Viking Clothes for Kids: A Simple Guide

This guide helps kids (and grown-ups!) learn what Viking men, women, and children wore every day. You’ll find out about the materials, the styles, and how to put together a simple Viking outfit for fun or a school project. No special tools are needed—just your curiosity and maybe some clothes you already have at home.

What You’ll Need

• Your imagination
• Optional: a long tunic (or a large t-shirt that goes past your hips), a belt, and a pair of loose trousers or a long skirt
• Optional: a piece of cloth for a cloak or shawl
• Optional: a brooch or safety pin to fasten the cloak

Step-by-Step

1. Start with the tunic. The main piece of clothing for Viking men and boys was a tunic—a long shirt that reached down to the knees. It was usually made of wool or linen. To make a simple tunic at home, use a long-sleeved t-shirt that is a bit big on you, or ask an adult to help you sew two rectangles of fabric together with a hole for your head. The tunic should be loose and comfortable.
2. Add trousers or a skirt. Viking men and boys wore loose trousers that were often tied at the ankle. Women and girls wore a long dress or skirt, sometimes with a shorter tunic on top. For a quick costume, wear loose sweatpants or a long skirt. If you want to be more accurate, tuck your trousers into socks or wrap strips of cloth around your lower legs (like leg wraps) to keep them in place.
3. Put on a belt. A belt was important for Viking men—it held up their trousers and carried a knife or a pouch. Women also wore belts, sometimes with a hanging brooch. Use a simple rope or a cloth belt to cinch your tunic at the waist. This helps the tunic look like a real Viking garment instead of just a big shirt.
4. Add a cloak or shawl. In cold weather, Vikings wore a cloak or a shawl over their shoulders. It was usually fastened with a brooch or a pin. You can use a rectangular piece of fabric (like a small blanket or a towel) and drape it over one shoulder. Secure it with a safety pin or a decorative brooch if you have one.
5. Choose your footwear. Vikings wore leather shoes or boots, but for a costume, any dark shoes or boots will work. You can also wrap your feet in cloth or wear simple sandals if you’re indoors. The key is that they should be comfortable and sturdy.
6. Accessorize (optional). Add a simple pouch on your belt (a small cloth bag), a necklace made of beads or stones, or a simple arm ring made of cardboard covered in foil. These little extras make your outfit look more like a real Viking’s gear. Remember, Vikings were practical people—they didn’t wear a lot of fancy jewelry, but they did like to show off a bit with a few pieces.

Common Mistakes

• Wearing modern clothes that look too modern. Avoid bright neon colors, logos, and zippers. Stick to natural colors like brown, grey, green, and undyed wool colors.
• Forgetting the belt. Without a belt, your tunic just looks like a big shirt. The belt makes it look like a real Viking outfit.
• Using shiny or plastic-looking fabric. Vikings used wool, linen, and leather. If you use a fleece blanket or an old cotton sheet, that’s fine—just avoid shiny polyester that looks like a costume.
• Adding horns to your helmet. This is a big one! Real Vikings did not wear horned helmets. That’s a myth from later stories. If you wear a helmet, make it a simple metal cap without horns.

Tips

• Use natural colors: brown, grey, green, and beige are perfect.
• Layer your clothes. Vikings wore multiple layers to stay warm—a linen tunic under a wool tunic, for example.
• Ask an adult to help you sew or cut fabric. Safety first!
• If you’re making a costume for a school play, check with your teacher about what’s allowed (like using safety pins).
• Look at pictures of real Viking clothing in books or museums (online or in person) to get more ideas. You’ll see that their clothes were simple but well-made.

Troubleshooting

• My tunic is too long or too short. If it’s too long, tuck it into your trousers or belt. If it’s too short, wear a longer shirt underneath or add a piece of fabric to the bottom (ask an adult to help sew it).
• My cloak keeps falling off. Use a larger piece of fabric or fasten it with two brooches instead of one. You can also tie it with a piece of rope.
• I don’t have a belt. Use a piece of rope, a ribbon, or even a long strip of cloth. Tie it around your waist in a knot or a bow.
• I feel too warm or too cold. Vikings adjusted their layers based on the weather. If you’re too warm, take off the cloak or the outer tunic. If you’re cold, add an extra layer underneath.
• I can’t find a brooch. Use a safety pin, a paper clip, or a decorative button. You can also make a simple brooch from cardboard and foil.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Did Viking children wear the same clothes as adults? Yes, children wore similar styles—tunics, trousers, and dresses—just in smaller sizes. They were made of the same materials, like wool and linen.
• What did Viking clothes look like? They were simple, loose-fitting garments made from wool or linen. Men wore tunics and trousers, women wore long dresses, and everyone wore cloaks in cold weather. Colors were usually natural, like brown, grey, and green, though some people dyed their clothes with plants to get brighter colors.
• Did Vikings really wear horned helmets? No, that’s a myth. There is no evidence that Viking warriors wore horned helmets. That idea came from later stories and paintings. Real Viking helmets were simple iron caps, and only a few have ever been found.
• What did Viking shoes look like? They were simple leather shoes that wrapped around the foot and were tied with a leather string. They looked a bit like modern moccasins. For a costume, any dark, simple shoes work.
• How can I make a Viking tunic without sewing? You can use a large t-shirt or a pillowcase with holes cut for your head and arms. Ask an adult to help you cut the holes. Then just put it on and add a belt.
• Why did Vikings wear brooches? Brooches were used to fasten cloaks and dresses. They were also a way to show off wealth—some were made of silver or bronze and were decorated with patterns.