Camp Green Lake is one of the most forgiving themes I know for Halloween, book week and movie nights, because the whole story runs on orange workwear, dust and a handful of props. The campers are the obvious choice, but the book also gives you the staff, the Old West townspeople of Green Lake, and a few objects and creatures that make funny solo costumes. That range means one class, one family or one couple can all dress from the same story without anyone repeating. I always swap real shovels for foam or cardboard ones, and I use brown powder for desert dust because it brushes off at the end of the night. Below are thirty looks, from Stanley and Zero to the Warden and the yellow-spotted lizards, each built from pieces that are easy to find.
Matching the Camp Orange Across a Group
Orange is the hardest part of this theme to get right, and the easiest to get wrong in a group. Buy shirts and pants for six kids from three different places and you'll end up with six oranges: one neon, one rust, one nearly red. In a photo that reads as six random people, not one camp. This is how I get everyone into the same shade.
- Buy the shirts together, from one batch, if you're dressing a class or a family. If people already own orange tees, line them up in daylight before anyone commits.
- Thrifted coveralls and work pants make the most convincing base. Look in the workwear and safety sections, where the orange tends to be a dull, practical shade that suits the story better than bright party orange.
- Dyeing white cotton is the cheapest route for a big group. Cotton takes ordinary dye evenly, while polyester barely takes it at all, so check the label before you buy blanks.
- Wash dyed pieces on their own a couple of times first. Fresh dye bleeds, and you don't want orange running into the yellow socks.
The yellow socks matter more than people expect. They're only a small flash of colour at the ankle, but they make the uniform look deliberate rather than accidental, and they're one of the cheapest pieces in the whole costume.
1. Stanley Yelnats Costume
Stanley is the costume I'd hand a first-timer, because almost every piece is a basic. An orange coverall is the fastest route; failing that, pair an orange T-shirt with orange work pants and let a white undershirt show at the neck. Yellow crew socks, worn sneakers, a red-orange cap and a curly brown wig cover the rest. I dust matte bronzer or brown eyeshadow over the cheeks, forehead and forearms, and a hand-lettered “Caveman” patch tells people who he is in a crowded room. Add a labelled water jug and a small foam shovel, and stick to lightweight cotton if he'll be indoors for hours, since a heated party gets warm fast in a coverall.
2. Zero Costume
Zero is quiet, so his costume has to do the talking with props. The base is an orange T-shirt, loose orange work pants, yellow socks and black sneakers, worn a size big so it hangs like issued uniform rather than something new. For his cropped hair, a short dark wig or a close black knit cap saves anyone a haircut. I rub a little dust makeup into the neck and hands, because spotless skin next to a dusty shirt is what gives a store-bought costume away. Write “Zero” in big letters on a plastic jug and tuck a notebook and pencil under his arm for the reading lessons; for school, drop the shovel and carry a handmade alphabet booklet instead.
3. Stanley And Zero Couple Costume
For the pair, I match the uniform first and split the props second. Both wear orange tees or coveralls, yellow socks, sturdy sneakers and orange caps. Stanley gets the curly wig, the “Caveman” patch and the foam shovel; Zero gets short dark hair, his labelled jug and a small notebook. A cardboard mountain sign for Stanley and a jar marked “Sploosh” for Zero say friendship to anyone who has read the book, and that makes a better photo than acting out the climb. Washable brown fabric powder on both shirts ties them together.
4. X-Ray Costume
X-Ray wears the same uniform as everyone else, so the difference has to sit on his face. Round glasses with clear lenses are the joke, since he's the camper who can barely see. Add the orange shirt and pants, yellow socks, black sneakers and cap, dust the knees and elbows, and put “X-Ray” on the chest or the jug. A cardboard tube painted gold makes the lipstick case found in the lake bed, and a foam shovel rounds him out. Check the frames sit snugly over the ears; loose novelty glasses slide down the nose every time a kid looks at the ground.
5. Armpit Costume
The nickname does most of the work here, so I make the patch big and sew it on rather than trusting tape. A faded orange tank or tee, loose orange cargo pants, yellow socks and rugged sneakers form the base, with an orange cap, a short dark wig and some dusty brown makeup. A rolled bandana at the neck is the one detail that sets Armpit apart in a line of campers. Round off the corners of a cardboard shovel, or swap it for a reusable canteen if the school has a no-props rule. Weather the clothes with washable fabric chalk; cutting or staining them means you can't hand them down next year.
