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Halloween with its mystical ambiance builds a lot of lasting childhood memories. Sometimes just hearing the name of this spooky holiday in passing will bring up the image of a flickering jack-o'-lantern or the sound of autumn leaves crunching under your feet as you roam through the neighborhood with friends.
But arguably the biggest contributors to the haunting atmosphere are the costumes. They allow us to step into the shoes of our favorite characters and make the experience even more worthwhile. So, continuing the tradition we set in 2021 and 2022, Bored Panda wants to give a shout-out to those who take it seriously and present the best Halloween costumes for kids.
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#1
"There's A Storm Front Blowing In" Halloween Costume
Terry Tobias 2 years ago
Love him! This little guy has the role down pat!
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weirdo biatch 2 years ago
thats so cute imagine if he says its me (insert name) form your news casting place
RELATED:
#2
Happy Halloween From The Queen
These pictures remind us that when people celebrate, they bring different ideas about everything, and sometimes it can be hard to answer the questions that arise from it. Such as, at what age should the kids stop trick-or-treating.
It can leave parents — and other people contributing to their costumes — feeling a bit torn.
"There's the side where you want your kids to have this wonderful ritual-like festival," Colleen Harmeling, an associate professor in the school of business at Florida State University, told NPR. "But then you're balancing it with these other demands — and those other demands are where morality kind of comes into play."
#3
I Crocheted My Daughter Her First Halloween Costume. I Present You A Baby Gnome
Multa Nocte 2 years ago
That is so cute and it keeps her little face warm if it's cold when you take her trick or treating.
#4
My Daughter Wanted To Be A Snail For Halloween
Couragetcd 2 years ago
I like it when the kids actually pick the costume instead of the parents talking the kid into their idea
#5
This Incredible Halloween Baby Costume
Multa Nocte 2 years ago
Now THIS is funny! You're going to have some explaining to do when your child grows up, though.
Marley Nachi 2 years ago
Bigger kids halloween costumes are for the kids... But baby costumes are for the parents, lol, and I love it. So funny, and cute.
Harmeling believes Halloween for kids is much more than a sack of candy. "I think it is this visibility to the community that they're embedded in. It's a night of fantasy when they see all of these other kids pretending along with them."
It's like a real-life role-playing game. For millions of kids, it can perform one of the most important functions of play: easing the pressure and stress they're under.
#6
My Daughter Wanted To Be A Sheepdog For Halloween
MabelPines76 2 years ago
I'm really hoping you live somewhere where it gets chilli on Halloween
#7
Halloween With Matryoshka Dolls
#8
The Cutest Turtle I Ever Seen
Multa Nocte 2 years ago
That is so cute when the child is bent over like a real turtle! We'll probably see this exact pic in one of those horrible tabloids claiming it's real.
#9
My Daughter Wanted To Be Astrid From How To Train Your Dragon This Year For Halloween. It Took Me A Month, But I Did It
Pan Narrans 2 years ago
Nice axe! And a great choice from your daughter, Astrid is a fantastic character.
"It's also a moment where they can in some ways break the rules where it's safe," Harmeling explained. "You know, they're wandering in the street. They're among all of these strangers, they're not wearing proper clothes, you know?
So in a sense, it gives them the freedom to be wild.
"That's why it has become such a core rite of passage in our culture because it isn't just candy."
#10
My Son Dressed As The Pillsbury Doughboy For Halloween, And The Pictures Makes Me Smile
#11
She's Been Growing Out Her Hair For Nearly Two Years With The Express Purpose Of Being Dumbledore For Halloween. She's Five
MissMePhoenix 2 years ago
First of all! Thats the best Dumbledore I've ever seen! Secondly! She probably would have delivered the line "Did you put you name in the Goblet of Fire?" with all the finesse of the real Dumbledore.
#12
My Nephews Dressed As Yoda And Luke For Halloween
Couragetcd 2 years ago
It's cute, but points deducted for it being the parents idea. "Luke" is not excited to be carrying his baby bro around trick or treating
Power puff scientist 2 years ago
randomly based on your interpretation of one photo...
Load More Replies... #13
Our Daughter's Costume Is Perfect For The Covid-19 Era
Upstaged75 2 years ago
Fake shoulders/arms and the coat buttoned over her head.
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Disgruntled Pelican 2 years ago
You mean aside from the big one her head is sticking through?
Load More Replies... Terry Tobias 2 years ago
That's hysterical! It would totally fake me out if he came to my door a!
But the benefits don't stop there. The professor thinks that these trick-or-treaters who dress up to celebrate Halloween are doing a service to adults, too.
"They're signaling their appropriate membership in the community," she said. "Like if you are in a high trick-or-treating zone, it's kind of your moral duty to participate, you know, to keep your light on."
