Kids Halloween Costumes: 30 Ideas for Every Age
Kids Halloween costumes
A children's Halloween costume has one job: stay on for three hours in the cold without a meltdown. That rules out masks, itchy fabric and anything that needs holding.
We don't sell costumes - we make cards, pin badges, prints and party bits in house, printed in the UK - so nothing below is a sales pitch for an outfit.
Everything below can go over a warm layer, which matters more than the costume itself on a UK October night.
We don't sell costumes - but we do the rest
Banners, cake toppers, pin badges and cards for the party itself, designed in house and printed in the UK.
Toddlers and babies
- Pumpkin babygro - warm, soft, and impossible to remove.
- Bat: black clothes with felt wings sewn onto the back.
- Little ghost in a cut-down white sheet with big eye holes.
- Spider with four stuffed tights arms pinned to the back.
- Black cat with a soft headband, no face paint.
- Tiny skeleton in a printed all-in-one.
Primary school age
- Skeleton, printed or white tape on black.
- Witch with a hat and a charity shop black dress.
- Wizard with a bin bag cape and paper stars.
- Vampire: black, a collar up, a bit of red lip.
- Mummy in torn old sheets, taped at the ends.
- Zombie footballer: their own kit, dirtied and torn.
- Scarecrow in a checked shirt with straw at the cuffs.
- Pumpkin in an orange top and a green hat.
Not-too-scary options
- Friendly ghost with a smiling face drawn on.
- Black cat - all ears, no fright.
- A little wizard rather than a witch.
- A spider with googly eyes stuck on.
- A pumpkin with a happy carved face.
- An owl in brown with paper feathers.
Older kids and teenagers
- Split face makeup with their own clothes - low effort, looks great.
- Zombie version of their school uniform or sports kit.
- Grim reaper in a black sheet with a hood.
- Cracked doll makeup with a charity shop dress.
- Beetlejuice in a stripy charity shop suit.
- Full skull face paint and a black hoodie.
Trick-or-treat practicalities
- Costume over a warm layer, not instead of one.
- Reflective tape or a light on the back - it's dark by six.
- Shoes they can walk a mile in.
- No masks; face paint instead so they can see.
- A bag with a handle they can carry themselves.
- Name written inside anything removable.
How to write it so it lands
- Let them try it on a few days before, not on the night.
- Avoid anything they have to carry with both hands.
- Keep a spare pair of gloves in your pocket.
Something we don't make ourselves
We make cards, pin badges, prints and party bits in house. These are from other shops we rate, and we may earn a small commission if you buy through the link — it costs you nothing extra.
Where to shop next
- Couples Halloween costumes
- World Book Day costume ideas
- Halloween makeup ideas
- Group and family Halloween costumes
- DIY Halloween costumes
- Book week costume ideas
- Christmas jumper day ideas
- Pet Halloween costumes
- Halloween costume ideas
- Fancy dress ideas
- Halloween party ideas
- Party supplies
- All guides
- Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
- How to make a balloon arch
- Photo booth prop ideas
- Pin badges
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Halloween costume for a toddler?
A pumpkin babygro or a bat outfit with felt wings - both are warm, soft and can't easily be pulled off halfway round the street.
What Halloween costume isn't scary for young children?
A friendly ghost with a smiling face, a black cat, a happy pumpkin or a little wizard. All read as Halloween without frightening anyone.
How do you keep children warm in a Halloween costume?
Put the costume over a thermal layer rather than instead of one, choose sleeves over sleeveless, and add reflective tape since it's dark from about six.
Are masks a good idea for kids at Halloween?
No - they slip, restrict vision and get lost. Face paint achieves the same look and lets children see the kerb.