6. Squid Costume
Squid is the budget pick of the camper set. An orange crewneck, matching utility pants and a white undershirt peeking at the neckline, plus yellow socks, scuffed sneakers and an orange cap, and tousled hair or a short brown wig. I put matte brown powder on the temples, arms and pant legs, and I letter “Squid” on the water container in thick black marker so it reads from across a gym. A cardboard measuring stick marked at five feet is a nice nod to how deep every hole had to be. Leave the clothes loose for a class performance; tight orange pants split when kids sit cross-legged.
7. Magnet Costume
Magnet earns his name by pocketing things, which gives you a much better prop than another shovel. Over the standard orange shirt, pants, yellow socks, black sneakers and faded cap, add dust makeup and a “Magnet” patch. Then cut a big horseshoe magnet from cardboard, paint it red with silver tips, and stick a few paper odds and ends to it with removable tape. A small canvas belt bag for his collected loot and a labelled jug keep him in the camp. I keep the horseshoe about the size of a dinner plate, since anything bigger becomes a chore to hold all night. Strict prop rules? Print a magnet symbol on the shirt and carry only the jug.
8. Zigzag Costume
Zigzag is the camper with the wild hair, so a messy light-brown or blond wig matters more than anything else. Pair it with the orange work shirt and pants, yellow socks, sneakers and an orange cap. I cut a zigzag patch from black felt and stitch it to the chest, because felt glued straight onto a poly-cotton shirt tends to peel after the first hug. Brown cream makeup on the cheeks and forearms plus washable chalk on the clothes gives the worn look, and a foam shovel with a zigzag painted on the handle repeats the motif. A jug labelled “Zigzag” is a second clue. Don't go too ragged with the tearing: he should look tired from digging and still be neat enough for a library event.
9. Twitch Costume
Twitch is a good fill-in when a group needs one more camper. He's the restless one, so I add small zigzag motion lines in black felt near the sleeves rather than asking the wearer to act it out all evening. The rest is the camp base: faded orange tee, loose orange pants, yellow socks, work sneakers, an orange cap and slightly messy short hair. Put a “Twitch” label on the shirt, the canteen, or both, and dust the face and clothes with light brown powder. A flexible foam shovel and a cardboard camp assignment card finish him. He reads best standing beside Stanley and Zero, so put him in the middle of a group photo.
10. Barf Bag Costume
Barf Bag sounds gross, and it's easy to keep it family-friendly. He wears the usual orange shirt and pants, yellow socks, worn sneakers and cap, with only light dust makeup. The prop is a clean paper lunch bag lettered with his nickname and stuffed with tissue paper, never food. Add a printed patch, a plastic canteen and a soft foam shovel. A white wrap around one ankle hints at his trouble at camp without any wound makeup. Kids like this one because the joke is in the name, so the outfit itself can stay plain.
11. Camp Green Lake Group Costume
For a group, I settle the shared uniform before anyone picks a character: orange shirts or coveralls, orange caps, yellow socks and sturdy sneakers for all. Then each person claims a nickname from Caveman, Zero, X-Ray, Armpit, Squid, Magnet, Zigzag and Twitch. Wigs, patches, canteens and bandanas separate them, and one shared tub of brown powder plus washable chalk gives everyone the same dust. Keep the shovels foam, the measuring sticks cardboard and the jugs empty, because full ones get heavy by the second hour. One person carrying a handmade Camp Green Lake sign makes every photo read at a glance.
12. The Warden Costume
The Warden is the clean, sharp contrast to all that dusty orange. I build her on a fitted khaki button-down, matching utility pants, a brown belt and tall lace-up boots, with a wide-brim sun hat over long red waves, real or wig. Makeup stays neat: defined brows, neutral eyeshadow and a deep berry lip, because her polish is part of what makes her unsettling. Gold studs, tinted sunglasses, a clipboard with a pretend digging chart and a cardboard gold lipstick tube carry the rest, along with a fabric “Warden” badge. Leave out anything that hints at violence. A teacher playing the Warden next to a class of campers is my favourite version of this one.
