9/12/12

Halloween costume ideas and tips for babies, toddlers and big kids!

So, Halloween.

As a rule I hate Halloween. My mother single-handedly ruined this horrid holiday for me by the time I was 10.  From the age of five all the way to ten-years-old, my mom would throw a sheet over my head, hand me a pillow case, and send my big sister, brother and I on our way. Dammit! A white sheet with yellow trim does not equal a ghost. Sorry, I'll save the rest of that for the therapist. Needless to say, I'm totally scared. Oliver will NEVER be a sheet for Halloween.

Thankfully since having a baby, I am really looking forward to Halloween!  I finally have a child to parade around to get me free candy.  I am so excited to be that parent! You know, the one that drags their toothless baby around with the pumpkin head candy holder with the balls to say, "Trick or Treat." Oh man, I can't wait!

The Oliver family is going to be Star Wars characters. I know huge surprise there.  I will be Princes Leia, FTD will be Luke and our sweet baby is going to be Yoda.  At first we couldn't decide between R2D2 and Yoda. The R2D2 onsie w/ hat costume was SO cute, but we went with Yoda because the costume is warm, full robe and hat. (photos below)  Where we live it is usually cold by Halloween, so we need something warm. The last thing I want is to have a super cute costume that has to be covered up by a coat or blanket.  Remember, I am dragging Ollie's ass door to door for my free candy!

I did do a bit of research on costumes for babies and kids and here are the top five things to consider when choosing a costume for your little one.

1. Make sure the costume is weather appropriate. Beauty should not be pain for babies and toddlers.  (#hellotoddlersintiaras)

2.  If a mask is involved make sure it is easy to remove, does not fit too snugly and  allows for ease of breathing, through both the mouth and nose.

*Hats and masks could pose a problem for babies and toddlers. They will want to rip them off. Hats are best secured with chin straps using velcro to hold the hat in place The velcro will easily break away in an emergency situation.

3. Face and/or body paint on babies is not recommended. If it is necessary it should be free of all toxins.

4. Make sure the fabric is not "itchy." This is a sure fire way to end up in the sheet costume.

5. The costume should fit properly, not too long or tight.  With all of the running, jumping and skipping from door to door, the costume needs to move easily with the child.


What is your little sprout going to be for Halloween?  Are you making a costume or buying one? Are you going to drag your little one around for free candy too?  If so, what are looking forward to getting?  I LOVE Kit Kats!


 (FYI: I am going to open a new page on the top bar for 'Halloween Babies'. If you are interested please send me your sweet or scary Halloween baby photo so we all can see! firsttimemomanddad @gmail.com)






We got our costumes at Halloween Express.  Honestly, The Yoda costume did leave more to be desired. Very thin felt material and poorly made.

Two confused parents=One amused baby Hopelessly we are trying raise a baby who is clearly smarter than both of us. April is an award-winning writer and blogger. Her work has been published in over ten countries and four languages. From books to newspapers, to print/online magazines and everything in between, you can find her work. For more on April, Visit AprilMcCormick.com

19 comments:

Mrs. Loquacious said...

We probably won't be dressing up for Halloween. Maybe when Baby L is old enough to want to, but until then I'm gonna save on costume money and buy my own Kit Kats ;)

Unknown said...

Jealous! We don't really have Halloween here, a couple years back I did a halloween feast for the boys but turns out they're not quite as brave as they make out and all the food creeped them out, haha!
So now costumes here sadly, however I will be honouring your tradition on your behalf with a shiteload of kit kats!

Unknown said...

oooooooh the Yoda is perfect! hahaha! I love it! and yeah- Chase was NOT feeling the hood for his costume- so we may be improvising. Kaely's costume kept me up yesterday- got far enough to have her try it on, and damn! I could fit into it. So lots of alterations to do - but I'm waiting another month. :) Unfortunately we run the risk of it being blazing hot Halloween and everyone being sweaty and miserable- oh well- pumpkin time is the best!

Anonymous said...

Our matison is going to be a green mnm because of her initials being mnm. Still searching for a decent deal on one. And I am so THAT mom, ready toknock on doors for "mattie's/mommy's" free candy. Being an avid tim burton fan /jack skellington tattoo and all/ we watched the nightmare before christmas the other day and she loved it, proving that she did get something awesome from her mommy afterall. So needless to say Halloween is my own personal christmas and I am so looking forward to matison's reaction to all the ghosties and gobblins out trick or treating :) BTW cutest yoda ever ollie is. :D

foodpixie said...

You know our house is very DIY. My best idea so far as a family was to go as Futurama characters: Frye, Leela, and Nibbler. I'm just not sure if I feel that confident wearing a Leela costume.

Your bubs is too cute!

Unknown said...

Adorable. I can't wait to see picture of you, Miss Princess!

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

Every year we go to my sister's neighborhood and make a big deal out of Halloween for my 4 nephews. Even the parents who give out candy dress up!

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

Love it! Show those Kiwis what Anerican candy crazy is all about!! Xx

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

October is a funny month for weather. My wedding on 10-10-10 it was 74 degrees. Halloween was 65. Two years prior it snowed! You really never know. I wish I was crafty and creative like you.

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

Um, yeah... I'm wearing a princess leia hoodie with bun ear muffs. The most awesome princess ever!

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

LOL!!! The moment you realize your child will be awesome because you are... Please send a photo of your MnM!

Happy Little Feet said...

Oh my gosh he is so so so cute!!! I love it!

Kitten said...

I love Halloween and holidays in general. I'm super psyched about it coming up because of Noelle. This year I suspect we will have a policeman and a strawberry, but it might be Dash Incredible and an owl. Nathan's first year he was a plump pumpkin.

Is Luke going to carry Yoda on his back? Extra points if he acts out scenes from training.

AussieMummy said...

Hahahaha... Sooooooooo cute!!! And I love his cheeky grin, seriously cutest outfit ever! As you know, there is no Halloween in Australia :( so we won't be doing anything.

Alissa said...

So freaking adorable!! He even has a lightaber... too awesomely cute. Ollie will have a costume twin as James is going as Yoda as well! We have a cat named Yoda so I'll get a picture of baby James Yoda and Yoda the cat together and send it to you.

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

I know... I'm sorry. When I was there I knocked on my mother in-laws door for fun. I'll get some candy for you and C. xx

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

YAY! We have a green saber at my sisters. I cannot wait to see the photo!

FirstTimeMomandDad.com said...

Thank you! xx

Layes Landing said...

Killin' me with cuteness! LOVE it!