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Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, which means more parties, more trick-or-treating and more chances for a family costume. Here are easy family and group themes, quick no-sew ideas from things you already own, and a few tips so the costumes actually survive the night.
How to pick a family theme in 10 minutes
- Start with the youngest. Small children change their minds less if the theme is built around what they love: animals, space, food, vehicles.
- Pick a theme with roles, so everyone gets a different character rather than the same outfit.
- Check the weather. If it's cold where you live, choose costumes that work over a coat or warm layers.
- Decide buy, build or mix. Most families buy one or two key pieces (a hat, a wig, a mask) and make the rest.
15 family and group costume themes
Easy and cute
- Farm animals: a cow, a pig, a sheep and a farmer. Ears, a nose and matching colours do most of the work.
- Breakfast table: bacon, eggs, toast and a cup of coffee.
- Garden: flowers, a bee, a ladybug and a gardener with a watering can.
- Crayon box: each person wears one bold colour with a paper label. Great for big groups.
- Weather forecast: a sun, a rain cloud, a rainbow and a weather presenter.
Adventure
- Space crew: astronauts, an alien and a planet.
- Pirates: a captain, a parrot, a treasure chest and the crew.
- Safari: an explorer with binoculars, a lion, a zebra and a giraffe.
- Under the sea: a diver, an octopus, a jellyfish (an umbrella with ribbons) and a fish.
- Knights and dragons: a castle guard, a knight and a friendly dragon.
Classic spooky
- Haunted house family: a vampire, a mummy, a witch and a black cat.
- Skeleton crew: matching skeleton outfits, easy to find in every size.
- Witches' coven: hats, capes and a cauldron for the treats.
- Mad scientists: lab coats, goggles and wild hair.
- Pumpkin patch: orange tops and green hats, with one scarecrow parent.
Last-minute ideas from your wardrobe
- Ghost: an old white sheet with eye holes, or a white T-shirt and face paint for young children who don't like covered faces.
- Mummy: white leggings and top wrapped loosely with strips of an old sheet or crepe bandage.
- Black cat: black clothes, paper ears on a headband and a painted nose.
- Tourist: a loud shirt, sunglasses, a camera and a map. Perfect for the parent who forgot.
- Scarecrow: a flannel shirt, jeans, a straw hat and a few bits of raffia.
Safety tips for trick-or-treating
- Be seen: add reflective tape, a glow stick or a small torch, especially to dark costumes.
- Face paint over masks for small children, so they can see properly. Test the paint on a small patch of skin a day before.
- Check the length: hem or pin long capes and robes so nobody trips on steps.
- Look for flame-resistant labels on bought costumes, wigs and accessories, and keep everyone away from candles in pumpkins.
- Size up: leave room for warm layers underneath.
Where to buy costume pieces
If you'd rather buy than build, order at least a week or two before Halloween, as popular sizes sell out and shipping slows down near the date.
Abracadabra NYC, a long-standing New York costume and magic shop, sells full costumes as well as wigs, masks, hats and props, which is handy when you only need the one piece that pulls a family theme together. It's based in the US, so if you live elsewhere, check shipping times and costs to your country before you order.
Browse costumes at Abracadabra NYC
Make it a tradition
Take a family photo in the same spot every year, let a different person choose the theme each year, and keep a box of reusable pieces (hats, capes, face paint) for next time. Looking for more cosy autumn plans? Try our 20 screen-free family evening ideas for fall.