13. Mr. Sir Costume
Mr. Sir should look overdressed for the sun. A beige short-sleeve uniform shirt, khaki cargo pants, a heavy brown belt and rugged lace-up boots make the base; a broad-brim hat, aviators and a dark mustache make the man. A curly brown wig helps if your own hair is short. Keep his face clean apart from a touch of bronzer, because the staff should never look as dusty as the boys. His sunflower seeds are the detail people remember, so fill a labelled paper pouch and add a “Mr. Sir” badge. I'd use an empty plastic jug and foam props, since he'll carry them for hours, and he pairs naturally with the Warden and Mr. Pendanski.
14. Mr. Pendanski Costume
Mr. Pendanski is the easiest staff costume because it comes out of an ordinary closet. A pale button-down, khaki pants, a brown belt and desert boots or loafers, plus round glasses, combed hair and a clip-on staff badge. I give him a clipboard listing pretend camper goals, a pen and a reusable bottle, with a sun hat tucked under one arm and only light bronzer on the face. Under the official badge, a little “Mom” tag is the joke the campers will get. Teachers like this one because it needs no big prop and lets them move freely all day, and it slots straight into a staff-and-students group.
15. Camp Green Lake Staff Group Costume
Three adults can cover the whole camp staff. The Warden wears fitted khaki, tall boots, a wide-brim hat, red hair and deep lipstick. Mr. Sir has cargo pants, sunglasses, the mustache, rugged boots and his sunflower-seed pouch, while Mr. Pendanski wears a lighter button-down, glasses and khakis with a counselor's clipboard. Name badges, a light water bottle each and one shared cardboard digging map link the three. I keep the colours in the same khaki family but vary the silhouettes so they don't look like three copies of one person. It suits teachers, coworkers, or parents walking with kids dressed as Stanley, Zero and the D-tent boys.
16. Kissin’ Kate Barlow Outlaw Costume
Kissin' Kate Barlow can be the most dramatic look in the set without a single weapon. I start with a long black or deep burgundy skirt, a high-neck white blouse and a fitted dark vest, then add a cropped duster, low-heeled Western boots and a broad black hat. Blond hair goes in loose waves or a low, slightly undone bun. The red lip is the story clue, so it's the one makeup step I wouldn't skip; blot it and dust a little powder over the tissue so it doesn't end up on every cup. A rolled wanted poster, an old-style money pouch with a “KB” monogram and a cardboard treasure map finish her. Hem the skirt so it clears the floor, or she'll be stepping on it on every staircase.
17. Katherine Barlow Teacher Costume
Before the outlaw, there was the schoolteacher, and her costume is softer and tidier. A high-neck ivory blouse, an ankle-length blue or brown skirt, a fitted waistcoat and buttoned ankle boots set the period. I keep her blond hair in a neat low bun, with rosy cheeks and a natural pink lip. She carries a stack of old-looking schoolbooks, a small chalkboard and a stick of white chalk, plus a vintage satchel for the wearer's own phone and keys. A cameo-style brooch or a narrow ribbon tie finishes the collar. Don't distress anything here, since she hasn't been through the desert yet, and add a name card for book day.
18. Sam The Onion Man Costume
Sam sells onions and fixes things, and his costume should look like he does both. A cream henley, brown suspenders, tan work trousers and weathered lace-up boots, with a soft brown vest and a wide-brim hat. Bronzer gives him an outdoor finish. Carry a shallow basket of artificial onions with a hand-lettered “Sam's Onions” sign, and a fabric tool pouch filled with cardboard tools; a green bandana at the neck adds a bit of colour. He's clearer standing next to Katherine Barlow. Glue the fake onions to the basket floor, because loose ones end up rolling under tables within the hour.
19. Katherine Barlow And Sam Couple Costume
This couple tells the old Green Lake love story, so I build both outfits from the same brown and ivory palette. Katherine takes the high-neck blouse, long blue skirt, fitted vest, button boots and neat blond bun, with schoolbooks and a small chalkboard. Sam wears a cream work shirt, suspenders, brown trousers, lace-up boots and a wide-brim hat, carrying his onion basket and a cardboard repair kit. Keep her makeup rosy and his bronzed. Matching brown leather-look belts and bags link them when they drift apart at a party, and the props explain who they are when they're together.
