How much are you planning to spend on Halloween this year? The special occasion can be a fun time for the whole family, but in 2023 you may be looking to stay on budget with the inflated pricing on everything from candy to spacesuits.
This guide will help you stay within your means this year. We’re covering budget friendly costumes for all kids, including those with disabilities. We’ll also share some price-conscious snacks and crafts to keep the entire family in the Halloween spirit.
Budget-Friendly Costumes
At the typical pop-up Halloween shop, costumes can start anywhere from $30-$40, which may be out of your pocketbook’s reach this year. Try one of these fun ideas with the kids, and get them involved in the creation of the costume.
DIY Ghost — Any long, white piece of fabric will do to make this costume as long as you’re willing to cut holes in it for the eyes! An old towel, curtain, sheet or tablecloth can be transformed into a cute ghost costume.
Superhero — This one you can really get creative! Dress up your kid in bright colored clothing and make a cape out of a towel or sheet. Use string, tape and cut a couple paper towel rolls to make goggles. Give your child a piece of cardboard to make an emblem and add it to complete the look.
Furry Friends — Makeup and face paint can be used to create cute animal faces. Put together an outfit of all one color and off you go!
Costumes for Kids with Disabilities
Every child deserves to embrace the magic of Halloween, regardless of their abilities. Here are a few costumes designed to accommodate every unique ability. Whether you’re in a wheelchair or need sensory guidance, the joy of Halloween is possible.
Wheelchair Racer — Turn the wheelchair into a fast race car with colorful cardboard and decorations. Add streamers and make a steering wheel out of a foam tube for the finishing touch.
Sensory Space Explorer — Craft a space-themed costume with loose, breathable layers. Use soft, stretchy materials and avoid tight elastic bands or itchy accessories. A designed cardboard box can fit over your child and their mobility device if needed.
Emoji Costume — Emojis are a universal language, making them an excellent choice. Create an oversized emoji face on a costume, and your child can express themselves through various expressions.
Trending Costumes
The hot costumes on the market right now are all linked to the top movies and TV shows.
There are plenty of boys, girls, moms, and dads dressing up as Barbie and Ken from the Barbie movie.
The kids want to be part of Ariel’s world by dressing up as the beautiful Little Mermaid, shell top with starfish earrings to match.
A family of five could easily dress up as the dynamic duo of Mario and Luigi, with Princess Peach, Toad, and Bowser by their side. Need more characters? Don’t forget about Donkey Kong and Yoshi. (Spoiler alert for those who watched to the very end of the credits!)
If you’ve seen Taylor Swift on her The Eras Tour, she has dozens of costume changes. We wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a few strolling down the sidewalk on Halloween night.
Wednesday Addams’ classic look gives a button-down and a pleated skirt a whole new meaning for the spooky holiday. This is another good option for a family costume if you round it out with the rest of the Addams family crew.
Easy Pumpkin Carving & Other Halloween Crafts for Kids
Pumpkin carving is a great Halloween tradition, and it’s even better when the whole family comes together to create a group of pumpkin friends. Kids love getting their hands dirty pulling out the insides of the pumpkin, and they can get creative with their faces. Pumpkin carving always takes some adult supervision for the little ones, so here are some tips on how to keep this craft safe and not as messy.
Choose the Right Pumpkin: Find one that’s free from bruises, mold or soft spots. Smaller pumpkins are good for kids because they are easier to handle and carve.
Prepare the Workers: Just like in art class, this could be a good time to throw on an old t-shirt or smock to protect clothing. Pumpkin will wash out, but it may leave a stain.
Prepare the Workspace: Carving is great to do outside if you want less mess in the house. If you are staying indoors, cover your carving area with newspapers or a disposable tablecloth to catch pumpkin guts and minimize mess. Wet wipes can be a game-changer.
Get the Right Tools: Use kid-friendly pumpkin carving tools that have blunt edges but can still cut through the pumpkin’s skin. Look for affordable kid pumpkin carving sets online or in dollar stores.
Scooping Made Easy: Children can use spoons or pumpkin scoops to remove seeds and pulp. It’s less messy and safer than using hands. Remind kids to scoop gently to avoid damaging the pumpkin’s interior.
Design Simplified: Looking for ideas for some simple face designs for little ones to carve? Use washable markers to draw the design on the pumpkin first. There are plenty of ideas online to try. Make sure you emphasize safety and remind children to keep fingers away from the cutting path.
Pumpkin Gut Disposal: There’s no better way to get rid of pumpkin guts than right away! Keep a trash bag nearby, or baggies so you can save pumpkin seeds for roasting later!
Cleanup: Throw away all pumpkin remnants and clean the carving tools and workspace. Wash hands thoroughly to remove any pumpkin residue.
If you can’t carve pumpkins, another option is to paint different faces on the pumpkin.
