Teletubbies are one of the easiest groups to read at a party, because the whole costume comes down to four colors, four antenna shapes and one silver square on the tummy. Get those three things right and almost any base works, from a plush jumpsuit to a hoodie you already own. Below you'll find the classic quartet, quick DIY versions, warm and cold weather builds, couples, families, babies and even a dog. I've noted where each one tends to go wrong, because with this character the small details (a floppy antenna, a screen that wrinkles, a purple that turns out blue in photos) are what decide whether people get it.
Antennas That Stand Up on a Soft Hood
The antenna is what tells people which Teletubby you are, and it's the part that fails first. Tinky Winky's is a triangle, Dipsy's a straight stick, Laa-Laa's a curl and Po's a loop. A plush hood has nothing firm to hold them, so a bare foam shape glued to fleece will lean over within the hour.
My method is to mount each antenna on a plain plastic headband and wear the headband under the hood, with the antenna poking out through a small slit or a buttonhole stitched into the hood. The headband takes the weight and the hood just covers it. If you'd rather not cut the hood, a few hand stitches through the base of the antenna into the hood fabric hold far better than glue.
- Triangle and stick: cut from craft foam or thin EVA foam, with a bamboo skewer or plastic strip glued inside for a spine. Trim and cap the point.
- Curl and loop: wrap pipe cleaner or soft craft wire in felt and bend the shape. Foam alone won't hold a curve, but wire will, and you can bend it back after a squash.
- Weight: keep each one light enough that it doesn't pull the hood back off your forehead. If it does, it's too tall.
- Children's versions: stuffed felt with no wire at all, so nothing can poke an eye when they're grabbed.
Hot glue is fine for joining foam to foam, but I wouldn't trust it alone for anything you'll wear outside. It goes brittle in cold air and snaps off the headband, usually just as you leave the house.
1. Classic Teletubbies Group Costume
Assign Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po by color: purple, green, yellow and red. Each person wears a plush hooded jumpsuit with a silver rectangle on the belly and the right antenna on the hood. I tuck everyone's hair fully inside the hood, since a fringe poking out breaks that round, smooth face shape the characters have. Rosy cheeks and a dewy base are plenty. The props do the rest: red bag, black-and-white hat, orange ball and the pink-and-blue scooter, with slip-ons or sneakers hidden under fabric shoe covers.
2. Tinky Winky Purple Teletubbies Costume
Tinky Winky is the strongest solo pick, since nobody mistakes that triangle antenna for anything else. A loose purple fleece jumpsuit or a matching hoodie and sweatpants is the base. I fix the silver rectangle with sew-on hook-and-loop rather than fabric glue, because glue on fleece pulls away at the corners within an hour of moving around. A foam triangle on the hood, round pink blush and a touch of highlighter finish the face. The red handbag is the one prop I'd never skip, and it doubles as your pocket for the night. Purple socks and roomy, comfortable sneakers keep the color running to the floor.
3. Dipsy Green Teletubbies Costume
Dipsy is mostly about the antenna: one straight stick, and it has to stand straight. That's harder than it sounds on a soft hood, so I glue the foam to a strip of plastic or a bamboo skewer with the point trimmed off and the end capped. The rest is easy. A green onesie, a fleece set, or an oversized sweatshirt with matching pants, plus a neat silver rectangle on the stomach. A little green eyeliner echoes the costume without hiding your face. The black-and-white hat is Dipsy's prop, and green sneakers or soft boot covers carry the color down to your feet.
4. Laa-Laa Yellow Teletubbies Costume
Laa-Laa's curl is the fiddliest of the four antennas to make look right. A flat foam spiral flops, so I wrap a pipe cleaner or soft craft wire in yellow felt and bend the curl from that, which holds its shape and can be reshaped if someone sits on it. The base is a yellow fleece jumpsuit or a hoodie with joggers, with a silver belly rectangle in metallic fabric or removable vinyl. Peach blush and a glossy neutral lip suit the yellow better than pink does on most skin tones. Carry the orange ball, and keep it light enough to toss into a group photo without anyone flinching.
