best Halloween costume ideas for kids

Written by Anna Lane

Updated September 9, 2022

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If your kids are anything like mine, they’ve been talking about their Halloween costumes since, well, November of last year. With so many different costumes to choose from, it can be difficult for indecisive kids to make up their minds, so we scoured the interwebs and polled the parents on our staff, as well as our IRL friends, to share what their kids plan to dress up as for Halloween. From creepy to creative, here are the best Halloween costume ideas that your kids will love—and that you can have delivered straight to your door just in time for trick-or-treating.

1. A trio of Hocus Pocus costumes

Three tweens dressed in costume as the Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus — Credit: Spirit Halloween

Available in sizes: Child small to large; tween medium to extra large The Sanderson sisters are headed back to haunt Halloween in 2022, with the debut of Hocus Pocus 2. If your child is a fan of the hilarious witch sisters, they'll love dressing up as their favorite spell spinner in one of these costumes. Perfect for a set of three sisters or a trio of friends, the costumes come in both children's and tween sizes for a proper fit.

2. A flight suit to awaken the Force within your child

A young child wearing an orange flight suit costume. — Credit: Disney

Available in sizes: 3 to 13 Sure, Baby Yoda is all the rage, but if your kid wants to be unique—yet still faithful to his or her Star Wars obsession—why not opt for Poe Dameron, the Resistance’s top pilot. The authentic-looking costume comes with a one-piece orange flight suit, a half-helmet, an attached vest, and a detachable chest box with a hose. It’s also fully lined, making it a durable costume that can be passed down to a younger sibling in the future.

Poe Dameron pilot costume at Amazon starting at $49

3. Sesame Street’s biggest star

A baby dressed in an Elmo costume. — Credit: Sesame Street

Available in sizes: 12 months to 4T It’s a known fact that cute toddlers look even cuter when dressed up in furry Elmo costumes. Always a popular choice for the 4-and-under set, this comfortable costume is easy to put on—it’s a one-piece that zips up the front—and will keep your little one toasty in even the most frigid weather. One thing worth noting: Elmo’s “fur” sheds, so you’ll likely end up spending November 1 vacuuming your couch.

Sesame Street Elmo costume at Amazon starting at $23

4. All you need is a VW Vanagon

Three kids dressed up as characters from Scooby Doo: Scooby, Velma, and Daphne. — Credit: Rubie's

Available in sizes: small to large Scooby Doo may be more than 50 years old, but in classic Hollywood fashion, his face still looks the same. This officially licensed Scooby costume includes a zip-front jumpsuit with an attached head and paws, shoe covers, a long tail and the Scooby Doo collar. The costume is nice quality—not cheap polyester like so many others—but it does run on the small side, so be sure to order one size up if you plan to add a layer of warm clothing underneath.

If your child is more of a Daphne or a Velma type rather than a crime-stopping canine, you’re covered: The Velma costume comes with matching socks and glasses (the wig is separate) while the Daphne costume comes outfitted with a wig and boots, so all your kid has to do is put everything on before she heads out for candy.

5. A costume that gives the right kind of nightmares

A person dressed up as Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas. — Credit: Disguise

Available in sizes: 4 to 12 Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas is a new classic costume. Take your Jack Skelington to the streets in this costume that includes a one-piece jumpsuit with attached coat tails, a detachable bow tie, and a half mask. And if you really want to wow the neighborhood, dress the family pet as Zero the ghost dog.

Disguise Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Skellington costume at Amazon starting at $20

6. Everyone's favorite toy duo

Two kids wearing Woody and Buzz Light Year costumes — Credit: Disguise / Party City

Available in sizes: 3 to 9/10 Grab your favorite sidekick and giddy up to this Woody costume that includes an attached vest, a bandana, a Sheriff badge, and boot covers. Take note that to complete the look you'll need to purchase the accessory set that includes the holster and cowboy hat.

If Buzz is more your child’s style, take a trip to infinity and beyond in a Buzz Lightyear jumpsuit with light-up wings. To take this costume totally out of this world, purchase the coordinating light-up helmet.

