Family Halloween costumes for a spooky night

Family Halloween costumes

by Lorna White |
Updated on

There's nothing like matching family Halloween costumes with your nearest and dearest. Going as a family this year is a fantastic idea and you can get as creative as you like with your family Halloween costume ideas. Plus it'll make a brilliant photo opportunity to look back on in years to come.

With so many different sizes and tastes in every family, it can be hard to find the perfect Halloween costume for everyone. But whether you want to go for something classic like The Addams Family or something a little more modern like The Incredibles, there is plenty of choice, including costumes for pregnant people too.

Editor's Choice:
Best Wednesday costume: Smiffys Gothic School Girl Costume - Buy now from Amazon
Best for babies: Disney Baby Sleepsuit and Hat Set The Incredibles - Buy now from Amazon
Best Harry Potter costume: Harry Potter Fancy Dress - Buy now from Amazon
Best women's fancy dress: Smiffys 52568L Officially Licensed Ghostbusters Ladies Costume - Buy now from Amazon

To help you find the perfect outfit for you and your family, we've rounded up some of our favourite ideas from Pinterest plus where you can buy them ahead of Halloween, so you go and collect the trick or treating sweets!

The best family Halloween costume ideas

The Addams Family

Addams-Family-costume
©Costume Works on Pinterest

Who better to inspire this year's Halloween costume than the original spooky family, especially since the release of Wednesday, the hit Netflix show. There are plenty of quirky family members in The Addams Family to dress up your clan as, from the very glamorous Morticia to the totally creepy Wednesday.

Best Wednesday costume

Description

Little ones can dress as Wednesday Addams. This costume includes a black dress with white collar and a wig styled with Wednesday's signature braided style.

One parent said: "Really good child’s fancy dress. You get pigtails AND the dress. All good quality! More so it is a great shape and fit. Little Velcro on collar to fasten dress at back so easy for child. I'm very happy as it looks amazing! Not sure why someone said it is cheap. It’s thin-ish material but not cheap at all it’s comfy almost silky and is soft and black opaque. Other outfits of this looked dreadful this is the best!"

Pros

  • Dress and wig set
  • Tested to Nightwear safety standards

Cons

  • Tights not included

Best Gomez costume

Fun Shack Gangster Costume, Family Halloween costumes
Price: $32.95

Description

Another alternative Addams family-inspired costume is this pinstripe suit so they'll look the part as a mini-Gomez. How cute!

One reviewer said: "Very cool little fancy dress, my little boy won the ‘gangster’ fancy dress costume in this!"

Pros

  • Get a suit and hat included
  • Simple hook and loop fastening

Cons

  • Some reviews mention it is thin

Best Uncle Fester costume

Description

With a bald cap, face paint and robe as part of the set, adults will have everything they need to transform themselves into Uncle Fester.

A reviewer said: "Exactly as stated material great. Bought for dad for Halloween costume and he loves it. He is XXL and fits perfect does come with a rope for robe so can be for smaller people."

Pros

  • Fit can be adjusted with rope belt
  • Face paint included

Cons

  • Some people may not feel comfortable wearing a bald cap

Best Morticia costume

YAOHUOLE Halloween Costume
Price: $34.99

Description

Perhaps this stylish gothic dress would be more up your street? It's a long flowy number with V-neck, off the shoulder design, which makes it perfect for a Morticia Addams costume.

One lady said: "Honestly I was surprised by the quality of this costume! It fits great and was perfect for my Morticia costume. I'm 5'3" and it was a tad long but no biggie."

Pros

  • Machine washable
  • Longer dress will be perfect for keeping you warm

Cons

  • Some parents may not like the tight fit

Scooby Doo

Scooby-doo-family-costume
©Stefanie Authement on Pinterest

Looking for something a little less spooky but still totally adorable? We love a good Scooby Doo costume at Halloween, especially if you have a cute dog you can dress up as Scooby Doo!

Best Scooby Doo costume

Description

Kiddies will look totally adorable in this Scooby Doo costume. The fleece material will also keep them warm while they're out trick or treating.

One parent said: "A comfortable and well made costume. I sewed in certain tail-like places where it attaches with Velcro to avoid losing pieces. Much appreciated by my son for carnival and great to use again for Halloween."
Another person said: "Scooby Doo costume. Great quality, true to size. Excellent service throughout."