5. Po Red Teletubbies Costume
Po is the smallest Teletubby, so this is the one I'd hand to whoever wants the cutest, least fussy costume. A red onesie, a hooded jumpsuit, or a sweatshirt with joggers all do the job. The square screen sits centered on the stomach, and the loop antenna is easiest made from covered wire bent into a circle so it doesn't sag. Long hair goes into a braid under the hood, or under a red wig cap if the hood is shallow. Pink blush and lip balm are enough. If the party is crowded, carry a small toy scooter rather than a ride-on one, and finish with red socks and flat red sneakers.
6. DIY Sweatshirt Teletubbies Group Costume
This is the version I suggest most often, because four people can pull it together from hoodies and sweatpants in one shopping trip. Cut four silver screens from metallic felt and attach them with safety pins from the inside so nothing shows. The triangle, stick, curl and loop antennas go on matching headbands made from craft foam. One rule I hold the group to: same brand or same style of hoodie for everyone. Four different cuts, hoods and pocket shapes make the quartet look accidental, while four identical silhouettes in four colors look planned.
7. Fleece Onesie Teletubbies Group Costume
Fleece onesies are the comfortable choice, and they're warm enough that you'll want to plan around it. I buy them a size up with a front zip, which leaves room for a thermal layer outside and lets you cool off indoors without undressing. Sew rather than glue the silver panels; fleece pile stops most adhesives gripping. Everyone uses the same simple face: dewy skin, round blush, clear gloss. Give each character one light prop, add fuzzy socks with supportive slip-on sneakers, and the group is set for a chilly evening handing out candy.
8. Glam Teletubbies Women’s Group Costume
For a dressier party, swap the plush for fitted long-sleeve jumpsuits in the four shades, each with a silver panel at the waist. Faux-fur shrugs or cropped jackets add texture. Hair goes up in sleek high ponytails with the antennas on satin-covered headbands, since hoods would hide the styling. I match each eyeshadow to the jumpsuit color, keep lashes soft and finish with gloss. Mini versions of the bag, hat, ball and scooter are easier to hold with a drink in hand. Opaque tights and stable platform ankle boots keep everyone upright on a dance floor.
9. Y2K Teletubbies Group Costume
Velour tracksuits push the quartet into early-2000s territory. Choose zip jackets and wide-leg pants in the four colors, and put the silver screen on a fitted tank underneath instead of on the jacket. That way the costume still reads when the jacket hangs open, which it will by the second hour. High ponytails, colorful clips or small space buns sit nicely under slim antenna headbands. Frosted shadow and shiny gloss sell the era. Chunky white sneakers and socks in each character's color tie the four together.
10. Sporty Teletubbies Group Costume
Athletic pieces are the coolest and most mobile option for a long outdoor event. Monochrome tracksuits or sports tops with joggers in the four colors make the base, with silver panels cut from breathable metallic fabric so they don't trap sweat. I put the antennas on baseball caps here, because a cap brim keeps foam shapes steadier than a headband when you're walking fast. Tinted moisturizer, waterproof mascara and a circle of blush are all the makeup needed. Cushioned running shoes in white or the character color, plus reflective tape around the screens, help after dark.
11. Tutu Teletubbies Group Costume
Tutus over bodysuits or leggings turn the quartet into something softer and more playful. Attach a metallic screen to each top and wear the antenna headbands over neatly styled hair or wigs. Here's what usually goes wrong: four tutus bought separately come in four lengths and four fullnesses, and the group looks lopsided. I buy them together or trim them to one length. Small face gems add sparkle, opaque tights add warmth, and flat lace-up boots or sneakers beat dance shoes for a full evening on your feet.
12. Pajama Teletubbies Group Costume
For a sleepover or a movie-night party, pajama sets or hooded sleep suits are honestly the most comfortable Teletubbies you can make. Pin a soft felt screen to each top. I avoid poster board or vinyl here, because you'll be lying on cushions and stiff panels crease and dig in. The antenna goes on a sleep cap or padded headband, hair braided or tucked in, with pink blush and tinted balm. Plush versions of the four props suit the cozy theme, and colorful socks with house shoes finish it.
