We use technologies that provide information about your interactions with this site to others for functionality, analytics, targeted advertising, and other uses. Learn more in our Privacy Notice.
Skip to Content

70 Clever Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids Who Love to Get Creative

Pay homage to their most popular faves with these unique Halloween costume ideas.

By
best halloween costume ideas for kids, two kids dressed as a washer dryer combo and a mother son dressed as two scrub daddies
Mike Garten

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

When it comes to Halloween costumes, kids love to get creative while honoring some of their favorite characters. This year, video game costumes are the hottest thing going, thanks to Minecraft, but Super Mario Bros., Sonic, The Legend of Zelda and Animal Crossing are also big favorites. Wicked and Wednesday bring the goth and witchy vibes to the function, KPop Demon Hunters are golden, and live-action remakes bring mischievous creatures like Stitch and Toothless back to the forefront.

When looking for the best Halloween costume for kids, it's best to keep some safety rules in mind. The experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics note the costumes should be visible at night, with a bright or reflective component (or you give them a Halloween glow stick). They also advise making sure that shoes fit well, nothing covers eyes or impedes vision, costumes aren't too long to prevent tripping. They also say to watch out for pointy or sharp accessories (like swords), costumes made from flammable materials, makeup that's not "nontoxic" and decorative contact lenses. With those in mind, no matter what they choose, they're going to have a great Halloween!

The Emotions From 'Inside Out 2'

The Emotions From 'Inside Out 2'
Credit: Mike Garten. Costumes by Lis Engelhart and Alex Mata. Makeup by Emma Elizabeth at Honey Artists using MOB Beauty. Hair by Linsey Marmorato at Honey Artists using Kristin Ess.

They don't have to be anxious to dress up as Anxiety, and they certainly won't be embarrassed to be seen as Embarrassment. The best thing about dressing up as the characters from Inside Out 2 is that they mostly wear regular clothes, like an orange-striped shirt, pink hoodie, blue turtleneck, or yellow dress with flowers.

Minecraft Steve

Minecraft Steve
Credit: Disguise

After the runaway hit of A Minecraft Movie this year, everyone's going to want to be their favorite mob. The Minecraft Steve costume comes with a tunic and mask; axes and swords are sold separately (thankfully). You can also get just the Steve mask, an Ender Dragon costume, a Villager getup, or a Creeper mask—and the all-important Chicken Jockey costume is coming soon.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

KPop Demon Hunters

KPop Demon Hunters
Credit: Mukola

Whether they're a Rumi, a Zoey, or a Mira, they'll be ready to takedown the Saja Boys in these outfits, inspired by what the trio wore during the "How It's Done" number. (Wigs not included in the costume.) Or, they can go for the "Golden" costumes—also available for Rumi, Zoey, and Mira—and they'll be up, up, up on the latest costume trend.

Peppa Pig & George Pig

Peppa Pig & George Pig
Credit: Mike Garten. Costumes by Lis Engelhart and Alex Mata. Makeup by Emma Elizabeth at Honey Artists using MOB Beauty. Hair by Linsey Marmorato at Honey Artists using Kristin Ess.

For families who love to play in muddy puddles, Peppa and George are already household names. It's easy to re-create their looks with red and yellow rain boots, a yellow raincoat or blue raincoat, and a red dress with pink tights and a pink long-sleeve tee underneath. The fun part is creating the pig snouts with cardboard and craft sticks! And there's always a baby pig one-piece costume if there's a little Evie at home.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Beanie Babies

Beanie Babies
Credit: Photo by Mike Garten. Costumes by Lis Engelhart and Alex Mata. Makeup by Emma Elizabeth at Honey Artists using MOB Beauty. Hair by Linsey Marmorato at Honey Artists using Kristin Ess.

Which would they choose: an adorable black-and-white panda bear, a standard grizzly or a rare, all-out tie-dye? No matter what they decide, it's easy to transform their sweats into a Beanie Baby costume. Just cut ears from felt pieces and attach them to a hoodie using hot glue. Make a heart-shaped tag from red cardstock, then punch a hole in it thread a red ribbon through it so the card can be worn around the neck. For an extra authentic look, cover the tag in clear contact paper so it doesn’t "lose value" (Wink, wink!) Finish off the look with some oversize, round sunglasses for the eyes.

Tinned Fish

On Sale
Tinned Fish
Now 20% Off
Credit: Photo by Mike Garten. Costumes by Lis Engelhart and Alex Mata. Makeup by Emma Elizabeth at Honey Artists using MOB Beauty. Hair by Linsey Marmorato at Honey Artists using Kristin Ess.

