Trick or Treating! A baby or toddler may not understand what the phrase means, but they can still have fun participating in the Halloween festivities. Of course, baby’s first vacations are really for parents, as baby probably won’t remember any of them, so feel free to dress her little one however she wishes; there will be a day when they won’t want you to wear it anymore. ! Have fun with it and take lots of photos. In the following paragraphs, we’ll give you some baby costume ideas, as well as safety tips and fun activity ideas for parents to do with their little ones around Halloween.

How to choose a costume

Halloween is a time for young and old to be whatever they want to be for a day. A Star Wars character? No problem. Superman? Excellent. One princess? in witch? A ghost? The list goes on and on. In the case of the baby, his costume is based on what the parents want him to be that day. When brainstorming your baby’s costume ideas, you’ll first want to decide what genre of costume you want to pursue. Parents often want their baby’s costume to match the rest of the family, so you may want to choose the other family member’s costumes first, then find a matching baby costume.

Basic genres of clothing

Inspired by TV and movies: This type of costume includes television and movie characters from yesterday and today. Examples of this type of costume are: Superman, Supergirl, The Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Spiderman, Dora The Explorer, Go Diego Go!, Buzz Lightyear, Travelocity Roaming Gnome, Shrek, Scooby Doo, Mickey or Minnie Mouse, Elmo, Wizard of Oz, Sesame Street characters, Batman or Robin, Star Wars characters, Hulk, The Smurfs, Baby Eeyore, Thomas the Train, Yogi Bear, Curious George, Muppets characters

Fantasy/Storybook: Pirate, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Tinker Bell, Belle, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland

Occupation/Hobby: Fisherman, Doctor, Soldier, Sailor, Rock Star, Astronaut, Firefighter, Soldier, Police Officer, Baseball Player, Golfer, Nurse, Soccer Player, Basketball Player, Soccer Player, Veterinarian, Lawyer

Animal: Some examples of animal costumes are: Lion, Lady Bug, T-Rex, Dragon, Tiger, Monkey, Lobster, Bumblebee, Lamb, Butterfly, Elephant, Cow, Puppy, Triceratops, Kangaroo, Frog, Pengiun, Skunk, Bat, Rabbit, Alligator, Kitten, Spider, Bear, Pig, Octopus, Panda Bear, Guppy

Funny: Little Monster, Crayon, Woopie Cushion, Chili Pepper, Hot Dog, Pizza Slice, Billion Dollar Baby, Strawberry, Candy Corn, Pea in a Pod, Jack in the Box, Tootsie Roll

classic: Witch, Skeleton, Devil/Angel, Frankenstein, Ghost, Mummy, Zombie, Flower, Vampire, Pumpkin, Clown, Cowboy/Cowgirl, Angel, Ragamuffin

Make, buy or borrow?

After deciding on a costume idea, you’ll need to decide whether you want to make your baby’s costume yourself or buy one. You might also consider borrowing a costume from a relative or friend whose baby has grown too big (which is probably the most cost-effective costume idea you’ll find).

When it comes to shopping, most baby costumes range from $19.99 to $49.99. You can even find some on clearance for $14.99 at select stores and websites. There are also costumes for older children, teens, and adults, so you may want to consider buying all of your family’s costumes at the same time to take advantage of free shipping opportunities and coupons.

If you decide you want to make the baby’s costume yourself, bravo! This gives you the opportunity to make a truly unique and custom costume just for your little one. There are many websites that offer patterns for baby costumes, and you can also try looking for Halloween patterns and fabrics at your local fabric store.

*Note- For newborns and very young babies, a good option is themed pajamas. In pajamas, baby will stay comfortable and secure while dressing up as an animal, skeleton, ghost, demon, goblin or other festive creature.

Safety and Comfort Suit

Whether you make, buy or borrow your baby’s costume, the first and foremost consideration is your baby’s comfort and safety. Please note that the costume should not be too tight or tied, especially around the neck. The baby will not have a good Halloween if her movements are restricted or if she is too hot. If you decide to wear a costume with a headdress, make sure it’s not squeezing the baby’s head. Many babies and toddlers don’t like things on their heads, so the headdress can be ripped off during the holidays or even before. In addition, we recommend that you do not wear a mask on your baby’s outfit as this could be dangerous or at least frightening your baby. If you choose to paint the baby’s face, use non-toxic paints to ensure that the baby’s sensitive skin is protected and to prevent the baby from ingesting anything toxic (since the paint could run if the baby sweats, or the baby could lick around its mouth).