13. Last-Minute T-Shirt Teletubbies Group Costume
Short on time? A solid T-shirt in each color with leggings, jeans or joggers is the base, and a silver poster-board rectangle taped to the front is the screen. Round off the corners, or they'll poke you every time you bend. Pipe cleaners twisted into the four antenna shapes and wrapped around cheap headbands take about ten minutes. Raid the house for props: a red purse, any patterned hat, an orange ball, a small scooter or a cardboard cutout. I'd pick identical white sneakers for all four if matching colored ones aren't already in someone's closet.
14. Cold Weather Teletubbies Group Costume
An outdoor event in late October is where plush jumpsuits stop being enough. Build each character on a puffer coat in its color, with thermal tops and fleece-lined pants underneath. The screen has to be removable, so I use a silver panel backed with safety pins or hook-and-loop that won't puncture the coat's insulation. The antenna moves to a snug beanie, which keeps ears warm. Cold air dries makeup fast, so use a moisturizing base, cream blush and lip balm. Weather-resistant boots and matching gloves finish the group and keep everyone outside longer.
15. Warm Weather Teletubbies Group Costume
In heat, a full fleece suit is miserable within twenty minutes. Swap it for cotton T-shirts with shorts or a relaxed skort in the four colors, a light silver fabric panel and a fabric-covered headband for the antenna. Braids or buns keep hair tidy around the headpiece. I'd use tinted sunscreen, waterproof mascara and cream blush rather than full foundation, which slides in warm weather. Keep the props small and easy to carry. Even without the full-body shape, four solid colors and four antennas still read clearly as the group.
16. Neon Teletubbies Party Costume
Neon bodysuits or top-and-pants sets make the brightest version for a party. Put reflective silver panels on each torso and outline them with battery light strips, choosing LED strips that stay cool, since some cheap ones warm up against the fabric. Antenna headbands covered in fluorescent material sit over sleek ponytails or space buns. Colorful liner, face gems and gloss suit the mood. I always tape battery packs into a pocket or the waistband, because a dangling battery is the first thing to break on a dance floor. White platform sneakers balance the color.
17. Pastel Teletubbies Group Costume
Pastels give the quartet a softer, more modern look: lavender, mint, butter yellow and coral pink. Sweatshirts with matching skirts, pants or shorts are the base. I switch to a pearl-silver panel instead of mirror-bright metallic, because a chrome screen against pastel cotton looks harsh. Padded antenna headbands in the matching shade go over loose waves or ponytails. Pearly shadow and pale gloss suit the colors. Repaint or re-cover each prop in a softer tone so it doesn't clash. White tights or crew socks and clean white sneakers pull the four together. Fair warning: lavender and mint drift away from the characters, so this is for a cute look rather than an exact one.
18. College Friends Teletubbies Group Costume
Oversized sweatshirts with bike shorts, leggings or joggers make an easy campus version for four friends. Use removable screens so the sweatshirts survive as everyday clothes after Halloween; safety pins from the inside leave the smallest marks. Foam antennas go on caps or headbands, with hair braided or tied back. One swipe of liner in your character's color is a fun touch. In crowded parties I'd carry the compact versions of the props, and a small crossbody bag holds your phone without hiding the screen.
19. Office-Friendly Teletubbies Group Costume
Office rules usually mean no full-body suits, so this version keeps it smart. A sweater in your color with tailored trousers or a midi skirt is the base, and a small silver panel pinned to the sweater stands in for the full screen. Antennas sit on structured headbands over a neat bun, ponytail or natural style. Understated makeup suits the setting. I like putting the mini props on desks rather than carrying them; they make the theme obvious in a team photo. Loafers, flats or low boots finish it, and the colors do most of the work.
20. Teacher Teletubbies Group Costume
A teacher group needs costumes that survive a full school day of standing, crouching and hallway duty. Cardigans in the four colors over matching T-shirts, with comfortable black pants or knee-length skirts, give you that. The felt screens go on the T-shirts so the cardigans can come off in a warm classroom. Soft foam antennas on padded headbands won't hurt anyone if a child grabs one, and children will grab them. A red tote, a paper hat, a soft orange ball and a cardboard scooter keep the props classroom-safe. I'd tack every antenna down with a few hand stitches before school rather than relying on glue.
