew on second-hand beads or recycled glass gems.

2. Felt or wool scales: Natural fibres like felt, cotton or wool biodegrade at end of life. Cut oval shapes from colourful fabric scraps and sew them onto a base skirt or leggings. Overlap the pieces like fish scales to create texture. Involve children in choosing colours and arranging the layers.

3. Netting overlay: Reuse fruit nets or leftover tulle from old costumes to add a translucent overlay. Drape the netting over the tail and secure it with thread or safety pins. Avoid synthetic glitter nets – microplastics easily shed into washing machines.

4. Shell crown and accessories: Collect shells from previous beach trips or buy them second-hand. Glue them onto a reusable headband or tie them onto cotton cord to make a crown and necklace. For an eco-friendly shimmer, choose biodegradable glitter made from plant cellulose rather than plastic.

5. Natural face paint: Conventional face paints often contain petrochemicals and synthetic dyes. Opt for natural brands made with mineral pigments or follow online recipes using cocoa powder, turmeric and beetroot. Always patch-test on a small area first.

Remember to avoid single-use adhesives and plastic sequins. Use thread, reusable fasteners or biodegradable glue instead. Keep all offcuts and leftover materials for future crafts or donate them to local reuse centres.

Involve Your Child in the Process

Letting children take part in planning and building their costume fosters creativity and environmental awareness. Give them choice over colours and fabrics, show them how to use basic sewing tools, and talk about why sustainable choices matter. Many families in the UK buy new Halloween costumes every year and wear them only once. By involving kids in making something unique, you challenge the throwaway culture and encourage care.

If you need guidance, Bath City Farm runs after-school and Saturday clubs where children explore 37 acres of farmland, cook, build fires and take part in crafts. These sessions emphasise connection to nature and could inspire your little mermaid’s interest in wildlife. You can pair a farm visit with a trip to Bristol’s Clevedon Marine Lake, a tidal infinity pool where families swim, paddle-board or go crabbing. Being near the water and learning about marine life deepens the ocean theme of your costume.

Local Spotlight: Bristol and Bath Inspirations

Clevedon Marine Lake: This salt-water pool near Bristol is open almost every day and refreshed by the high tide. Families swim, paddle-board and canoe alongside a community of year-round cold-water swimmers. The lake relies on donations and volunteers; checking the tide times via the official website ensures a safe visit. Use the trip as a research mission – observe how light refracts under water and mimic those patterns in your costume’s fabric.

Bath City Farm: Situated on 37 acres of hillside in Bath, this community farm offers after-school and Saturday clubs where children care for animals, dig in the soil, cook over open fires and create crafts. The farm’s emphasis on nature connection makes it a perfect backdrop for mermaid storytelling. After crafting your costume, visit the farm’s animals and discuss how plastic pollution affects marine and terrestrial habitats.

Reuse Shops and Share & Repair: Bristol Waste’s reuse shops diverted tens of thousands of items from landfill. Bath’s Share and Repair hub offers a library of things and repair cafés. These resources make sustainable living more accessible. When sourcing costume materials or tools, consider these options before buying new. They demonstrate how community initiatives can reduce waste and support creativity.

Parent Prep Checklist

- Plan ahead: Start gathering materials at least two weeks before the event to allow time for sourcing and sewing.

- Measure twice: Take your child’s waist, hip and length measurements to ensure a comfortable fit.

- Choose natural fibres: Favour cotton, linen, wool or bamboo fabrics. Avoid polyester and PVC.

• Visit reuse centres: Stop by Bristol reuse shops, the Children’s Scrapstore or Bath’s Share and Repair to pick up fabrics, tools and decorations.

• Set a budget: Agree on a spending limit with your child. Upcycling is cost-effective; remind them that creativity matters more than buying new.

• Test face paints: Patch-test any natural face paint or body glitter 24 hours before wearing.

• Prepare for the weather: If trick-or-treating, add layers underneath or choose thicker fabrics to stay warm.

• Pack a repair kit: Bring safety pins, thread and a small needle on the day in case anything comes loose.

• Capture memories: Plan a photo shoot at Clevedon Marine Lake or another local spot to celebrate your sustainable creation.

Eco Swap Tip

Swap plastic sequins and synthetic glitter for biodegradable alternatives made from cellulose or naturally tinted sugar. They provide the same sparkle without releasing microplastics into waterways. You can find eco glitter at local zero-waste shops or make your own by colouring coarse sugar with natural food dyes and letting it dry. Sprinkle it over your costume or use it for crafts, then compost any leftovers.

Ready to Make Waves?

Designing an ethical mermaid costume is an opportunity to learn about sustainability and local communities. By using second-hand materials, supporting reuse initiatives and tapping

When your costume is complete, consider booking one of our enchanting mermaid parties through our party booking page or exploring the adventures of Ruby Rockpool in our Ru byRockpool books. Together we can make Halloween greener and teach children that

Explore our Ruby Rockpool books for ocean-loving stories. Caring for the sea starts with the choices we make.

Social Teaser Captions

1. Transform old fabrics into a shimmering mermaid tail and plan a green Halloween with our Bristol and Bath eco-guide.

2. Did you know 83% of store-bought costumes contain non-recyclable plastic? Learn to make your own mermaid outfit and support local reuse shops.

3. From Bath City Farm adventures to Clevedon Marine Lake inspiration, discover ethical mermaid dress-up ideas for ocean-loving kids.