This Halloween is for anyone, regardless of age. There is no age that dressing up in a costume, whether it is cute or scary, funny or clever, is not a thrill for everyone that is or may be involved. This goes the same for the young toddlers in your life. However, there are some special accommodations and considerations that must be made when it comes to the topic of toddler Halloween costumes. Here are some of my tips for finding really great toddler Halloween costumes – with none of the head aches.

First of all, toddler Halloween costumes are obviously different for their intended wearers than other Halloween costumes. What do I mean by this? Well, first of all, toddlers are, by the very suggestion of the term ‘toddler’, still working out some mobility issues. Some are great walkers, some are still crawling, and some can run down the block in a flash. For this reason, consider how a costume can have an impact on your toddler’s abilities of mobility. Toddler Halloween costumes that impede movement can be a serious blow to a toddler that just learned how to walk.

Second of all, toddler Halloween costumes need to have… easy access. Being potty trained is not a skill learned by all toddlers equally. And even those that have graduated from diapers are still probably not experts at the complication that is a zipper. Finding toddler Halloween costumes that can allow for easy access for a quick bathroom break or necessary diaper change is nearly worth the money alone. On the contrary, there is no quicker path to a miserable Halloween than a toddler Halloween costume with a complicated and time-intensive process to remove it and put on.

As for what the toddler Halloween costumes should actually look like, I can leave that to you. Toddlers are, by and large, exceedingly cute and whatever costume you put them in, it will almost certainly create some very cute toddler Halloween costumes. The only suggestion I would make is that this is one of very few opportunities you might have to dress up your child in a costume that is not of their choosing. For that reason, I would go with the most embarrassing option you can, if only for the future photo albums. However you choose, take the appropriate practical steps to have a very happy Haloween with your toddler Halloween costumes.

Thanksgiving isn’t generally celebrated as lavishly as its neighbors this Halloween and Christmas, but it’s an important holiday in its own right that you’d be well served to use as an opportunity to teach your kids not only American history, but life’s lessons about thankfulness to God, humility and tolerance that can go on to serve them well for the rest of their lives.

One way to aid this goal is to search for Thanksgiving costumes and let your kids play out the parts of the Pilgrims and the American Indians who saved them that first, brutal winter in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Though there were earlier attended “thanksgivings” – the holiday itself has its roots in the harvest festivals of autumn – the concept of a specific American Thanksgiving came from the Pilgrims of Plymouth Plantation in 1621. Plus this is always a hit to wear as a haloween costume. Money well spent.

William Bradford, the first pastor of Plymouth Plantation and de facto leader of the Pilgrims, wrote in his memoir Of Plymouth Plantation:

They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck a meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to the proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports.

So there’s your first idea for thanksgiving costumes – one could be William Bradford, the pastor of the Pilgrims, and have him or her read from the book about that famous winter.

Just as important to the history of Thanksgiving in America is the role of Squanto, a Patuxent indian “who resided with the Wampanoag tribe, taught the Pilgrims how to catch eel and grow corn and served as an interpreter for them (Squanto had learned English as a slave in Europe and travels in England),” according to wikipedia. Thanksgiving costumes that are Squanto, or more generically American Indian themed, aren’t difficult to find online or in stores.

And, if none of that suits you, there’s always the most traditional of Thanksgiving costumes: The Silly Turkey.

Finding a halloween costume for teens

If your teen is a typical teenager, he or she is interested in finding the best costume that expresses their individuality without verging from the preconceived notions of what is acceptable amongst their peers. In other words they want to be distinct, but not unique – that is to say, they want to stand out but not be “one of a kind.”

That sort of makes it hard to come up with a halloween costume for teens, as it rules out the traditional haloween costumes right from the start. Or does it? This is where a bit of creativity could stand you in good stead.

If you want your teen to be distinct but not unique, you could go with not just a vampire, but a vampire from the Twilight series of books, or the TrueBlood television series. It’s a halloween costume for teens that’ll draw attention for being something relateable and distinct, but won’t draw attention for making them entirely “different” from the rest of their peers. Given the attitudes and social fabric of junior high and high school, that’s the best favor you can give your child.

Of course there are other concerns beyond finding the perfect outfit for your little superstar. One of the worries many parents have, especially if they have a teenage daughter, is the hyper-sexualization of young women. That makes finding a halloween costume for teens – especially girls – a bit of a harrowing experience.

“Sexy policewoman,” for example, is not an appropriate halloween costume for teens, but you’ll see it sold in just about every costume shop and even some toy stores in sizes that are designed for 12-14 year olds. It’s astonishing that people would let their little girls dress up like that.