21. Family Of Four Teletubbies Costume
A family of four fits the lineup perfectly. Usually the adults take purple and green, the taller two, and the kids take yellow and red. Adults can wear hooded sweat sets while children wear fleece onesies, as long as the fabric textures are similar; fleece next to shiny satin looks like two different costumes. Matching silver screens and foam antennas go on every hood. Light props suit younger children, so hand the scooter to an older child and the soft bag or ball to the smallest. Sneakers or boot covers with nonslip soles finish the set.
22. Teletubbies Family With Sun Baby Costume
The Sun Baby is the sweetest addition to a family lineup. Four relatives wear the classic purple, green, yellow and red outfits with screens and antennas. The baby or toddler wears a pale yellow footed romper with a soft felt sun-ray collar. I keep that collar short and flexible, cut from felt with no wire, so it can't ride up over the face when the baby slumps in a carrier or car seat. Leave the baby's face and hair natural. The four older characters carry the props, and nonslip booties keep the little one safe on smooth floors.
23. Teletubbies Family With Noo-Noo Costume
With five in the family, the fifth person becomes Noo-Noo, the blue vacuum cleaner. Four wear the classic colored outfits with screens, antennas and props. Noo-Noo wears a blue hooded jumpsuit with gray panels, big friendly eyes on the hood and a flexible orange nose made from lightweight tubing, like a dryer vent hose wrapped in fabric. Keep that nose short; anything longer than a forearm swings into people. Gray gloves and blue sneakers finish it. Round pink blush on everyone keeps the five faces consistent, and a light foam brush attachment helps people place the vacuum.
24. Parent And Child Teletubbies Costume
A parent as tall purple Tinky Winky with a child as small red Po plays on the size difference the characters already have. The parent wears a purple hooded jumpsuit with a triangle antenna, silver screen, red bag and purple sneakers. The child wears a red fleece onesie with the loop antenna, a soft felt belly patch and nonslip red shoes. Braid hair underneath if the hood keeps slipping. I'd keep the scooter as a carried prop rather than a ride on a dark street. Flexible, breathable fabric matters more than accuracy here, since you'll both be walking all night.
25. Tinky Winky And Po Couple Costume
Purple and red is the strongest color contrast of any two Teletubbies, so this couple reads well even in low party light. One partner wears purple with the triangle antenna, the other red with the loop. Both get a silver stomach panel and the same face: fresh base, round blush, clear balm. Matching makeup is what makes two people read as a pair rather than two separate costumes. Tinky Winky carries the red handbag, Po the small scooter. Choose roomy jumpsuits with front zips; you'll be glad of the zip when you need the bathroom.
26. Dipsy And Laa-Laa Couple Costume
Green and yellow are cheerful together, but they sit close in brightness, so this pair depends on the antennas: Dipsy's straight one and Laa-Laa's curl. Both partners wear hooded jumpsuits with matching silver belly panels, or headbands over simple hair if hoods feel too hot. Dipsy carries the black-and-white hat, Laa-Laa the light orange ball. I cut both screens from the same piece of metallic fabric at the same size. That one detail, more than anything, makes the pair look made together.
27. Tinky Winky And Dipsy Best Friends Costume
Two friends picking the taller characters, purple and green, can build this from sweatshirts and joggers in an afternoon. Pin removable silver rectangles to each front, then make a triangle antenna and a straight one from foam on covered headbands. Hair can go in low ponytails or under matching beanies, which also give the antennas a firmer base. Pink cream blush and clear gloss keep both faces matched. One carries the red bag, the other wears or holds the patterned hat. High-top sneakers in each color finish it, and every piece goes back into the closet afterward.
28. Laa-Laa And Po Sisters Costume
Yellow and red make the brightest pair, and it suits sisters or cousins well. Matching long-sleeve tops with tulle skirts and opaque tights give a cute silhouette, with Laa-Laa in yellow and Po in red. Add a silver screen to each top and the curl and loop antennas on headbands. Matching ponytails, braids or buns underline that they belong together. One carries the orange ball, the other a small scooter or a cardboard cutout. I'd buy the two tulle skirts together so the lengths match; a few centimeters difference shows up straight away in full-length photos.