Not just all the rage on snack tables, tinned fish is perfect for a parent-and-child costume.

For the parent:

  1. Cut two large rectangles from cardboard sheets with a craft knife or box cutter. Round the edges of each corner to create a tin box shape.
  2. Cut out an opening and two fish heads from the top one-third of one of the cardboard rectangles. Make sure it's large enough for a face to peek through.
  3. Paint the front and back of each rectangle with a few coats of craft paint and let dry completely.
  4. Paint details for the “tin” with craft paint. Add googly eyes, cupcake liner scales, and silver pipe cleaners to the fish heads using hot glue.
  5. Attach a roll of gray paper to the front of the tin, and add a “key” made from more pipe cleaners.
  6. Secure the two sheets of cardboard together with straps that will rest on shoulders.
  7. A blue-striped shirt completes the look.

For the little fish:

  1. Start with a gray hoodie sweatshirt (one with a zipper front will be easiest to wear) and gray leggings. Fold foil cupcake liners in half in shades of silver, blue, and black, then layer the “scales” down the front and back of the hoodie and attach with hot glue, overlapping along the way
  2. Cut a tail shape from gray felt, and glue to the bottom edge of the hoodie.
  3. Continue to layer the cupcake liners on the tail, and finish off the fins with silver pipe cleaners attached with hot glue.
  4. Glue a pair of giant googly eyes to the hood of the sweat shirt and trim with more silver pipe cleaners.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Pop Singer Costume

On Sale
Pop Singer Costume
Now 25% Off
Credit: Fun Costumes

Whether they love Sabrina, Olivia, or Taylor, chances are, they're yearning for their time in the spotlight. This outfit comes with the sparkly dress and microphone, but the boots have to be provided.

Glinda and Elphaba From 'Wicked'

On Sale
Glinda and Elphaba From 'Wicked'
Now 10% Off
Credit: Mike Garten. Costumes by Lis Engelhart and Alex Mata. Hair by Meron Weyante for ABTP. Makeup by Marc Cornwall for ABTP.

With the second half of the famed movie adaptation coming out this year, we have a feeling Wicked costumes are going to be...popular. Who's the good witch and who's the "bad" witch? Well, that's up to you. To make Glinda's crown and staff, bend and twist sparkly silver pipe cleaners together to create a crown worthy of a good witch! Then simply attach to hair with bobby pins. You can also create a matching wand with a pipe cleaner starburst hot glued to a pink wooden dowel. Elphaba's look can be done with a black dress, witch hat, and green face paint.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Superman

On Sale
Superman
Now 18% Off
Credit: Rubie's

With a new Superman in theaters this summer, kids will be running to this costume faster than a speeding bullet. The cape, belt, and boots come attached to the jumpsuit. This one features the classic Superman insignia, but kids can also opt for a costume with the new logo from this year's film.

Crocs

Crocs
Credit: Photo by Mike Garten. Costumes by Lis Engelhart and Alex Mata. Makeup by Emma Elizabeth at Honey Artists using MOB Beauty. Hair by Linsey Marmorato at Honey Artists using Kristin Ess.

They wear them all the time anyway—now they can put them on as part of a full-body Halloween costume. Don't forget the Jibbitz!

  1. On a large sheet of cardboard, trace the outline of a Crocs shoe using a pencil.
  2. Carefully cut out using an craft knife or box cutter.
  3. Cut a large hole in the center for the face, and then add seven smaller holes around it to mimic the signature Crocs design.
  4. Cut an additional cardboard strip and fold in the edges to create a 3D strap.
  5. Cover the Crocs shape and strap with several coats of craft paint. Allow them to dry completely.
  6. Attach the folded ends of the strap to the back of the Crocs shoe using hot glue.
  7. For extra detail, trace the outline of the shoe with a darker or lighter shade of paint.
  8. Make Jibbitz charms from felt, craft foam, or paper and attach with hot glue.
  9. Attach backpack-style straps to the back of the shoe with thick ribbon and hot glue for easy wear.
  10. Wear a yellow sweatshirt or purple sweatshirt underneath with yellow Crocs or purple Crocs to match.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Barbie

On Sale
Barbie
Now 37% Off
Credit: Spirit Halloween Store

Hi, Barbie! This is the exact costume they need to fight patriarchy. You can also get her roller skating outfit or add in a Ken, but, as the movie tell us, he isn't necessary.

