20 Silly, Scary and All-Around Awesome Halloween Costumes for Kids

You know what’s crawled out of the muck and is creeping its way up the calendar alarmingly fast? Halloween. That’s right, time to snap out of your maple-pecan latte daydream and order your kids their costumes, pronto! Yes, I know you said you were going to hand make the costumes this year — we all said that. Some of us even went to the craft store and bought the felt and pipe cleaners and glitter, but then darling daughter changed her mind on what she wanted to be for the fiftieth time and we gave up and ordered some aspirin for ourselves and a basic failsafe mermaid costume for the kid, with a back-up Belle wig just in case. It’s good to have options.

Okay, so store-bought costumes might not be as Instagram-worthy as the designs by Crafty Sue down the block who has a degree from the Rhode Island School of Design, a bustling Etsy store, and who gets started on this stuff in June. But it’s better than being empty-handed and having to resort to the old sheet with eyeholes at the last minute (again). So get to it! Time’s a wastin’! I’ve picked out some stellar options for any theme — silly, scary, movie franchisey and even badassy. Retailers have really upped their game this year (sorry Sue). Check it out.

A costume that could quite literally fool (and terrify) the neighbors. All the more reason to get it.

Yes, there will be a million princesses out trick or treating this year. But who’s going to be sporting their own castle? Your little princess, that’s who.

I think the key takeaway for this costume lies in its product description: “wearer's own arms manipulate legs so that person being eaten by the shark appears to be kicking.” Some seriously twisted person designed this. Halloween genius!

As far as I’m concerned, you’re never too young to get your warrior princess on. This set includes the dress, belt, tiara, gauntlets, and armband.

Not just any Caped Crusader costume — this one’s been totally LEGO-fied with structured polyfoam minifigure pants and tunic, a cape, mask and even cupped hands. Initialize master builder music.

Any kid will have a “hole” lot of fun in this adorable donut costume. Complete the set with some cookies and milk for the whole family.

Everyone’s favorite summer nosh is sure to be a crowd pleaser on All Hallows’ Eve. But if breakfast is more your kid’s thing, may I suggest you try the bacon?

Don’t be surprised if your little guy or gal gets the urge to tell the other kids to “Get off of my lawn!”

A fin-tastic mermaid costume that’s ideal for under-the-sea adventures — and this one will get year-round use during dress-up play (trust me).

People will be scattering out of the way when the famed giant lizard comes marauding down the sidewalk on a path of destruction. Atomic breath not included.

One day, something happens and our sweet little boys who always wanted to dress up as superheroes suddenly only want to be really freaking creepy! This zombie (that kind of looks like a roadie for Jethro Tull) definitely fits the bill.

Life’s just sparkles and rainbows in this costume. And you can count on that horn and rainbow mane getting major reuse for dress-up play.  

Okay, this costume is kind of terrifying and not in the right way, but Captain Underpants’ legions of fans will love it.

For the Shopkins-obsessed child, a Strawberry Kiss outfit that will be totally irresistible.

Another one that’s sure to garner major double takes. Prepare for lift off.

Smells like undead teen spirit?

Because every family has a practical joker. The down side: all his friends are going to try to sit on him. 

Who’s the fairest in the land? Everybody’s favorite Descendant, Evie. The little girls on my block are sporting this costume already.

The Gadget of 2017 that just won’t go away is now a completely brilliant Halloween costume.

Who wouldn’t want to be wearing this totally badass Red Queen costume? I know what I’m being.