Circus Fancy Dress-Not Clowns, ideas needed for DD's age 4&3

[merryandmad]

We are going to a fancy dress party this weekend with a theme circus. Originally we hadn't planned on dressing the girls in fancy dress, but now I am having 2nd thoughts. Does anyone have any ideas of easy (and reasonably cheap) ideas?
My daughters are 4 and 3 and probably won't keep any costume on for long, so easy and fun suggestions please?

stick/sew loads of sequins onto a leotard and accessorise with glittery streamers?

How about just a mask or headpiece to be worn with leggings and a t-shirt? Elephant / pony / lion / tiger would all be pretty simple.

Or a strong lady? Black leggings and t-shirt, with a red tabbard thing over and fake dumb-bells?

Or anything sequinny, as EG says.

good idea thanks eccentrica- we have old ballet leatoards that could be transformed!!

thanks aswell janeite- i haven't been able to find any masks though. I could make them though . Any suggestions?