29. Kids Teletubbies Group Costume
For four kids, skip mascot suits and use hooded sweatshirts with leggings or joggers in the four colors. They're cooler, cheaper and easier to run in. I sew the felt screens on rather than pinning them, because pins and a child rolling on the floor don't mix. Foam antennas go on the hoods, hair braided or tucked away. Washable pink cheek color is optional and up to the parents. Props should have no hard edges: a fabric bag, a soft hat, a foam ball, a cardboard scooter. Reflective strips on the sweatshirts help on dark streets.
30. Toddler Teletubbies Group Costume
Toddlers pull at anything that sticks out, so a toddler quartet is all about soft, secure construction. Footless fleece onesies in the four colors are the base, with a silver fabric rectangle sewn flat to each stomach. Make the antennas from stuffed felt with no wire inside; they bend when grabbed and spring back. Hair stays loosely tucked in the hood, and I'd leave makeup off at this age. Plush props, nonslip shoes and hems that clear the floor finish it. Before leaving, give every antenna and panel a firm tug, the way a toddler would.
31. Baby Teletubbies Group Costume
Babies only need four footed rompers in the four colors, in cotton for a warm room or fleece for a cold one. Sew flat silver rectangles onto the stomachs and add small stuffed antennas to soft caps that fit snugly without pressing. No wigs, face paint, glitter or loose trim. I keep the plush bag, hat, ball and scooter beside the babies for photos rather than in their hands, where they end up in mouths. Built-in feet or soft booties finish each one, and the caps come off the moment anyone gets sleepy or warm.
32. Baby Po Teletubbies Costume
Po's red and round loop antenna adapt easily for a single baby. A soft red footed romper with snaps at the bottom keeps diaper changes quick. Sew a flat silver fabric square to the stomach; skip plastic or mirrored pieces, which have edges and can crack. The small padded loop sits on a red cotton cap, well above the eyes. A clean face and natural hair are all that's needed. Set a plush scooter beside the baby for photos, add red booties if the romper is footless, and take the hat off whenever the baby sleeps or gets warm.
33. Owner And Dog Teletubbies Costume
Here the owner is red Po and the dog plays Noo-Noo, the blue vacuum. The owner wears a red hoodie and joggers with a silver screen, loop antenna headband, scooter prop and red sneakers. The dog gets a light blue vest with gray felt panels and a soft orange fabric tube across the back to suggest the vacuum. Nothing should cover the dog's ears, eyes or nose, and no makeup or adhesive goes on fur. I'd try the vest on for a few minutes on a quiet day first. Plenty of dogs won't wear anything, and a blue harness with a gray patch is a fine fallback.
34. Plus Size Teletubbies Group Costume
For a plus size group, I start with fit and comfort and add the character details on top. Jersey jumpsuits, oversized hoodies or tunic-and-legging sets in the four colors all work, and everyone can pick a different base as long as the colors match. Place each silver screen by that person's own torso length; one standard height puts it on the ribs for one person and the hips for another. Antenna headbands suit any hair, or use matching hoods. Lightweight props on adjustable straps, supportive sneakers or wide-fit ankle boots, and matching screen shapes keep the lineup together.
35. Maternity Laa-Laa Teletubbies Costume
Laa-Laa's yellow makes a cheerful maternity costume that adapts to any stage. A stretchy yellow empire-waist dress or long tunic over soft leggings is the base. I place the silver panel above the bump or let it drape gently across, never on a belt, and I attach it with a few stitches so it moves with the fabric. A curled antenna on a padded headband, warm blush and gold-toned shadow suit the yellow. Carry the light orange ball, or clip it to a crossbody strap to keep both hands free. Supportive yellow sneakers with comfortable socks are worth more than any detail here.
36. Men’s Teletubbies Group Costume
A men's group usually wants relaxed pieces, so hoodies and sweatpants in the four colors make the base, with large silver rectangles on the front. Sturdy caps hold foam antennas better than headbands on short hair, which gives a headband nothing to grip. Makeup can be minimal: tinted moisturizer, round pink cheeks, lip balm. Each person takes his character's prop. I'd buy the four sweat sets from the same range so the cut and weight match. Fabric shoe covers in each color turn sneakers you already own into part of the costume.