As we take part in what is basically a massive candy redistribution scheme, we also get to cultivate our own sense of altruism and feel the warm glow that comes from contributing to our community.
#14
My Wife Made Our Son A Baby Groot Costume For This Halloween
Terry Tobias 2 years ago
Is it just me or do these babies seem to really get into the swing of wearing their costumes? They all look so happy to be dressed up!
#15
Brilliant
Couragetcd 2 years ago (edited)
A little confusing to see the Gene Wilder movie's Violet next to the Johnny Depp Wonka, but WW/Chocolate Factory has been my favorite movie since I was 4.
#16
For Halloween My Daughter Insisted On Dressing Up As Her Dungeons And Dragons Character, Ashera - The Moon Elf Druid
Couragetcd 2 years ago
Yes! Celebrating another generation of RPG nerddom! Enjoy the lack of THAC0 in current versions, young elf.
Mermeow Overlord (they/them) 2 years ago
I have been playing D&D and I recently drew my character and I love the drawing so much.
Ozymandias73 2 years ago
She looks awesome! I would've had to wear stilts to be close to my 7ft half- stone giant ogre barbarian. I hope she's having the best times playing as I did.
#17
La Llorona Ghost Costume. If She Sees You, She Won't Know If It's You Or Her Own Child, And You Will Never Be Seen Again
VioletHunter 2 years ago
Imagine the doorbell rings and this kid wants treats. I'd run screaming. Lol
Plus, there's the basic entertainment factor.
"You're witnessing the enjoyment and the emotional contagion of a collective group [of ecstatic children in costumes]," Harmeling said. So there's this shared emotion through all of this."
#18
My 11-Year-Old Cousin's The Dude Costume From The Big Lebowski
Little king trash mouth 2 years ago
It's a character from the movie "The Big Lebowski" - hilarious movie. Not sure it's appropriate for an 11 year old, but I'm not this kid's parent, so
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#19
I Made An Alien Abduction Costume For My Son
Albert De Peña 2 years ago
Perhaps a transparent tube attached to his back. It seems like an modified umbrella to be honest
Load More Replies... Ozymandias73 2 years ago
Umbrella, streamers, light rope around the edge, and not quite sure about the dome at the top. I saw someone with this the other night.
#20
My Son's Halloween Costume This Year
#21
My 5-Year-Old Wanted Nothing More Than To Be Flo For Halloween. My Wife Put This Together For Her
And if you've ever taken an active part in it, chances are you may have done a double-take at seemingly adult-sized trick-or-treaters. Some towns even ban older kids from it altogether.
According to Harmeling, such actions can be interpreted as both good and bad behavior.
#22
My Twin Daughter's Halloween Costumes Paying Homage To The 90s Classic "Clueless"
Upstaged75 2 years ago
LOL. They're toddlers! ???? Have you ever tried to ask a toddler to make a decision?
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#23
My Little Dude Seems Ready To Be Shot Into Space For Halloween
Ozymandias73 2 years ago
I could see this framed and over a fireplace. Great shot to whomever took the photo! Lil' guy's smile does it all.
Annabel Again 2 years ago
Look at that face I don't even know what to do with babies, but that's a good face right there
#24
All The Boys In My Nephew's Class Dressed As Chickens For Halloween. He Surprised Them And Showed Up As Colonel Sanders With A Real Bucket Of Kentucky Fried Chicken
"There's a biological reason behind why you're likely to grab your hand into your bag of candy and throw pounds of it to a three-year-old who's coming to your door, and then offer a single piece to that 13-year-old who's coming to your door," she said.
"It's because they are the more innocent, they're the more vulnerable."
#25
My Son's Dr. Octopus Costume Created By My Wife
#26
Happy Halloween. Here's Our Spaghetti And Meatballs. All Credit For The Costume Goes To His Momma
#27
My Super Simple Costume Idea For Halloween
zububonsai 2 years ago (edited)
Deja vu moment, thank you❤️, @OP: I did that one on the left side with my (then hip long medium blonde very straight) hair and glasses when I was bored to death at school in grades 5-8 🤣👻 (and I've never watched the Addams Family and still don't know who this character is supposed to be 🤷🏼♀️)
But Harmeling believes teenagers shouldn't feel vilified if they go out to trick-or-treat, and if a child is wavering on whether to go, parents should try to find a way to support them — and make sure Halloween is safe and fun. At the end of the day, they're trying to raise a good person, and it's a great occasion for bonding. So if you believe that some of the kids in this list are too old to be on it, maybe just look away!