Pros

  • Soft fleece
  • Velcro at the back to make it easy to put on and off

Cons

  • Some children may not be keen on wearing the hood for the dog head

Best Velma costume

Description

Your little one will be ready to solve whatever mysteries are thrown at them wearing this Velma-inspired get up.

Pros

  • Stretchy fabric
  • Could also be worn not as a costume

Cons

  • No wig included

Best Daphne costume

Description

Purple dress? Tick. Orange wig? Tick. Green neck scarf? Tick. Channel your inner Daphne with an outfit just like hers.

A happy reviewer said: "Fab outfit, wig is really thick and much better than I expected."
Another reviewer said: "A great costume is thin but I wore it over leggings. It looked fab with my boyfriend in the Scooby Doo costume."

Pros

  • Nice fit
  • Has a dress plus accessories included

Cons

  • The wig may make your head hot after wearing it for a long time

Best Shaggy costume

Shaggy costume

Rrp: $35.00

Price: $31.53

Description

You'll be ready to join the rest of the gang in the Mystery Machine with this Shaggy costume. It even comes with a stick on goatee so you can replicate Shaggy's facial hair

One reviewer said: "A pretty good outfit, goes well with a Daphne, in many ways. T-shirt is fine, the trousers are a sort of velour material. if you don't want to worry about baring your rear during the party, I'd suggest a belt, as they do fall down if you are average build. They generate static too which seems to encourage them to stick to your legs and slide. I wore shorts underneath, wouldn't wear with nothing under them! Wig is huge! but amusing, and the goatee is pretty sticky, just watch you don't dip it in your beer. Overall, pretty decent outfit."

Pros

  • wig and stick on goatee included
  • Matching Velma option too

Cons

  • Only available in one size

Skeleton Family

Skeleton-family-costume
©POPSUGAR on Pinterest

Having a cosy night in this year? We love these matching skeleton costumes. Not only are they super comfy for the whole family, but they'll also look fun and spooky if you get any trick or treaters come to your door. You could even take it up a notch with some glow-in-the-dark costumes too!

Best skeleton Babygro

Description

Even tiny bubbas can get in on the fun of Halloween with this all-in-one. It's made from natural cotton to keep the littlest spooks cosy and comfy.

Pros

  • Popper fastenings for quick and easy changing
  • 100 percent cotton

Cons

  • Could have a design on the back too

Best kids skeleton pyjamas

Description

No need to be afraid of the dark anymore with these glow in the dark PJs. Available from nine months to five years, the littlest members of your family will all be able to match.

Pros

  • Super soft cotton
  • Bright glow

Cons

  • Design could be replicated on the back too for a more detailed look

Best adult skeleton onesie

Description

Who said Halloween costumes can't be comfortable? You'll want to wear this even after spooky season as the fleece material will keep you nice and warm.

A reviewer wrote: "After reading the reviews, I purchased a medium because I wanted a looser/baggy fit. I am 5'1, 125lbs. The fit was perfect! I fully believe a small would have fit as well just with a tighter fit. Very happy with this purchase! The material was much thicker and warmer than I anticipated, which was a pleasant surprise!"

Pros

  • Affordable option
  • Has a hood

Cons

  • Some customers have had issues with the zipper

The Incredibles

Incredibles-family-costume
©Hitched on Pinterest

We love a Disney-themed Halloween costume and with an adorable family of five, The Incredibles are an iconic superhero family, perfect for dressing up as this Halloween season. You can simply go for the basic t-shirts, or you can go for the full-on super suit.

Best Mrs.Incredible costume

Disguise Women's Mrs. Incredible Classic Adult Costume

Rrp: $35.19

Price: $27.09

Description

Want to go as Mrs. Incredible aka Elastigirl for Halloween? You need this supersuit.

One reviewer said: "I'm 5'5" and about 135 lbs with curvy hips/bottom. I normally well size 6/8, but based on reviews, I went with the size 8/10, which fits well. I have no issues getting it on over my hips, but it also tapers in nicely at my waist. The material has a good amount of stretch. I don't mind the velcro closures as they are a bit more forgiving and allow the light fabric to not get weighed down. I like the faux boots that come up mid-thigh - they look nice. I'm excited to wear this for Halloween!"

Pros

  • Officially licensed
  • Includes belt and mask

Cons

  • May feel too tight for some

Best Mr Incredible costume

Description

You'll be ready to spring into action whenever you need to wearing this Mr Incredible costume.