20. Madame Zeroni Costume
I treat Madame Zeroni as a storybook elder and keep the pieces general rather than borrowing from any real culture's dress. A long plum dress, a textured brown shawl, lace-up boots and a solid-colour fabric head wrap form the outfit, with a gray-streaked wig in a low bun. For age, I use soft shading around the eyes and cheeks instead of prosthetics; a few brushed lines read better under party lights than anything heavy. She carries a small wicker basket with a plush piglet and some artificial peaches. A lightweight foam walking stick works if the venue allows it. Keep jewelry minimal, and a little mountain sign helps people place her in the Yelnats family story.
21. Elya Yelnats Costume
Elya is a harder character to place, so I lean on his piglet. A collarless white shirt, a brown vest, dark cropped trousers, thick socks and plain lace-up boots give the old-world farm shape, with suspenders and a soft brimless cap. Brown hair in a messy side part and a little rosy colour on the cheeks are enough makeup. Carry the plush piglet in a wicker basket and a rolled cardboard map of the mountain. I'd still add a small “Elya Yelnats” tag, because even fans of the book don't always recognise him on sight. Neutral farm pieces are safer than anything tied to a real culture, and he pairs with Madame Zeroni or a whole Yelnats family line-up.
22. Madame Zeroni And Elya Couple Costume
The promise between these two is what starts the family curse, so the props should point at it. Madame Zeroni wears the long plum dress, brown shawl, lace-up boots, gray-streaked bun and light age makeup, holding peaches and a small mountain sign. Elya wears the white collarless shirt, brown vest, suspenders, dark trousers and sturdy boots, with his piglet and rolled map. I dress both in earth tones so they look like a pair from across the room. A cardboard speech ribbon with the “If only” phrase is a quiet nod to the book. Make sure both can stand through a whole class presentation without anything pinching.
23. Stanley Yelnats Sr. Inventor Costume
Stanley's father is the pick for anyone who'd rather play a tinkerer than dig. A rumpled white button-down with rolled sleeves, gray trousers, suspenders and comfortable brown shoes, plus a messy brown wig and safety goggles pushed up on the forehead. A few gray smudges suggest a workshop. He carries empty spray bottles and cardboard tubs labelled as sneaker experiments, with a pair of clean old sneakers hanging from a strap and a clipboard of made-up formulas. I never put liquid or scent in those bottles; a kid will squeeze one at someone within minutes. A wrinkled lab coat can stand in for the suspenders.
24. Clyde Livingston Costume
Clyde Livingston brings a sporty character to the set. A white button-front jersey, baseball pants, tall navy socks, athletic sneakers and a navy cap make a pretend baseball star; skip team logos and sew on a handmade “Sweet Feet” patch instead. Eye black strips are optional. He carries a glove, a soft foam ball and a pair of old sneakers tied together by the laces, since those shoes start the whole story, and a cardboard charity-auction sign explains them. Indoors, I'd choose flat sneakers over cleats, because hard studs slip on gym floors. He's an easy match for Stanley in his courtroom or first-day camp outfit.
25. Stanley Courtroom Costume
This is Stanley before the camp, and it comes almost entirely from a regular closet. A slightly big plaid button-down, khaki pants, white sneakers and a red cap, with the curly brown wig and a clean face, since the dust hasn't started yet. The key prop is a pair of old athletic shoes in a clear plastic bag, plus a cardboard notice with his name on it. A worried look and a slouch help in photos. For school, I'd carry a copy of the novel rather than anything that looks like a real legal paper. In a group showing Stanley at different points in the story, he goes first.
26. Yellow-Spotted Lizard Costume
The yellow-spotted lizard is the one costume in the set that little kids ask for by name. I start with a green hooded jumpsuit or matching sweatshirt and joggers, then add big yellow felt spots; the book gives them eleven, which is a fun number to stick to. Sew or safety-pin the spots, because craft glue lets go of fleece once it bends. A soft green tail at the waist, green gloves with rounded felt claws and green sneakers finish the body. Use a headband with rounded eyes and a felt tongue rather than a mask, which narrows a child's view on dark streets. Green cheeks with yellow dots, set with powder, keep the face friendly instead of frightening, and a cardboard rock gives context.
27. Yellow-Spotted Lizard Group Costume
A pack of lizards makes a bright companion to a line of orange campers. Everyone wears a green jumpsuit, yellow felt spots, a soft tail, green gloves and matching sneakers. I let each person pick a slightly different green; it stops them looking like one bulk order while the spots still tie them together. Eye headbands keep faces visible, and green-and-yellow makeup with a small scale pattern finishes each one. Carry cardboard rocks, paper desert plants or a flat sign shaped like a hole. Give a few people shorter tails so nobody trips in a tight group, skip pointed claws, and save any crawling for open grass.