Wednesday Addams

Wednesday Addams
Credit: Mike Garten

Nevermore Academy is in session again this year, and there are just so many directions to go in for an Wednesday-inspired getup: They can go with a peter-pan-collar dress if they're looking for a classic Wednesday Addams look, or they can update their costume and go with a black tulle dress inspired by the outfit she wore when she did her famous "Goo Goo Muck" dance on the Netflix series. But if they want to DIY her Nevermore Academy uniform from the series, they can try this combo of a striped blazer, collared shirt, black dress and knee socks, plus a possible wig.

RELATED: The Best Wednesday Addams Halloween Costumes

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Stitch From 'Lilo and Stitch'

Stitch From 'Lilo and Stitch'
Credit: Spirit Halloween

This year saw a new, "live-action" Lilo and Stitch movie, but even before that Experiment 626 had been having a moment. If the kids in your life love his balance of mischief and sweetness, this comfy costume is for them. They can also get an Angel to go with it.

Music Box Ballerina

On Sale
Music Box Ballerina
Now 46% Off
Credit: Photo by Mike Garten. Costumes by Lis Engelhart and Alex Mata. Makeup by Emma Elizabeth at Honey Artists using MOB Beauty. Hair by Linsey Marmorato at Honey Artists using Kristin Ess.

Boxtumes have never looked so pretty! For a costume that sparkles and shines:

  1. Choose a sturdy oversized cardboard box.
  2. Fold in the bottom flaps and tape to the inside of the box with packing or duct tape.
  3. Cut out a large hole from the top of the box to comfortably sit around the child’s waist.
  4. To create a faux drawer, cut a smaller rectangle of cardboard, folding in the ends and attach to the jewelry box with hot glue.
  5. Add a large bead for a knob.
  6. Paint the whole surface of the box in a light shade of pink, adding extra details if desired.
  7. Once dry, attach mylar contact paper to the back flap to create a mirror.
  8. Add oversized bows, beads, pearls, and gemstones to the jewelry box with hot glue. Make sure nothing is too heavy!
  9. Secure a ribbon strap inside the box with duct tape to wear it like a sandwich board. This will make it easier to carry and leave their arms free.
  10. Finish the look with a ballerina-inspired outfit and high bun.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Toothless From 'How to Train Your Dragon'

Toothless From 'How to Train Your Dragon'
Credit: Disguise

Now that How to Train Your Dragon has gotten the live-action treatment, and Universal has opened an Isle of Berk in its Epic Universe theme park, Toothless is top of mind. Grab some Astrid and Hiccup costumes, too, and you've got yourself a viking village.

Stanley Quenchers

Stanley Quenchers
Credit: Mike Garten. Costumes by Lis Engelhart and Alex Mata. Hair by Meron Weyante for ABTP. Makeup by Marc Cornwall for ABTP.

If you know someone who's obsessed with their Stanley, they'll get a kick out of seeing the kids in their life dressed as their favorite reusable tumblers. The great thing is these costumes can be made in any color, so long as there's a sweatshirt and sweatpants that match. Start by using iron-on transfer paper to add our Stanley logo template to the sweatshirt. Then, to make the straw hat, grab a paper towel roll and paint it white, hot glue it to a paper plate, then hot glue the plate to a headband.

RELATED: The Best Family Halloween Costume Ideas

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Optimus Prime

Optimus Prime
Credit: Disguise

Your Autobot can get ready to roll out and go trick-or-treating in this epic Optimus Prime costume. It comes with a jumpsuit, gloves, shoe covers, hood, and mask. You can also get a Bumblebee version.

Minions

Minions
Credit: Mike Garten

Just when you think they're out, the Minions return — Despicable Me 4 just came out last year, and Minions 3 is due out next year. You can buy a Minions costume, but they're almost easier to DIY.

Get the tutorial »

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Link From 'The Legend of Zelda'

On Sale
Link From 'The Legend of Zelda'
Now 27% Off
Credit: Disguise

It's time to go adventuring in Hyrule once again! This look is specifically from The Breath of the Wild, and it comes with the tunic, holster, functional pouches, ears, and boot covers. You can also go for the classic Link look.

Cher & Dionne From 'Clueless'

Cher & Dionne From 'Clueless'
Credit: mike garten

Kids don't know about Clueless? As if! If there's older tweens and teens who want to try something retro, this movie is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, and the look is easy to pull together if you have a yellow plaid skirt or black-and-white plaid skirt and a yellow cardigan or red cardigan.

Headshot of Marisa LaScala
Marisa LaScala
Senior Parenting & Relationships Editor

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; previously, she wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother. She lives with her toy-collecting husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found helping out her team at bar trivia or posting about movies on Twitter and Bluesky. 

Watch Next 
best halloween costume ideas for kids, two kids dressed as a washer dryer combo and a mother son dressed as two scrub daddies
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below