Other important things to consider

The weather– Is it usually cold or still a bit warm around Halloween time where you live? If you have your heart set on a summer costume for your baby and it will be cold where you live, be sure to pack a thick coat and cover the baby with items such as leg warmers (which can be placed on the baby’s arms or legs to warm up), gloves, socks, and shoes or boots. If the baby tolerates a hat, consider a matching winter hat or another hat that covers the baby’s head and ears.

The type of event you will attend– If you are going to a pumpkin patch or other outdoor event, consider what the outside temperature will most likely be. However, if you are attending a celebration indoors and it is cold outside, be sure to remove the layers of the baby’s costume when you go in so that the baby stays warm on the trip there and back but remains comfortable inside the event. .

other people’s costumes– As you probably know, babies and infants can easily get started. If you are attending an event where adults and teens will be dressing up, or planning to go trick-or-treating, it is important to keep in mind that your baby could be frightened. Some adult costumes can be very scary, even for the baby’s parents, so it’s important to keep in mind that you may have to change your plans if the baby isn’t enjoying the festivities. Certain babies won’t be able to handle a situation like this, so try to gauge what kind of event you think your baby is ready for and plan accordingly.

Fun Halloween Activity Ideas

Throw a Halloween party

Organize your own Halloween party and invite your friends, family and your children.; When you host her own party, baby can enjoy the Halloween festivities in her own home with people he’s already familiar with. In your own home, you’ll have more control over what the baby is exposed to, such as certain costumes (you can ask guests to remove scary masks, etc. when they’re around the baby – most guests probably won’t mind). matter, since your intention is probably not to scare small babies!) You could have a small gathering or go all out and make cute invitations, decorations, food, drinks, games, and favors. Just make sure decorations and games don’t have small pieces that your baby can grab. There are many websites that offer great Halloween party ideas, so have fun and start planning!

Community Organized Events

Sometimes there are planned Halloween events at local churches, schools, shopping malls, museums, fire stations, zoos, and YMCAs. In some cities there are even Halloween parades and carnivals. It’s important to do a little research on each event first to see if it’s going to be something you think your baby or toddler could handle and hopefully enjoy. Many of these events will have lots of other kids in attendance so your baby can be entertained watching the kids play and do activities (and it’s even better if you have an older child because she can join in while the baby watches). You can usually find a good list of events in your local newspaper or online by searching for “Halloween Events for Kids in ______” and adding your city in the blank.

pumpkin patches

Pumpkin patches are a great place to take a baby or toddler for Halloween! Babies will love looking at all the pumpkins and watching older kids do the hayride, corn maze, face painting, mini train, pony rides, or other activities on offer. Many pumpkin patches also have farm animals around which babies tend to enjoy looking at and, in some cases, petting. As with other activities, don’t forget to bring a jacket and extra clothes for the baby if it’s a cold October.

Trick or treat (if you dare!)

Many parents who have older children decide to take the baby for a walk, and others choose to take the baby trick-or-treating to show off their cute costume and be sociable. Either way, it’s essential to remember that your baby can’t handle what older children can do, and therefore her limit will likely hit long before the other children, especially if she gets scared. If you go as a family, make sure you have a “backup plan” in case the baby gets tired or freaked out, such as one parent taking the baby home and the other staying with any other children who want to follow along. asking for candy. . It is also highly recommended to take the baby alone to the houses of friends or relatives to avoid possible scares. Some people enjoy making their house and costume as scary as possible for trick-or-treating and while an older child may think this is “cool,” a toddler or infant most likely won’t!

This Halloween our daughter will be 11 months old and we are beyond excited to pick the right costume and event for her. Whatever you decide to do with your baby, don’t forget to bring your camera and your baby wonder. We wish you a very happy and safe Halloween!