28. Sploosh Jar Costume
Sploosh is Kate Barlow's spiced peaches, and as a wearable jar it's the funniest object costume here. Under it go a peach-coloured shirt with matching pants or leggings, white sneakers and a pale cream cap. The jar is a light cylinder of cardboard wrapped around the torso with plenty of room for the arms, painted like an old preserves jar and labelled “Sploosh” in big letters. Peach-toned makeup, glossy cheeks and a little green leaf clip carry the colour up to the face, and a basket of fake peaches or a foam spoon is enough to hold. I cut the cylinder to stop above the knee, or the wearer can't sit or climb a step. It's even funnier next to Zero or Stanley.
29. Camp Green Lake Hole Costume
Dressing as a hole is the literal joke, and it lands every time. The base is a tan long-sleeve shirt, brown pants and matching sneakers. Cut a big donut-shaped ring from light cardboard, paint it in layered browns, and hang it at the waist from soft shoulder straps. Paper stones and painted soil texture do the job; real dirt ends up on every couch in the house. Warm brown makeup on the cheeks, a tiny orange camper cap and a cardboard stick marked “Five Feet” add context. I measure the ring against a doorway before painting it, and whoever wears it belongs in the middle of the group photo.
30. Holes Book Cover Costume
If you'd rather represent the whole story than one person in it, wear the book, which teachers and librarians tend to love. A tan shirt, brown pants, desert boots and a sun hat make the base, with a light rectangular foam-board frame around the torso painted with holes, an orange camp cap and a small green lizard. Letter the title on it only for a personal homemade costume. Carry the novel and a foam shovel, or a cardboard bookmark where props are strict, and keep the makeup to bronzer and a little dust shading. I put wide straps on the frame and stop it above the knees, so the wearer can walk the school corridor all morning without it digging into the shoulders.
Desert Dust That Brushes Off at Bedtime
Every camper look here needs dust, and dust is where costumes get ruined. I keep two separate kits, one for skin and one for fabric, because what works on a cheek can stain a collar.
On skin
Matte brown eyeshadow or bronzer, swept on with a big fluffy brush and then patted with a sponge, looks like dry dirt. Shimmer just looks like makeup, so leave it out. I test anything new on the inside of a child's wrist the day before, and I keep the dust off the jawline, where it rubs straight onto the shirt. A light layer of loose setting powder over the top cuts the transfer a lot. Cleansing balm or makeup wipes take it off at night; plain soap tends to smear it around.
On clothes
Washable fabric chalk or a little brown eyeshadow rubbed into the knees, elbows and seat looks right, because that's where real digging wears clothes. Work it in with a dry brush, shake the garment out, and check it by a window, since indoor light hides how heavy it is. Skip sandpaper and bleach on anything you want to wear again.
Nickname Patches That Survive Recess
On a line of near-identical orange campers, the name patch is the costume. Most of them fall off by lunch because they were stuck on with tape or the wrong glue.
- Cut patches from white or cream felt, or from a strip of plain cotton twill. Letter them with a permanent fabric marker and let it dry fully before anyone handles them.
- Stitch them on with big running stitches around the edge. It takes a few minutes and comes out cleanly later, so the shirt can be worn again.
- If you can't sew, iron-on adhesive under a cotton patch holds well. Felt glued onto polyester is the combination that peels, so avoid that pair.
- Make the letters bigger than seems sensible. Lettering that looks huge at the kitchen table reads as normal from across a classroom.
- Put the name on the water jug too. Jackets come off at parties, and a second label keeps the character readable.
A Camper, a Counselor or a Lizard?
Most of these costumes come down to the same base: orange workwear, yellow socks, dust makeup, a labelled jug and a soft digging tool. That sets the scene, and from there the staff, the Old West characters, the lizards, Sploosh and the book cover let a bigger group spread out. Swap anything real, heavy or sharp for cardboard, foam or empty plastic. Make the name patches big, because a camper nobody can identify is just someone in orange. For a solo look, a couple or a whole class, I'd begin with whichever character you can mostly pull from your own closet and add the props from there.
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