Toddler Halloween costumes need to be functional as well as cute. Toddlers are active, which means they may need to be able to get out of a costume bottom in a hurry for bathroom breaks. Because toddlers are so lively, you may wish to consider not using masks as they tend to restrict a kid's vision, especially peripheral vision, and may become agitating. Here are some ideas for adorable toddler Halloween costumes. Whether you do it yourself, or purchase, there are plenty of creative ideas from which to choose.
Superheroes
If your toddler loves superheroes, there are many popular ones right now, given the influx of Hollywood superhero blockbusters in recent years. Superman and Batman costumes are especially easy to make. You just need single color shirt and pants (blue for Superman; black for Batman), and a cape of the appropriate color (red for Superman, black for Batman). Then make either a big "S" on a triangle, or a gold bat from felt or material, and affix it to the middle of the shirt. For Superman, add some bright red underwear over the blue pants. For Batman, make ears from craft wire and cover them in black fabric and tie them over the head and under the chin for the head part of the mask. Do the rest with makeup. Girl superhero costumes are less popular, but you can adjust the above to make Supergirl or Batgirl. Add a skirt instead of the pants.
Princesses, Fairies and Ballerinas
These are easy to find, purchase or make, and be as creative and sparkly as you can. Essentials include sequined tutus or dress-up dresses, tights, dress shoes, and a tiara. A wand is a nice touch for the princess or fairy, ballet slippers for the ballerina. Put the child's hair up in a bun or clips for a fancy "do."
Food
It's fun to dress your toddler up as food. Candy will usually get their enthusiasm, and it fits with the Halloween idea! Make your own by replicating the label of the candy on a long t-shirt or long pillowcase. Make a head hole and arm holes if you use the long pillowcase. You could also make a big lollipop by dressing your little one in white shirt and pants (the stick part), making a big cardboard circle with a hole for the face in the middle, and painting bright swirls on it. Hold it around the back of the head with elastic, as you would a mask. Make a collar out of cellophane for the wrapper, and loosely tie a wide ribbon around the top to hold it on. Use face paints to continue the swirl of the lollypop.
Animals and bugs
Animal costumes are easy to find and easy to make. With single color shirt and pants pajamas or jumpsuits, you can use washable markers to add spots or stripes as desired and they will wash out easily. Dress in yellow and add wings with any material from cardboard to craft feathers, and a feathery hat for an easy bird, chicken or duck. Make ears from craft foam or construction paper and put them on a headband to be bear, dog, cat, or bunny. Attach pipe cleaners and pom poms to a headband for antennae for a ladybug or bee.
Random items
It's awfully fun to dress your toddler as something creative and cute, such as a game dice (use a box, cut a head hole and arm holes, decorate), q-tip (white pants/shirt and cotton batting around the head), or cell phone (again with the box, just make a placard style body cover to hang over the neck, draw on buttons, and make the screen from a big cardboard rectangle with a hole for the face to be in the center. Affix it to the kid's head like a mask, with elastic around the back).
Whatever you choose, be sure to have fun with the process and involve your little one in the Halloween spirit. The point is, after all, to have an amazing evening full of mirth and laughter.
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