Get inspiration for your family’s Halloween celebrations with these group costumes, themed adventures and outfits perfect for youngsters.
Movie-Inspired
“The Fox and the Hound,” a Walt Disney film, was the perfect fit for 17-month-old Mason and 1-year-old Maeve.
Get the Classics
Brother and sister Olivia, 6, (Red Riding Hood) and Caleb, 12, (Big Bad Wolf) acted out “Little Red Riding Hood,” which could be a barrel of laughs for the family.
Dress up the Family
The Lunde Family, Daniel and Becca with kids Levi, Ezra and Selah, has been doing family-themed costumes for several years. Their most recent has been from Star Wars (old and new generation), but they also have done themes of “Peter Pan.” This Halloween, the family choose “Harry Potter.”
The couple says they get the kids involved in the planning, which usually takes place in the summer.
They don’t go out and buy elaborate costumes, according to Becca, who adds that the family gets their outfits from thrift stores. “We always have fun with costumes,” Becca says. “We make it a fun family activity they can look forward to every year. We will do it as long as the kids will let us.”
Career Costumes
What do your kids want to be when they grow up? Here are some costume ideas. Jacob (Mail Carrier), Zoey (Train Engineer), Phillip (Marine), Ava (Chef), Reed (Police Officer) and Kinley (Nurse).
Sensory-Friendly
Jaden, 10, and Brycen, 9, of Orange, wore peanut butter and jelly costumes. Jackie Parambil says the costumes were super easy, soft with no buttons or accessories, which is especially helpful for Brycen, who has Down syndrome and autism. She says one year, they put Brycen in Halloween pajamas because they were comfortable and festive, and she didn’t have to worry about the sensory issues. Parambil adds that she has revolved his costumes around something he loves.
“One year, he was a grape and he loves grapes,” she says. “Even though he didn’t really understand the concept of the costume, other people knew he loves grapes.”
However, it’s OK if your child doesn’t participate in the Halloween activities. “If you have more than one child and one of your children has special needs, you want to include them in everything, but sometimes not including them is best for them and their siblings,” Parambil says. Don’t feel guilty or bad about it, she adds, as it could be a sensory overload for your child with special needs.
“Seek out sensory-friendly events,” Parambil advises. “There, everyone is familiar with the same issues you are dealing with. And, it’s OK that they are not doing what every kid is doing.”
All photos taken in Medina County Park District’s Green Leaf Park in Sharon Center.