37. Women’s Fitted Teletubbies Group Costume
Fitted long-sleeve jumpsuits in the four colors give a sleeker group look. Structured silver rectangles sit at the waist, and cropped faux-fur jackets go on top when the night gets cold. Hair goes into high ponytails, buns or smooth waves under satin-covered antenna headbands. Coordinating liner and glossy neutral lips keep the four faces related. Mini props stay practical at a busy party. For shorter cuts, opaque tights add coverage. I keep heels moderate, block heels or platform sneakers, because a stiletto and a foam antenna make an unsteady pair on a crowded floor.
38. Retro 1990s Teletubbies Group Costume
The show started in the late 1990s, and windbreakers with matching track pants lean right into that. Each friend wears one color over a shirt with a metallic screen panel, so the screen shows with the jacket open. Foam antennas go on bucket hats or thick fabric headbands. Crimped sections, scrunchies and center parts add period detail. Pastel shadow and frosted gloss finish the faces. Secondhand athletic separates keep the cost down, but I'd check all four under the same light before committing; thrifted colors fade unevenly and one washed-out green can throw off the whole group.
39. Rainbow Teletubbies Mashup Costume
If you can't pick one character, wear all four. A color-blocked jumpsuit works, or a purple top, green sleeve accents, yellow belt and red pants. A large silver rectangle goes in the center of the torso. The headband carries mini versions of the triangle, stick, curl and loop, and I keep each one under a hand's length, or four antennas fight each other and tip the headband forward. Blend the four colors as liner. A small bag decorated with the hat, ball and scooter, plus white platform sneakers with colored laces, finish this solo version.
40. Teletubbies And Friends Group Costume
Six people can cover the whole cast: the four main characters, the Sun Baby and Noo-Noo. Four wear the colored jumpsuits with screens, antennas, props and matching sneakers. The fifth plays the Sun Baby in pale yellow with a padded ray collar, a glowing face and gold shoes. The sixth is Noo-Noo in blue and gray with friendly hood details, a short flexible orange nose, gray gloves and blue sneakers. Keep every prop light and the faces cheerful rather than theatrical. Six distinct shapes under one clear theme is hard to beat in a costume contest.
A Silver Belly Screen That Doesn't Crinkle
The screen looks simple, but the material you pick changes how the whole costume behaves. Poster board and foil card are quick and very shiny, but they crease the first time you sit down and the corners dig in. I keep them for last-minute T-shirt versions only.
- Metallic spandex or lamé: soft and bendy, moves with fleece. Lamé frays at cut edges, so turn a small hem or back it with fusible interfacing first.
- Silver felt or metallic felt: no fraying and easy to sew on, though it's duller. It's my pick for children and babies.
- Silver vinyl: crisp and shiny, but it doesn't breathe, so keep it small on warm nights.
- Mirror card or plastic: skip it for anyone who'll hug, sit or crawl. It cracks and the edges are sharp.
To attach it, sewn-on hook-and-loop is the most reliable choice on fleece and it lets you take the screen off to wash the suit. Safety pins from the inside are the next best for borrowed or everyday clothes. Iron-on adhesive is risky; most fleece and many metallic fabrics can't take enough heat to bond it.
Getting Four Shades of Purple, Green, Yellow and Red to Agree
Group costumes rarely fail on the idea. They fail on the colors. A purple from one shop can look blue under party lights, and a red can lean orange next to Laa-Laa's yellow. Put all four bases next to each other in daylight before cutting or attaching anything, and then check them again under warm indoor light.
I aim for four colors of similar strength: four bright primaries or four soft pastels, never a mix. Buying all four pieces from the same range is the easiest fix, since the fabric, the sheen and the dye depth will match. If one piece is thrifted or borrowed, build the others around it rather than hoping it blends.
Four Colors, Four Antennas, One Silver Square
A good Teletubbies costume is mostly color discipline and comfort. Plush jumpsuits give the classic shape, but sweat sets, dresses, tracksuits and tutus work just as well when the silver screen, the antenna shape, the rosy cheeks and the prop are right. For groups, I settle the fabric, the screen size and the antenna method before anyone buys anything. For children, babies and pets, soft materials and secure stitching come before accuracy every time. Pick the version that fits your weather and your crowd, and get the four antennas standing straight.
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