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| © Daisy Anderson / Pexels |
By Roxanna Coldiron, Martha Stewart
Dress yourself and your family in a group costume that will be the life (or the spook) of the Halloween party! When trying to come up with ideas for a group Halloween costume, it is best to start with a theme; then, you'll be able to each family member's costume around that pre-selected idea. How to choose your theme? We like the idea having a family meeting about it, especially when you have children who are older, and asking everyone what they would like to do. Mermaids are a popular costume, so the family could go as under-the-sea creatures for a picture-perfect family costume.
Costumes that have things in common can also work well together. For example, the Baby Bluebird costume is adorable on its own, but when you add in a Birdwatcher costume for the parents, you've created a delightful theme that works well for parties or group trick-or-treating. And you don't have to go full costume either. Makeup and headpieces can make a family costume a breeze to pull off! The Cat and Kitten makeup is a fun and adorable way for a mom and child to coordinate their Halloween costumes. And how fun is it to make silly headpieces that the entire family wears to create their own skyline of the city?
You can easily and quickly put together a family costume with these ideas. The good thing is that they can be modified to fit your family size. Expand on the ideas to find the perfect costume for your group. Then, enjoy a spooktastic Halloween season.
Sloth and Tree Costumes
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| © Provided by Martha Stewart |
There's no trick-or-treater too small for Halloween. The trick to this duo? We used a baby wrap carrier to disguise a smiling little one as a sloth slinging from a tree branch. To create this costume, print the template onto 8 1/2-by-11-inch paper and cut out. Use the template to cut out felt shapes, then glue the pieces together, and pin them to Baby's wrap and hat. Mom can wear brown and tuck leaves in her hair.
Bluebird and Birdwatcher Costumes
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| © Janelle Jones |
As an avid birdwatcher, your little bird is never far from sight with a pair of binoculars. Other than the hat and a canteen (available at camping-supply stores), this costume can be assembled entirely from clothes from your closet. Choose an outfit that consists of neutral, outdoorsy pieces, such as the safari-style jacket and brown pants shown, and don't forget a pair of sensible shoes. For the bluebird costume, use our pattern and basic sewing supplies to create a pair of detachable wings.
Under-the-Sea Costumes
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| © Janelle Jones |
Ready to dive into something new? For a family of little ones, the ocean still holds a depth of mystery and awe. Designate one of your kids as the Mermaid, encouraging her to make her own whimsical accessories like a seashell crown and a tail of satin, tulle, and metallic trim. Meanwhile, the rest of the kids can dress up as their favorite undersea creatures: a goldfish, a snappy Lobster, an eight-legged Octopus, or a Jellyfish (outfitted with a clever umbrella-disguised-accessory in the event that it rains). You can even join in the fun as a scuba diver or an ever watchful lifeguard at the shore.
Three Musketeers Costumes
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| © Glenn Glasser |
All for fun, fun for all! A night of trick-or-treating awaits the dashing Three Musketeers. If you're a family of three—or have three little ones—then why not embody the legendary literary trio? Give everyone a pullover vest (using our templates), a collared cape, and a Fleur-de-lis insignia—and the evening will be full of swashbuckling adventure and candy treasures.
Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf Costumes
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| © Anna Williams |
Embrace the charm of classic storybook characters with these easy-to-make costumes for Mom and Dad, or son and daughter. For her, a gown and namesake hood is cut and sewn from a length of crimson jersey and tied with a wide ribbon at the waist. For him, the dapper wolf wears a suit with a red cravat, and his fur is styled from two shaggy wigs. (For the wolf head, cut 2 large triangular sections—as ears—from one wig and hot-glue them in place to the second wig.) Faux fangs are the only sign of his true nature.
Storm Chaser and Tornado Costumes
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| © Chelsea Cavanaugh |
As siblings, they can have an admittedly stormy relationship at times, but they complement each other well as a storm chaser and tornado. A younger sister can be a great storm chaser with some hair gel and a flipped umbrella. All you need is a tornado, and that's easy enough to create with a tomato cage and tulle.
Lion and Gladiator Costumes
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| © Barbara Donninelli |
They tussle in roughhouse play as it is, so why not personify their sibling rivalry? Dress one as the stalwart gladiator and the other as a courageous lion. Construct the gladiator's costume using hardware store supplies: museum board, a window shade, and prong fasteners, plus our templates. Similarly, the lion's costume is a clever assembly of fringe garlands and a hoodie. For both, there's no sewing skills required.
Napoleon and Josephine Costumes
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| © Glenn Glasser |
For a sibling costume that is simply, as the French say, incroyable, pair brother and sister together as Napoleon and Josephine. He may not have learned his French history yet, but a boy would love dressing up in Napoleon's regalia nevertheless. And, similarly, a girl will love dressing up in Josephine's glamorous Empire-style gown with period jewelry and a fancy updo.
Lamb and Chicken Costumes
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| © Janelle Jones |
This funny farm duo—a chicken and a lamb—pair up together in the cutest costume idea for siblings, cousins, or even best friends. Both costumes use wearable patterns in simple soft materials to ensure that the kids feel comfortable for a night of trick-or-treating. A parent can keep a close watch over the flock as they make their rounds through the neighborhood as Old MacDonald.
Tulip and Rose Flower Costumes
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| © Provided by Martha Stewart |
A blooming crepe-paper tulip cap and rosebud headband—each in pastel hues—turn a mother-daughter duo into a sprightly pair.
Superhero Costumes
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| © Provided by Martha Stewart |
Every kid is a superhero, and parents can join in as well. Start with t-shirts and leggings as the base for the costume. Then add headbands and belts and other accessories to make your own unique superhero.
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