It’s almost Halloween. Are you deciding between a homemade or store paid Halloween costume for your child? Do both! Here are some suggestions for Kids Halloween Costumes.
Do Hand-Me-Down Kids Halloween Costumes
If your child has older siblings or cousins, check with them first to exchange costumes and mix and match for a great old but new costume. When you do buy a new costume, always think about its hand-me-down potential. If you let your older child buy new one year, make sure it is something your younger child could fit into the next Halloween season. If you let your youngest child buy new one year, encourage them to find something that has props like a wig, fairy wand, sword or clothing they can grow into for years.
Don’t Buy New Halloween Costumes Every Year
If you buy new every year you’ll end up with an overflowing closet of like-new costumes and children who have the expectation of getting something different every year. That’s a waste and you’ll be spending too much money on something that is only worn once. Also, be careful about allowing your child to look online for the perfect toddler Halloween costumes, as chances are your son or daughter will find a costume kit he or she can’t get out of their heads. Instead, have your children shop through the costume closet with their cousins and friends to create a personalized costume, not a store bought package.
Do Create Your Own Kids Halloween Costume
Instead of buying the typical witch, princess or pirate costume, encourage your children to try something different and fun. If they have a favorite cartoon character, go through their closet with them to find similar clothing then use face paint or props to complete the ensemble. A red spray painted box with six plastic cups glued to it can turn ordinary items into a Lego costume. Pants with Smarties candies taped to them can turn your scholar into a “smarty pants.” Teaching your child to make things with her hands and imagination will help her grow into an independent individual. Try a homemade Halloween costume at least every other year.
Don’t Forget to Go Shopping
While you can put together a fun outfit for your child using old costumes, toys and props you find around the house and in the closets, don’t forget to go shopping. Help your child decide beforehand what he or she want to be, then go shopping with the purpose of finding something small to complement the outfit. Or, agree to go window shopping just to get ideas. Either way, shopping is a fun part of the Halloween experience and teaching your child to plan out purchases and limit herself to only one or two items is important for her future financial habits.
Do Let Them Be Creative
If your child says he wants to be something outlandish don’t immediately dismiss the idea because you aren’t sure how it would work. According to Jamie Williams from Parenting-Source.com, one time a child in her neighborhood wanted to be a table. So his mother dressed him as a Christmas dinner table, with his head as the centerpiece on the silver platter. The one of a kind costume only cost about $10, and the boy received compliments all evening on how funny and creative his costume choice was.
Don’t Be Afraid to Make Things
Bank on your child’s imagination. If they think you can create something, you can. Make it together and let it be a family effort. Use a box, paper plates, glue and paint to make a race car. Toilet paper tubes glued together make great binoculars. Encouraging your child to get creative helps him realize he has potential, and it can help you relive that special child-like wonder you might have thought you lost.
What are your favorite kids Halloween costumes? Will you make a kids Halloween costume this year or buy it?