A pair of cat ears, an orange top with a crooked grin, or a friendly ghost face: a few details can turn familiar clothes into a Halloween character.
These four Halloween costume ideas are for preschool and early-primary children to put together with a parent or carer. Your child can choose the character and finishing touches while you help with tools, fastenings and fit. A favorite shirt can stay part of the outfit, and a hat or face paint can be left out if it feels uncomfortable.
Start with comfort
Choose clothes and sturdy shoes that fit well, with room for the weather. Follow age labels on accessories and craft supplies, and leave small detachable decorations out. If your child is younger than the marker's recommended age, or still puts materials in their mouth, they can choose the face while you decorate.
1. A Curious Cat
Save activity (PDF)
Start with soft, dark clothes and let your child decide what sort of cat they will be: sleepy, curious or ready for a very important snack.
Start with familiar clothes; the ears bring the character to life.
What you need
- A dark top and trousers or leggings
- A comfortable, age-appropriate cat-ear headband
- Optional: black face paint intended for children's skin
Make it together
- Let your child pick their clothes. Black, gray or brown can all make a lovely cat.
- Help them try on the ears. Choose a headband that stays comfortably in place without squeezing or slipping.
- If your child wants whiskers, a grown-up can add a few short cheek lines with the tested face paint. Otherwise, the ears do the job.
What will your cat be called?
2. A Little Pumpkin
Save activity (PDF)An orange top becomes a pumpkin when your child gives it a face. Round eyes and a surprised mouth work just as well as triangles and a grin.
Choose an expression together, then draw it on the orange top using the steps below.
What you need
- An orange top you are happy to decorate
- Dark trousers or leggings
- A black fabric marker suitable for the top
- Cardboard and a protective table covering
- Paper and a pencil
Make it together
- Try a few faces on paper. Let your child choose the expression.
- Protect the table and lay the top flat with cardboard inside. Draw the chosen face together, with a grown-up helping as needed and keeping the marker cap out of reach.
- Leave the cardboard inside while the ink air-dries, following the marker's directions. Remove it before any heat-setting, which is the grown-up's job, away from your child. Finish the label's drying and setting steps before wearing.
What kind of pumpkin are you today: silly, surprised or sleepy?
3. A Friendly Ghost
Save activity (PDF)Give a white top two eyes and a little “ooo” mouth. The ghost's face goes on the shirt, leaving your child's own face free to smile.
Choose a face for the T-shirt. Keep your child’s own head and face uncovered.
What you need
- A white T-shirt you are happy to decorate
- Comfortable trousers or leggings, in white or any favorite color
- A black fabric marker suitable for the shirt
- Cardboard, paper, a pencil and a protective table covering
Make it together
- Let your child sketch a ghost face: surprised, sleepy or very pleased with itself.
- Protect the table and put cardboard inside the shirt. Draw the face on the front; a grown-up can outline it or do the drawing while your child directs.
- Leave the cardboard inside while the ink air-dries, following the marker's directions. Remove it before any adult-only heat-setting. Once the label's drying and setting steps are complete, add trousers and familiar shoes.
How does your friendly ghost say hello: a quiet “boo,” a soft “ooo,” or a little wave?
4. A Playful Witch
Save activity (PDF)A pointed hat does most of the work here. This version needs no broom or cape.
A pointed hat gives everyday clothes a new story.
What you need
- A dark top and trousers or leggings
- A soft, age-appropriate witch hat that fits comfortably
Make it together
- Choose the clothes together. A purple top works too, if that is your child's favorite.
- Try on the hat and check that the brim stays above their eyes when they turn and look down. Leave out hats that need a cord tied under the chin.
What does your witch do? Perhaps they grow enormous pumpkins or help lost cats find their way home. If the hat feels scratchy or distracting, leave it off and keep the imaginary spells.
Ready to wear?
Try a short walk and a sit-down together. Check that nothing drags or catches, and your child can see, hear and breathe freely. Adjust anything that feels awkward.
Heading outside after dark? Add reflective tape to the outfit or outer layer and treat bag, carry a flashlight, and stay with your child. Dark costumes need help to be seen.
For more on costume fit and visibility, see the American Academy of Pediatrics' Halloween safety advice.
More Halloween fun together
For songs, crafts and a quieter moment with KidsBeeTV, explore our Halloween activities for preschoolers.
Your little pumpkin might enjoy making a matching decoration with our pumpkin decorating ideas for kids. On another day, try one of our Halloween experiments for kids and parents.
One costume is plenty. Let your child choose the details they enjoy, and leave room for their character to change along the way.