A customer wrote: "Bought this for a fancy dress run. Despite other reviews claiming it to be baggy and overly large i found it to be perfect. It wasn’t skin tight but good enough for the price. I bought the medium. I am 6 ft and 83kg. Was well made and got lots of looks. So I’d recommend."

Pros

  • Mask included
  • Made with quality material

Cons

  • Some users thought sizing was unclear

Best kids Incredibles costume

Description

Your little one can go as either Violet or Dash for Halloween by wearing this kids Incredibles costume.

One happy aunty said: "Nephew is mad on Incredibles and he was extremely excited to receive this. Great quality, he never takes it off!"
Another reviewer said: "Costume is a great fit, bought medium, my son wears size 5-6 years. Made of standard dress up material but feels like it will withstand a lot of play. The mask was a bit of a disappointment though."

Pros

  • BS EN-71 Safety tested
  • Fits well

Cons

  • Some reviews mention the mask is tight fitting

Best Baby Incredibles set

Disney Baby Boys Sleepsuit and Hat Set The Incredibles
Price: $28.80

Description

If you've got a baby to take part in the fancy dress, you can complete your incredible family with this Jack-Jack inspired fit. There's no eyepiece (as it could be dangerous for babies), but there is an illustration of it on the little red hat.

One parent wrote: "The product is soft and the leather effect on the superhero pants area is very clever. The hat comes up a little small, but this fit my 3 month old perfectly (who is on the 2nd centile as per UK-WHO growth charts). I suggest for slightly bigger 3 month olds to invest in the next size up, but we thought our baby Jack Jack looked very cute ."

Pros

  • Practical baby outfit as well as a costume
  • Wide range of size options

Cons

  • Some parents mention the hat being a little small

Harry Potter

Harry Potter costumes
©Merrick's Art on Pinterest

Okay so we know a Harry Potter theme might seem a tad basic compared to some of the others, but there's no denying how cute a baby dressed as a wizard can be. It's also a winner for World Book Day if you want to recycle some costumes.

Best Harry Potter costume

Boys Harry Potter costume
Price: $40.00

Description

Get your little wizard ready for a magical Halloween. This outfit comes complete with a scarf, glasses and wand as well as a cloak so they can look just like Harry Potter.

One parent said: "The kit is done quite well but above all it is complete. Consisting of a hooded cape (printed Gryffindor coat of arms), a plastic rod but made quite well, round glasses without lenses and a very light Gryffindor scarf. Overall ok, my son really liked it."
Another reviewer said: "Our son loved wearing this for world book day. It was great quality and the props were good too."

Pros

  • Accessories included
  • Cloak is a good length

Cons

  • Will need something to wear under the cloak if you're going out trick or treating

Best Hogwarts costume

Description

If the Sorting Hat has put your little one into Gryffindor, they need the right robes. This one has the house crest on the chest and the iconic red and gold scarf.

A parent said: "This was perfect for world book day and the only costume I have bought for WBD that my daughter continues to wear. It is light weight and easy to wear. All in all very pleased."
Another parent said: "My daughter loves her robe and it's been worn and worn and still in good condition."

Pros

  • Perfect gift for Gryffindor fans
  • Nice variety of sizes

Cons

  • The scarf could have been a physical one, rather than printed on

Best Professor McGonagall costume

Description

All these mini witches and wizards need someone to watch over them, that's where Professor McGonagall comes in. Both the dress, cape and hat are black and green in colour, just like McGonagall's in the films.

A reviewer said: "Love this costume. It is really good quality for the price. The dress was a bit too long for me (I'm 5' 2") so I just chopped it off at the bottom. It didn't fray and looked great. I had lots of compliments in it and felt really good."

Pros

  • Hat is wire rimmed to help with stability
  • Shiny and sparkly

Cons

  • Might be too long for shorter parents

Zombie family

Zombie-family
©The Dating Divas on Pinterest

Simple yet super effective, let your little ones go mad with the face paint and fake blood this year with a fun zombie theme. You could even take your favourite non-scary-themed costume and zombify it to make it perfect for Halloween with a bit of make-up!

Best Halloween make-up kit

CHASPA Halloween Liquid Latex Special Effects SFX Makeup Kit
Price: $15.99

Description

Whether you all decide to go as zombies for Halloween or something more gruesome, you'll have all the bits you need to bring your costume alive in this kit.

