Halloween Costume Ideas
Movie Favorites Just like adults, children are influenced by movies and television. So it’s no surprise that kids who want lunch boxes which display current characters will also have a Halloween costume idea or two that allows them to pretend for a night that they are a special character they have learned about through mass media. In years past, children have been enchanted by Harry Potter, Captain Hook and Pippy Longstockings. This year, because of the popularity of the Pirates of the Caribbean and it sequel and the mammoth success of the Disney Princesses, parents may find children delighted by the chance to go door to door with their candy bags dressed as pirates and princesses.
Fortunately these costumes are relatively easy and inexpensive to create. Pirates can be costumed in over-sized boots, baggy pants, puffy shirts, a vest, belt with tin foil buckle and adorned by a toy sword, a bandanna worn on the head , patch over one eye and maybe a hand painted , pretend scar on the face.
Princesses are in luck if they or a sibling have recently participated in a ballet recital. The ballet costume can usually be adapted and give your child the look of her favorite princess. Spread out available additions to the basic costume like sashes, belts, jewelry, tiaras, capes, shoes , slippers and wands and spend a very enjoyable half hour with your daughter determining how to make her look the part she chooses to play.
Sports Heroes Kids love sports and many have favorites among the ever expanding galaxy of sports stars . Parents will love how easily Halloween costume ideas can be generated by a simple sports chat with their child. Begin by asking your child to name a few of his or her sports favorites and then ask for his or her ideas about how to create a costume that helps to bring that hero to life. With an identity in mind, take your Halloween costume ideas to the place in your home where you store sports equipment and the closet where you locate sports clothing. With your child, check out equipment and uniform replicas like shirts, hats, gloves, helmets, shoulder pads that can be tailored to meet your child’s Halloween costume idea. Some of Mom’s makeup can also be smudged on to give a realistic look to the face.
While football and baseball players are popular choices, you may also be housing an Andre Agassi or Wayne Gretzky fan who will be searching for some tennis whites or a hockey stick . One of the side benefits of choosing a Halloween costume idea with your children is that it gives you an informal and fun scenario in which to get a fresh understanding of your child’s likes and dislikes in the world of sports and beyond.
Occupational Therapy In the daily world of a child’s imagination, there is often pretending that centers around a particular occupation. What may start out as being “mommy ” or “daddy” in a made up drama can very quickly expand to allow children to become a doctor, nurse, policeman, teacher, mailman, or librarian. The list expands as the child ages and experiences more and more occupations. Eventually some occupations will become your children’s favorites and they may decide to transform those favorites into a Halloween costume idea.
Costume materials may be readily available in the children’s toy box. A toy stethoscope, a child size tool case or belt, a first aid kit can all be the starting place for a great Halloween costume idea. But don’t overlook used, but usable adult possessions either. A company hat or shirt, an old brief case, a pipe, a used hard hat, an apron can give a Halloween costume idea some real authenticity. The temptation may be to send children out dressed as workers from occupations similar to those mom and dad fill, but kids have larger horizons . Lots of fun can be had in chatting about occupations that may not be common but are exciting and interesting to your kids. Cowboys and girls, astronauts, forest rangers appeal to children and Halloween costumes ideas for these occupations and many others can usually be put together from what one can find around the house with no need for an expensive costume purchase.
Old Favorites There is a good reason why some Halloween costume ideas have survived from generation to generation. They are recognizable, easy to assemble and fun for the wearer.
What could say Halloween more loudly than a witch. All you need is a black jersey or shirt and pants or a skirt, a pointed black witch hat ( these can be purchased at minimal cost and last forever ) and a small child size broom. Once again Mom’s make up can be used to make a sweet seven year old into a scary hag.
Easier still is the classic ghost outfit. The hardest par of this costume is finding an inexpensive ( or very old) white sheet. If Dad is large and your child is small a white shirt might fill the bill. Whatever you find or buy can be recycled until you feel you have gotten your money’s worth. Fashion a pair of eye holes and a mouth slot and accessorize with a rope belt and your young ghost is ready for Halloween trick or treating.
Girls who are a bit too old for the princess look may be quit happy to take the leap to becoming a gypsy. A lively colored blouse and an equally lively full skirt overpowered by bracelets, beads and large hoop ear rings will get you started and the liberal application of makeup topped off with a bright bandanna should complete the gypsy image.
If you use these categories as a starting point for a discussion with your children about Halloween costume ideas you may find that dreaming up this year’s Halloween costume idea need not be a nightmare or break the family budget. Halloween is meant to be a fun time for children And it can also be a great chance for parents to display their own playfulness and creativity to their children. The results of working together can leave everyone smiling, well except for the witch.
