How to Make a Witch Broom for a Costume (20 Minutes)

6 min read · The Costume Rack

Here's how to make a broom for a witch costume in about 20 minutes: take a long stick or wooden dowel as the handle, bundle twigs, raffia or strips of brown paper around one end, tie it tight with twine in two places, then trim the bristles into a slight fan shape. It costs next to nothing, weighs less than a store broom and looks way more witchy.

If you're building your witch piece by piece and the broom is the part you keep putting off, The Costume Rack turns the whole costume into one piece a day. Start my costume

What you need for a DIY witch broom

A witch broom craft doesn't need a craft store. Check your house, a park or the recycling first.

The basic kit

Time: 20 minutes (plus 5 if you're collecting twigs). Cost: basically free if you use sticks and a paper bag.

Handle length guide

• Full-size broom: about the height from the floor to your hip or waist. Taller looks dramatic but it's annoying at a party.
• Mini witch broom: 12-18 inches. Perfect for photos, a cute prop, or anywhere you don't want to be the person swinging a stick.

Step 1: the handle

If you're using a stick:

1. Find a fallen branch that's mostly straight and about as thick as a broom handle. A slight bend actually looks more witchy.
2. Snap or cut off small side twigs.
3. Wipe it down and let it dry if it's damp. Peel loose bark so it won't flake on your clothes.

If you're using a dowel or old mop handle:

1. Rough up the bottom 6 inches with a bit of sandpaper or scissors so the bristles grip.
2. Optional: wrap the top in brown paper or twine for a rustic look.

Witch broom from a pool noodle or cardboard tube? Totally works for a lightweight costume. Wrap it in brown paper so it looks like wood.

Step 2: the bristles

This is the part that makes it a proper witch broom.

Option A: witch broom from sticks (twigs)

1. Gather 30-50 thin twigs, roughly 12-18 inches long.
2. Stand the handle upright and hold twigs around the bottom 5-6 inches of it, all pointing down.
3. Overlap them so the handle is fully hidden in the middle.

Option B: how to make a witch broom with paper

Perfect if you want to know how to make a witch broom without sticks.

1. Cut a brown paper bag or kraft paper into a rectangle roughly 12 x 18 inches.
2. Cut long strips from one long edge, stopping about 2 inches from the top, like a fringe.
3. Scrunch the fringe a bit so it looks like straw.
4. Wrap the uncut edge around the bottom of the handle.

Option C: raffia or straw

Raffia from a craft or dollar store gives the most "classic besom broom" look. Use a thick bundle, fold it in half over the handle end, and let it fall.

What's a besom broom? It's the old-style broom made from a bundle of twigs tied to a handle. It's the one every storybook witch rides.

Doing the broom is easy. Remembering the broom, plus the hat, plus the dress, plus everything else, the week you also have assignments due is the hard part. The Costume Rack gives you a countdown with one piece to sort each day, so the broom has its own day. Start my costume

Step 3: tie and trim

Tie it

1. Wrap twine tightly around the top of the bristles about 3-4 times. Pull hard.
2. Tie a double knot.
3. Do a second wrap about 2 inches lower. Two ties keep it from sliding.
4. Optional: add a dab of hot glue under each tie (ask for help if you haven't used a glue gun).

Trim it

1. Stand the broom up.
2. Trim the bottom so it's roughly even, then cut a slight fan shape.
3. Snip any twigs poking out sideways that could catch on tights or someone's arm.

Make it look old

• Rub a bit of brown or black eyeshadow onto paper bristles for a dirty, used look.
• Tie a few dried leaves or a small ribbon at the knot.
• For a pastel witch, spray the bristles lightly or tie on lilac ribbon.

Make it light enough to carry all night

A broom that's cute at 7 p.m. is annoying by 10. Keep it carry-friendly.

Weight checklist:

• Use a hollow or thin handle (cardboard tube or thin dowel) if you'll be walking a lot.
• Paper bristles are lighter than twigs.
• Mini broom = hands-free-ish. Tuck it in a belt or bag strap.

At school or uni:

• Check your school rules on props first. A mini broom is usually safer.
• Keep the bristles trimmed short so they don't scratch people in corridors.

At a party:

• Lean it in a corner or stash it with your coat after photos. You won't need it all night.
• Twig brooms can shed. Do a quick shake outside before you go.

How to make a mini witch broom

1. Use a pencil, chopstick or thin twig as the handle.
2. Cut a 4 x 6 inch paper fringe or grab a small bunch of raffia.
3. Wrap, tie with twine, trim. Mini brooms work as hair accessories too. Pin one into a bun. It looks adorable with braids.

Build the rest of your witch costume

Once your broom is done, the rest is easy:

1. Hat: pointed witch hat (bought, or a black paper cone on a headband).
2. Outfit: black dress, or black top plus black jeans or a skirt.
3. Extras: boots, a cape or long cardigan.
4. No-makeup version: hat, broom and black clothes are enough.

Pair it with a friend as a black cat or a devil. The devil needs a pitchfork, and here's how to make a devil pitchfork out of cardboard. Fairy friend? Point them to how to make a fairy wand.

Turn your broom into a full witch look

The broom is one piece. The Costume Rack matches you to the full costume (witch is one of its sixteen classics), lists every piece with where to find it and a version from things you own, gives three put-together steps and a no-makeup version, and lets your group claim costumes on one rail.

Start my costume

FAQ

How do you make a witch broom out of sticks?

Take a straight branch as the handle, bundle 30-50 thin twigs around the bottom, tie them tight with twine in two places, then trim the ends into a fan. It takes about 20 minutes.

How do you make a witch broom without sticks?

Use a cardboard tube, dowel or old mop handle for the handle and a fringed brown paper bag or raffia for the bristles. Wrap the paper around the base and tie it with twine.

How do you make a mini witch broom?

Use a pencil or chopstick as the handle, wrap a small paper fringe or raffia bunch around one end, tie it and trim it. Mini brooms work as props, decorations or hair accessories.

What can I use instead of a witch broom?

A regular kitchen broom works if it's clean, but a DIY broom looks more witchy and is lighter. You can also skip the broom and go with a hat and cape.

How long should a witch broom be for a costume?

Around floor-to-hip height is a good full-size length. For school, busy parties or photos, a 12-18 inch mini broom is easier to carry.