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How to Make a DIY Superhero Shield

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My son asked me to make him a DIY superhero shield.

I have to admit that I rarely buy my kids toys and I would prefer to make DIY Halloween costumes. (As well as DIY ghost decorations like these DIY ghost lights for the porch!)

I know, I’m a horrible mom that I don’t spoil my kids with commercialized stuff ;). But I’ve learned that the things they appreciate the most are the things that I make for them. Plus, it gives me an excuse to get my craft on.

Recently I made some wooden swords and shields for my kids, so when Halloween rolled around, my oldest son wanted to be Captain America and asked me to make him a Captain America shield. Well, of course I can, sweetheart!

The funny thing is that my procrastinating until the morning of the Halloween party to do it, so I rushed through it. But you know I had the camera filming and snapping away so you can make something equally awesome for the kids/grandkids/nieces/nephews in your life, too 🙂

How to Make a Superhero Shield - Make a Captain America superhero shield for your kids. - Thrift Diving

What’s funny is that when my son saw the shield, he told me, “Mommy, when you said you wanted to make this, I thought it was going to look messy or something. But it turned out really good.” HA! Well….uh….thanks, baby, for the vote of confidence!

Materials Needed for Superhero Shield

  • MDF Board – Get one that’s 1/4″ thick – Just under $7.00. You can probably get 2 shields from one board, so that’s about $3.00 per shield
  • Black metal door handle – just under $4.00 from hardware stores
  • Jigsaw
  • Jigsaw blade – Fine-tooth blade

 Total Cost: About $7.00 each!

DIY Halloween Costume Idea: Super Hero Shields

If You’re a Newbie: How to Use a Jigsaw

If you’re just starting out with power tools, then you have to check out my in-depth tutorial on how to use a jigsaw. It includes everything that you’ll need to get started with a jigsaw. If you’re already familiar with using a jigsaw, then have a great time!

How to use a jigsaw - best tutorial for newbies. - Thrift Diving

How to Make a Superhero Shield

Okay, here you go! Your kids will thank you! 🙂

Step 1: Get a 1/4″ MDF Board

MDF stands for Medium Density Fiberboard. This is what it looks like. You want to get 1/4″ thick. I just happened to have some of this lying around from a big stash I had found on the side of the road (YES, roadside, baby!!) nearly 2 years ago. I’ve made tons of projects from this stuff, and in my opinion, it’s the best to have around. The reason the 1/4″ MDF is best is because it’s light-weight enough that it’s not going to tire out a kid’s arm from holding it.

I think the MDF size is big enough to make two shields, so if a piece costs $6.97, it’s only $3 per shield!

How to Make a Superhero Shield - Use 1/4" MDF board. - Thrift Diving

Step 2: Draw a Shape and Cut it Out

I’m not going to give you any particular size the shield needs to be. For my son’s, I made it round, like Captain America’s, but if you want to make it a different size or shape, you’re more than welcome to! I find objects around the house, like bowls, and use them as templates. Sometimes even with templates, they’re crooked. HA! No one said I was perfect. 🙂

But at least cutting it is easy with the jigsaw and a fine blade for easily making close turns and cuts.

How to Make a Superhero Shield - Use a jigsaw to cut a round MDF circle. - Thrift Diving

Step 3: Paint and Attach the Superhero Handle

To make a superhero shield handle, you’ll want an industrial handle. Handles from the fancy pull section all have invisible screws. We don’t want that. Those handles can’t be attached properly because of the hidden hardware. Instead, we need these industrial ones that can just be screwed down on top, like this pic below. They’re also wider and more comfortable for kids to handle.

But there are a couple important things to do first:

a. Cut a small piece of MDF for the handle to sit on. You need this or else the screws will go right through to the other side when drilling them in.

b. Paint it. (In this project, I didn’t paint it first because I was in a hurry but ideally, you’ll paint it before you attach it.

How to Make a Superhero Shield - Superhero shield handle. - Thrift Diving

Now just sit your handle on top of the little piece you cut as a platform, and screw it in with the 4 screws that came with the handle.

See how my son easily grasps it? They’re wide and comfy and strong. I love these handles!

How to Make a Superhero Shield - Superhero shield handle from the hardware store. - Thrift Diving

STEP 4: Draw Your Design and Paint

Here I was using a bowl as the template. I couldn’t find my protractor, so I guess the bowl will have to suffice!

I struggled like you wouldn’t believe to try to get that stupid star to be right!!! I was pressed for time, so ended up free-handing a lot of it. YIKES!


How to Make a Superhero Shield - Use a large bowl to mark a round circle for the superhero shield. - Thrift Diving

I used Annie Sloan chalk paint on the top — Emperor’s Silk and Aubusson Blue. For white, I just used a craft paint, since I’m all out of Annie Sloan whites.


How to Make a Superhero Shield - Paint a superhero shield with paint. - Thrift Diving

STEP 5: Let Your Kid’s Run Wild With the Superhero Shield

These are such awesome toys for kids. Not just because they cost, like, no money to complete (and only about 1 hour of your time). But they’re just really cool and to say that you made it with your own hands is such a rewarding feeling!

How to Make a Superhero Shield - Make a superhero shield for your kids. - Thrift Diving

Here are all my boys at my oldest son’s Halloween party at school. They had such a good time!

How to Make a Superhero Shield - Halloween costumes for kids. - Thrift Diving

When we got home later in the evening, I added the white paint that I didn’t have time to add earlier in the day.

I just love making stuff for the kids! They’re lucky to have a crafty mom, I guess 🙂

How to Make a Superhero Shield - Make a super hero shield for kids. - Thrift Diving


How to Make a Superhero Shield - Captain America shield for kids. - Thrift Diving

Other Great Ideas

Since these are so easy and inexpensive to make, here are some ideas of when you could make these for kids:

  • Birthday party ideas – Make all the kids a shield for a Super Hero Theme Party
  • Halloween
  • Birthday Gift 
  • Playtime – My kids love playing with these things at any time, not just Halloween!

How to Make a Superhero Shield - Captain America shield for kids or for Halloween. - Thrift Diving

Okay, so what do you think?? Would your sons, daughters, grandkids, nieces, nephews love this? Leave a comment below and let me know for whom who’d you’d love to make this DIY superhero shield.

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2 Comments

  1. Kathy Wolfe says:

    Love the shield! You are so talented and I want to be you when I grow up and I’m already way older than you!!!!!!!!!

    1. Awww….thank you, Kathy! LOL I’m glad you like it! They’re so easy to make, and any kid would love it. I know mine do!! 🙂 Thank you!

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