5 Tips For Choosing A Halloween Costume For Your Child

Choosing a Halloween costume for your child isn't always easy. While kids are guaranteed to have a few specific looks they love, there are a number of special considerations that parents have to make concerning safety, comfort and all-around affordability. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when shopping for that perfect costume.

Choose An Outfit That's Flame Resistant

Whether your little ones will be trick-or-treating, or attending Halloween parties, there is a high probability that they will encounter lit jack-o'-lanterns and other holiday decorations with heated features or open flames. Although your child may not come in direct contact with these things, it's still a good idea to choose outfits that are flame resistant. This is also a great reason to look for an all-inclusive outfit at a local party store, rather than experimenting with a variety of crafting materials that aren't as likely to be well-labeled.

Familiarize Yourself With Store Policies

Costume sizes can vary widely between different manufacturers and stores. A size that may fit well from one brand could prove too snug from another. Always look for sizing charts that include exact body measurements. More importantly, make sure that you know the return policies of the store. If you buy an outfit online that isn't large enough to fit your youngster comfortably, make sure that you won't have to pay restocking fees and that the outfit can be returned or exchanged in time for Halloween festivities.

Consider The Weather

Even if you live in an area that's prone to experiencing extended summers, keep the traditional fall weather in mind. Choose a costume that has plenty of layers or that's large enough to be worn over regular clothes. Kids will have far more fun going from door to door if their teeth aren't chattering.

Look For Safe, Child-Appropriate Accessories

Make sure that the costume you choose isn't heavily reliant upon accessories. You don't want your kindergartner carrying around a plastic sword all night in order for people to identify who he or she is. Accessories should be safe, easy to tote and easy to do away with if necessary.

Shop Around For Halloween Costume Ideas

Check out a store like Party City to get a few Halloween costume ideas for your kids. In addition to finding a large selection of pre-packaged, complete ensembles, you'll also find plenty of separates that you can piece together to create a look for your child that's all his or her own, which is exactly what my son did.

He is very indecisive and with so may choices, it was really hard for him to choose. If your kids are into Nickelodeon like my kid is, Party City had quite a few Nickelodeon costumes to choose from. They had full costumes, or you could mix and match to make your child’s favorite Nickelodeon character. My son must have stared at the costume wall for like ten minutes before deciding that he wanted to make his own costume instead of going with a pre-packaged costume.  He decided that he wanted to be SpongeBob (again) this year and picked out a SpongeBob shirt and some accessories.

Meanwhile, hubby was having fun with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle costume components and had fun going down the scary aisle.