A happy reviewer said: "Got this for Halloween makeup and everything in the box came together very well and was easy to create great effects. First time I tried this kind of thing and it was a brilliant result. Definitely recommend it."

Pros

  • Non-toxic
  • Skin-friendly ingredients

Cons

  • Not suitable for those with a latex allergy

Minions

Minions costume
©Woman's Day on Pinterest

There's nothing cuter than a little baby Minion! It's a simple idea for the whole family and there's no doubt you'll be happy to wear those classic blue denim dungarees again.

Best Yellow t-shirt for Minion costume

Unisex Kids T-shirt
Price: $28.49

Description

A simple tee. It can be used as part of a Minion costume or as another layer in colder weather.

One parent reviewer said: "I bought 4 of these to wear as an extra layer on a trip to Greenland. They were fine for that purpose, but I would not wear them on their own. The stitching is not very neat or well executed. The inner seams of the pink one are sewn with red thread for example."

Pros

  • Soft fabric
  • Affordable price

Cons

  • Some say it's quite thin

Best Minion accessories kit

Description

After you've got the underneath layer of the costume sorted, it's time for some accessories. Your little one can achieve the big minion eyes by wearing the goggle and the cap can add to the yellow head.

One reviewer said: "Used for a Halloween costume and fit perfect and comfortable as the strap is widely adjustable."
Another said: "The order arrived ahead of schedule, and it is as shown in the photos. The elastic of the glasses is adjustable to the size of the head, which I am very happy with. The children are thrilled!"

Pros

  • Goggle fit can be adjusted
  • Great for parties

Cons

  • Some kids may find it irritating to wear something around their eyes

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park Family Costume
©Michael N' Ashley Ruth on Pinterest

Are your little ones obsessed with dinosaurs? This one is a great idea for a party and a fun game. Just get one of the grown-ups to dress up in a fun dinosaur costume and pretend to chase all the little ones while doing your best roar!

Best baby dinosaur costume

Description

This dinosaur jumpsuit would make a totally roar-some Halloween costume. Equipped with a hood, tail and handpieces, it will look as if you have a real dinosaur running around your home.

A grandma said: "Oh wow, my grandson couldn’t wait to put it on immediately as it looks great. Looks amazing. He loves it, so it's a great buy and I would definitely recommend."
Another reviewer said: "I bought this for Halloween and it has already been worn twice. My toddler absolutely loves it. We got a 2-3 and it's a good fit on my small 2.5 year old. Maybe size up for a taller child. The head Velcros on but stays pretty well. I think buttons would be better though so I'm going to add them myself."

Pros

  • Elasticated at the wrist
  • Fits children six to 12 months

Cons

  • Probably not the most practical for changing nappies

Best adult T-Rex costume

Description

This inflatable T-rex costume has become popular all over social media channels recently and is sure to get a laugh out of the kids and adults when you wear it. Just use a fan and a battery to inflate it and you'll be on your way.

One reviewer said: "The inflatable T-Rex costume is made from high-quality materials that are durable and long-lasting. The costume is easy to inflate and deflate, making it easy to transport and store when not in use. The costume is also designed to be comfortable to wear, with ample room for movement and ventilation to prevent overheating."

Pros

  • Available in multiple colour options
  • Legs and arms are elasticated to keep air in

Cons

  • May be difficult to move around in

Star Wars

Star Wars
©Sarah M on Pinterest

There are so many cool characters from Star Wars to dress up as. We love the idea of having a Darth Vader, Princess Leia, an adorable baby Yoda and maybe even a Wookiee in our clan this Halloween.

Best baby Yoda costume

Rubie's Official Disney Star Wars Baby Yoda Costume
Price: $31.66

Description

Is it possible to find anything cuter than Baby Yoda? Yes, there is and it's your baby dressed up as Baby Yoda. Affordable and adorable, the pack comes with a hooded robe and a detachable Velcro headpiece.

One father said: "The costume is very simple to wear and comfortable for a child. I used it for my son who is 1 and a half years old. Yoda's head is tied in front with a Velcro, so it doesn't fall and if the child pulls it, it opens without any problem and without hurting it. I am very satisfied."