Of course it’s not just “sexy policewoman,” it’s “sexy nurse,” “sexy magician’s assistant,” “sexy cat” and “sexy undead-mummy thing.” I, for one, was surprised to see a mummy with a mini-skirt. My naivete knows no bounds when it comes to raising children, I suppose.

So just keep the above in mind when you want to come up with a halloween costume for teens. Keep it simple but distinct, and try to take an active but not overbearing hand in the idea and design – that way you’re more likely to keep it at least a bit modest, and will be able to guide them towards ideas that are age-appropriate.

There are many firsts in the life of each child. When you think about each of these, your child can not do much to participate, but you want to have good memories to share with them in the future. Some like to get Halloween costumes for infants, even if that child is not going to go out and do anything on that day. Some of these are really cute, and most are safe, but you do have to be careful. You may only put the outfit on your baby for a few minutes to take pictures, but in the long run, you will be glad that you took the time to do it.

When you think of Halloween costumes for infants, you probably think of the traditional costume that goes with the theme of Halloween. You probably do not want to dress your infant up in something scary, but rather, something cute and potentially cuddly. After all, what is more fun that cuddling your baby? Some of these costumes for infants come in very simple yet very cute designs. Some are form fitting and some are not, just remember that you do not want any hanging pieces they could put into their mouths or any closures that could hurt your baby. Most are made well, but check them out anyway.

Your baby is not going to have a preference, but if they are very young, remember how well they can see. They may see a lot in contrast, black, white, and red, but not much else. That means you may want to find Halloween costumes for infants that incorporate these colors. They may have more fun looking at that costume and feeling it with their hands and skin than wearing it, so get something with an interesting texture as well. Halloween is often a cooler time of year, so make sure your child will be warm if you do intend to take them out with you for trick or treating when taking older children.

There are some crafty people that can make their own Halloween costumes for infants. If you are one of these people, keep a few things in mind. You want something that fits, but tight is not a good idea. Your baby will be uncomfortable at best. Use materials like cotton that breathe, but that can also keep them warm. You want to have reflective materials somewhere on the costume, or on your stroller if you will be pushing them in one. Also, make sure everything is securely attached so baby does not pull pieces off to put into his or her mouth.

You can find a wide range of Halloween costumes for infants online if you do not want to make one on your own. Most companies will have what you need, but order early so that you know your choice will be available and that it will get to you in time for the holiday. If it comes late, it will be too small to use the next year. Pay attention to materials and small parts, and order a bit big if you are not sure the costume is going to fit.

The toddler stage is perhaps one of the cutest of childhood. All toddlers have built in cuteness, along with a bit of mayhem now and then! However, on the whole, your toddler is your little angel. The toddler angel costume is one of the best choices for a little girl, embodying every parent and Grandparent’s idea of a real angel, worthy of an extra dose of goodies. Angel costumes are easy to put together, too. Let’s take a look at some of the tips and tricks of creating the successful angel costume.

When we think of angels, we usually imagine them to in white, shades of pink and touches of heavenly gold. This color scheme defies the notion that your cute little angel is anything but 100% angel, a real photo op for your family album collection.

If you sew, it’s easy enough to find an angel costume pattern. If not, or if you’re short on time, a purchased white dress, or a fuzzy pink top and white skirt will do just fine. A gold ribbon makes a fine belt. Add some white or gold lace to the hem of the dress or skirt. Check out the notions department of the fabric store for iron-on gold stars for more sparkle, or tiny satin roses to sew to the top. One thing you want to keep in mind when shopping for accessories for a toddler angel costume is that toddlers are still putting things in their mouths that look good enough to eat. So, avoid items like glitter and beads, for safety’s sake.

Pink or white tights add to the angelic look and keep that toddler warm, too. A fuzzy ‘halo’ from the drugstore costume section is another essential for the toddler angel costume. A pair of white shoes always works. Gold shoes are also really cute if you can find them.

Now, what’s missing from your complete toddler angel costume? Angel wings, of course. You can find fuzzy wings at the drugstore, near the halos. Kids this age love soft, fuzzy things. Other angel wing designs which are popular are those made of white netting rimmed with wired ribbon to hold the angel’s wing shape. Look online as well. You’ll find a much larger selection of styles and materials in wings than you might find locally.

So there you’ve got the basics of creating the cutest toddler angel costume ever. Don’t be surprised if your toddler wants to wear this costume again and again. Hey, this may be the only Halloween costume that can be Christmas wear at family gatherings!