#28
For Clarity, I Added LEDs To A Costume You Can Get Online. I Didn't Make This From Scratch
#29
A Little Burrito
#30
Homemade Piranha Plant Costume
Ozymandias73 2 years ago
Piranha plant? I kinda like it. (Venus Flytrap for those who didn't know)
Power puff scientist 2 years ago
its not a venus fly trap or a piranha plant in this instance, its actually an alien called audrey 2 from the little shop of horrors
Load More Replies... #31
When Your Kid Wants To Be Both A Hot Dog And Michael Myers For Halloween. Oscar Myers Is Born
#33
My 8-Year-Old Son As A Stanley Ipkiss From The Mask At His School's Halloween Contest
Panda-sized Potato 2 years ago
They call me Cuban Pete. I'm the king of the rumba beat. When I play the maracas I go chick-chicky-boom, chick-chicky boom.
#34
Hocus Pocus-Inspired Costume For Halloween
KariAdoresHerKats 2 years ago
This whole post is just amazing. And this little one is gorgeous
#35
That Is So Great, But How Does She Carry Her Treat Bag?
Metalhead Turtle 🇺🇦 2 years ago
I feel like she has someone else carry it for her. Like her parent/another adult?
#36
I Finished My Son's Mike Wazowski Costume
#37
My Son's Luigi Halloween Costume
two-sided llama 2 years ago
your carpet is so haunted you better point your vacuum , I mean ghost catching machine, at it.
#38
I Imagine This Kid Going To Each House Asking For A Specific Candy, Then Passing Out On The Steps When They Don't Have It
#39
The Headless Waiter Costume That I Made For My Son
#40
My Son Is Skull Kid From Majora's Mask For Halloween
#41
My Daughter Chose To Wear This Halloween Costume During Her Gymnastics Practice
zububonsai 2 years ago (edited)
Cool, the referees won't notice slightly bent knees and elbows! 👍🏻😎 (source: I've been a referee for female gymnastics competitions for 16 years)
#42
My Son Asked To Be Bulbasaur For Halloween
#43
Halloween With Cherry Twins
Multa Nocte 2 years ago
Do they have to stand beside each other for hours at a time, or do the cherry stems ever separate?
#44
My 6-Year-Old Nephew Wanted To Be The Mario Piranha Plant For Halloween
KariAdoresHerKats 2 years ago
I really like that parents just roll with it and go along with the kiddies ideas
#45
Halloween In The Police Cruiser
Little king trash mouth 2 years ago
My 4 year old is going as a police office this year! Just like his older brother did 4 years ago
#46
My Son's Halloween Costume
He hasn't seen "Pan's Labyrinth", but he's seen stills and decided to be the scariest kid on the block.
#47
My Son Asked To Be Hellboy For Halloween. Utter Fun To Put It Together With My Wife And Mother-In-Law
#48
Boss Baby
#49
Our Son's Halloween Costume That We Made For Him
#50
What Time Is It? Halloween Time
#51
Happy Halloween From Frida. Baby Already Had The Brows, So Naturally, This Was The Perfect Costume Idea
#52
My Daughter's Costume - Blackberry Bat. It Is Her Own Made-Up Villain
#53
This Handmade Oogie Boogie Costume
#54
My Nephew's Halloween Costume. Guess Who He Is
Giulia Fortunati 2 years ago
Identity theft is not a joke Jim! Millions of families suffer every year!
#55
I Decide To Dress My Son As A Clown For This Year's Halloween. I Made A DIY Ruffle Collar And A Cardboard Cone With Pom-Poms. Everything Was Done On Last Minute
zububonsai 2 years ago (edited)
Card board and last minute? Take my upvote for crafty thrifty inexpensive parenting.
zububonsai 2 years ago (edited)
On another note - "I decided" - hm, IMHO okay with toddlers, he doesn't look too proud... 😬🫤...
Load More Replies... #56
My Wife Went With A Local Theme For Our Son's Halloween Costume This Year
Bernd Heiligtag 2 years ago
Attaching the slide to the front would be practical but also inappropriate 😏
Keley Babs 2 years ago
They had one of those at a playground near fort sam Houston in San Antonio Texas!!! if we were running errands with my mom when I was little, she would stop and let us play on it for a few minutes!!! does anyone know where this rocketship is?
#57
I Made My Daughter's Halloween Costume. She's Our Little Chicken Nugget
Drinking my Covfefe 2 years ago
This is so adorable! I bet it would be hard for her not to play with the feathers. I know I would😂
#58
My Kid Wanted To Be Bluey From Wackadoo For Halloween
#59
My Daughter Wanted To Be A Tractor For Halloween. So I Made Her A Tractor
#60
Such Adorable Halloween Costume
#61
Happy Halloween From Buzz Lightyear
#62
My Child Dressed As Jack Dawson From "Titanic" For Halloween
#66
Homemade Huntress Costume For Daughter's Halloween
#68
Happy Halloween From Tinkerbell And Peter Pan
#69
I'm Not Sure We Can Top Last Year's Costumes, But Here We Are
#71
Aloy Halloween Costume For My Daughter. Plus Bonus Bender For My Youngest
over it already 2 years ago
Ha! I'd have such a hard time not making inappropriate Bender quotes all night.