7. A monkey costume that’s curiously adorable

A baby wearing a monkey costume. — Credit: Spooktacular Creations

Available in sizes: 6 months to 3T This cute and cuddly monkey costume includes everything your baby needs to mimic his or her favorite character from the classic Curious George books—even a stuffed banana! Note that the costume runs slightly big, so if you have a preemie or a kiddo who is small, it might be wise to size down.

Baby Monkey costume at Amazon starting at $25

8. A trio of pajama-clad crime fighters

Three young children dressed up as the characters from PJ Masks: Gekko, Cat Boy, and Owlette. — Credit: Disguise

Available in sizes: 2T to 8 The characters from PJ Masks are A-list celebrities among the 6-and-under crowd, so expect to see quite a few Owlettes, Cat Boys, and Gekkos out trick-or-treating. Each of the PJ Masks costumes includes a jumpsuit with a detachable tail and headpiece. Parents report that the jumpsuits run on the smaller side, so size up for comfort, especially if your kid will want to use it for dress-up in the future. Did we mention the costumes light up?

9. A superhero outfit that works for sensitive kids

On the left: a pair of Superman pajamas. On the right: a young boy wearing Superman pajamas. — Credit: Horizon where hope spread

Available in sizes: 2T to 16 For kids with sensory issues, costumes with padding, face masks, headpieces—anything that can be plain uncomfortable—are no-go items. If you’re on the search for a sensory-friendly costume so that your child can enjoy a happy Halloween in peace, here’s a pro tip: Go with pajamas! These Superman or Batman pajamas come with a detachable cape so your child can really feel the part. Plus, Superman is one of the few superheroes who doesn’t wear a mask, so he’s a perfect choice for children who can’t—or won’t—wear anything over their faces.

Superman pajamas at Amazon for $25 Batman pajamas at Amazon for $25

10. The baddest baddie in the Mushroom Kingdom

Person wearing a yellow Bowser costume with a mask. — Credit: Disguise

Available in sizes: 4 to 12 For kids who love playing video games—especially Nintendo—you can't go wrong with a Bowser costume, the big bad lizard from Super Mario Bros. The costume comes with everything they need to kidnap Princess Peach and defeat Mario, including a jumpsuit with an attached tail, an inflatable shell, a pair of cuffs, and a scary lizard mask.

Bowser costume at Amazon starting at $45

11. The fluffiest rainbowiest unicorniest costume ever made

A costume with a frilly pastel tulle skirt and a unicorn headband. — Credit: Rainbow Estrella

Available in sizes: 1 to 12 For the sweetest and sparkliest costume you’ve ever seen, look no further than this Unicorn Princess getup. The fluffy pastel tutu skirt is made for twirling, and the unicorn headband is handmade. There’s no need to be concerned about the sequin bodice: It’s lined in soft cotton, so you won’t have to endure an evening of complaints about it feeling “owie.”

Unicorn Princess costume at Amazon starting at $18

12. A spell-worthy costume

A boy dressed up as Harry Potter holding a wand. — Credit: Rubie's

Available in sizes: One size Grab your wand and a Golden Snitch, because the famed residents of Hogwarts are (still) a favorite Halloween costume choice for kids. Going with Harry Potter is a particularly great choice because there's so much variation: is your child not into Gryffindor? Go for Ravenclaw's navy blue theme. Do they want to be a Quidditch player instead? There's a costume options for that too. This Harry Potter costume includes a Gryffindor robe and attached top—add the wand, the corresponding striped tie, and maybe a pair of glasses so that Harry looks totally put together. Don't forget to draw on his signature scar!

13. For the clever wizard in your life

A girl wearing a Hermione costume with a cape. — Credit: Harry Potter

Available in sizes: 4 to 14 Kids who are more Hermione than Harry will love this costume. It comes as a one-piece, with a robe and attached uniform top and skirt so you don't have to worry about matching different pieces. Don't forget to order Hermione her own wand to complete the look. The wand, by the way, is officially authorized by the Warner brothers!

Hermione Granger costume at Amazon starting at $24 * Hermione Granger's wand at Amazon for $40