Dressing up as something fun, spooky or silly in October doesn’t have to be stressful! Whether your little one is wanting something less itchy, something without a mask, or use something they already love and own, we have PLENTY of tricks and tips to make their fall festivities a HUGE treat!
TRANSFORM A WARDROBE INTO A THEMED COSTUME
A new twist and take on an old piece of clothing can unfold a fun costume! Neon colors in the chest of drawers? Better find some sweatbands and give your favorite 80s soundtrack a play! Striped shirt? Why not become a sailor, pirate or the Hamburglar?
DIY SOMETHING UNIQUE
What if you own MULTIPLE items around the house that you can cut, sew, and put together? GO FOR IT! Hot glue some black dots onto a red shirt and you have a ladybug! Costume jewelry laying around? Throw it together with an old dress and use cotton balls to make a white-haired wig. Have spare cardboard boxes? Guess who just became a Transformer! Create a fun theme that THEY will enjoy and maybe something that you can take part in, as well!
USE COMMON ACCESSORIES
If Clark Kent can trick the whole world with a simple pair of glasses and a suit, so can you! Have a pair of round glasses, a striped scarf and an eyeliner pencil? Look who just became Harry Potter! Extra headbands lying around? Cut out some pumpkins or bats and attach them to the top! There are plenty of little things that you can use and do that will be comfortable for your child to wear that can also be very exciting as a costume!
USE PAJAMAS, ONESIES OR HOODIES OF THEIR FAVORITE CHARACTERS
Sometimes “store bought” just doesn’t cut it! The materials can be cheaply made and itchy, and the sizing may not. Why not lean into the comfort factor?! You can find most themed pajamas, onesies and hoodies at Target, WalMart or even Amazon year round! And you don’t even need a holiday to wear them again!
TRICKS AND TIPS
- Talk to your child about what types of costumes they would like to wear!
- Find out if the materials are irritating, uncomfortable or itchy and avoid these!
- You may have to allow your child to get used to the costume. Keep it out where they can see it for several days, talk about it and touch it. Show them pictures of children wearing it (if possible). If you have another child who can put it on for your child to see, even better. Have you child stand in front of a mirror and hold the costume in front of their body so they can see it. Try putting on just part of the costume first, then add more later. Have your child wear it multiple times around the house before taking it outside, so they can get used to it
- Don’t force your child to wear a costume that they don’t enjoy