#72
Our Halloween Costume Pic
#73
My Son Is Going To Be Frodo Baggins For Halloween
#74
My Son Dressed Up As Link From Zelda For Halloween. Shout Out To My Husband For The Handmade Shield
#76
My 8-Year-Old Wanted To Be Reaper For Halloween, So I Made Him His First Cosplay. First Cosplay I Have Ever Made, And Now I'm Hooked
#80
This Is The Halloween Costume I Made For My Son. His School Didn't Allow Weapon Accessories, So I Created A Lumafly Lantern Instead. The Whole Project Took Over 20 Hours Of Work
#81
My Daughter Dressed Up As Michael Jackson From The Smooth Criminal Music Video
#83
My 7-Year-Old Son's Little Nightmares Janitor Costume
#84
My Daughter Dressed My Grandson As A Carrot For Halloween Because She Couldn't Find A Pumpkin Costume
#87
Our Son Chose The Theme. All Costumes Handmade By Me
#88
My Daughter Wanted To Be A Lizalfos For Halloween. I Spent Every Free Moment I Had In October Making Her Costume
#89
I Have An Acute Case Of Fomo Called Fear Of Missing Out On Dressing My Last Baby As Everything For Halloween
#92
My Son Wanted To Be Motorsports Racing Driver Max Verstappen For Halloween, So I Had To Make Him A Costume
#94
My Daughter's Costume, Dani Dennison From Hocus Pocus
#95
My 6-Year-Old Wanted To Be A Evoker For Halloween, So We Made It Happen
#100
My Kid Is Chuckie Finster. I Guess That Makes Me Chas. Happy Halloween
I heart Boo-BI-es 2 years ago
Aww Chuckie is my absolute favorite! He even has a little Reptar🦖
#101
We're Looking For Paul And Ringo
#104
My Wife Dresses Our 7-Month-Old Son The Rest Of The Year, But I Get Halloween. I Might Have Taken It Too Far
#105
My Little Sister's Halloween Costume This Year. Doctor Who?
#106
Little Eddie - My Son's Halloween Costume
That guy Nic B. 2 years ago
Why was this kid watching stranger things at that age? Isn’t it like, a very adult show?
Aleesha Krieg 2 years ago
He probably didn't watch the show but Eddie was pictured EVERYWHERE last year.
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#107
We Are Reading The Tiffany Books, And My Son Wanted To Be A Feegle For Halloween. So, I Present To You This
#108
Apollo 11 And Astronaut Buzz Aldrin. This Costume Took 2 Months To Design And Build For My 5-Year-Old Son, Who Is Obsessed With The Apollo Space Mission
#109
My Son Wanted To Be Chaos Double Agent For Halloween. The Mask Took Me A Long Time To Make But He Absolutely Loved It
#110
He Doesn't Have His Sonic Yet, But My Son Will Be The 11th Doctor For Halloween, And He Is Overjoyed
#116
My Son Is Really Into Showbiz Pizza, Specifically Billy Bob. Made Him His Dream Costume
#120
My Son Chose To Dress Like A TriMet Operator For Halloween
Shelby Moonheart 2 years ago
LOL, My brother was often asked in high school if he was TriMet driver. The school uniform had the same pants for the boys as the drivers.
#124
My Daughter Wanted To Be Bismuth From Steven Universe For Halloween. So We Did Our Best With Some Help From The Internet For Ideas
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What do you think ?
Emma S 2 years ago (edited)
Americans really push the boat out when it comes to Halloween costumes. We just tend to buy costumes in the UK. When I was a kid you had a bin liner as a witches cape and you were done.
VioletHunter 2 years ago (edited)
Certainly less pressure on parents that way. Imagine if these kinds of costumes were the bar that your kid's costume is measured against by their schoolmates and your community.
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Pink kitty 2 years ago
I updated my BP app today. Apparently the update 'fixed bugs' but stories still don't load :(
Isaac Nemo 2 years ago
Some of these people can pull more talent out their noses than I have in my entire body
Emma S 2 years ago (edited)
Americans really push the boat out when it comes to Halloween costumes. We just tend to buy costumes in the UK. When I was a kid you had a bin liner as a witches cape and you were done.
VioletHunter 2 years ago (edited)
Certainly less pressure on parents that way. Imagine if these kinds of costumes were the bar that your kid's costume is measured against by their schoolmates and your community.
Load More Replies... Pink kitty 2 years ago
I updated my BP app today. Apparently the update 'fixed bugs' but stories still don't load :(
Isaac Nemo 2 years ago
Some of these people can pull more talent out their noses than I have in my entire body
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