Pros

  • Super soft and fleecy
  • Includes headpiece and hooded robe with belt

Cons

  • Some little ones may not want to wear the headpiece

Best Princess Leia costume

Rubie's 810357 Official Star Wars Princess Leia Costume

Rrp: $105.00

Price: $91.30

Description

Relive magical Star Wars moments dressed in Princess Leia’s signature dress, complete with space belt and wig. It's quite long and there are four sizes to choose from, plus the belt can be adjusted to your preference.

One happy reviewer said: "This costume fit awesome! It fit perfectly to size, it’s incredibly comfortable, and the quality is fantastic. I’m 4’10, so it was a bit long. However! I did the look that Carrie Fisher did in the movies, and ruffled the top up a bit to lift the dress off of my feet. Wearing slightly raised shoes also helped. A great product all around!"

Pros

  • Soft fabric
  • Belt closes with Velcro so you can have a loose or tighter fit 

Cons

  • May be a bit long on those who are more petite

Best kids Stormtrooper costume

Description

Nothing will stand in the way of your little one and their Halloween sweets when wearing this Stormtrooper costume. You may be wondering how comfortable the costume is, but we're here to tell you that it has foam inside the mask to make it more comfortable for little ones to wear.

One parent said: "Bought for my son who is 6, he is pretty tall so ordered the larger size. Great fit! I was impressed that the mask wasn't flimsy, scratchy plastic. The outfit washes well too."

Pros

  • 3D moulded mask
  • Officially licensed

Cons

  • Some reviews mention the jumpsuit is made from a thin type of material

Best kids Darth Vader costume

Description

Kids drawn to the dark side will love dressing up as Darth Vader for Halloween. There's never been a costume cooler than this one. Pair it with a light saber and they will most definitely look the part.

A grandparent wrote: "My grandson loves dressing up and he really enjoyed getting into character in this costume.
It has a full cape and half mask secured with an elastic. The lights and buttons are printed on the fabric. I would recommend this product as it is cheap and reasonably good quality."

Pros

  • Has a mask and cape
  • Jumpsuit so no heavy layers

Cons

  •  Doesn't come with a light saber or gloves

Best adult Jedi costume

Description

No Star Wars dress up would be complete without having a Jedi in the mix, so if you or your partner adores this franchise, you will want to wear this costume for Hallows Eve. We love that it comes in sizes small to three times extra large, making it highly inclusive.

A reviewer wrote: "Bought this (for a woman) and it fits brilliantly. There are pockets in the trousers, though they are a little see through when you hold them up to the light. The undershirts have no ties and are held together by the belt. This makes it difficult to keep the layers for the neckline in the same place when worn but adding a tie (and maybe in future Velcro) helped. Due to this, it took two people to get it on. The material is great, but the cloak could be a heavier fabric, similar to what is used for the fabric belt, as the cloak doesn't quite move in the way it should. Over all it looked amazing, it was very complimented and the quality was very good."

Pros

  • Made from linen, cotton and polyester
  • Multiple layers to keep you warm

Cons

  • Some say the cloak could be heavier

Ghostbusters

Ghostbusters-family-costumes
©Emilie Morrison on Pinterest

Who you gonna call? We can't get enough of this lovely retro costume, and it'll look great on the whole family. You might even want to dress up your littlest members as cute ghosts under a sheet!

Best kids Ghostbuster costume

Description

Your child will be ready to join the ghost-busting gang in this costume. It's even got an inflatable version of the Proton Pack to capture all the ghouls.

Review: "We originally bought this for my sons Halloween costume (yes I did have to be the ghost!) He had his use out of it and we thought that was it... he has now decided he is wearing it to the cinema when the new film is released! Such a great idea and I'm pleased it will be used more :-)"

Pros

  • Tested to costume safety standards
  • Zipper fastening

Cons

  • Some reviews mention the gun and backpack not being connected

Best women's fancy dress

Description

You can join your little one in the hunt for ghosts with your very own Ghostbusters uniform.

A parent said: "Excellent quality of the finishes, especially in relation to the low price. I bought it for my daughter and she was very satisfied."

Pros

  • Backpack is inflatable
  • Comes with a Proton Pack of your own

Cons

  • May not be easy to take on and off to go to the toilet

Family Halloween costumes FAQs

How do you pick safe family Halloween costumes?

Halloween is a fun event for people of all ages to enjoy. However, in recent years, there have been some concerns about the safety of costumes, particularly kids' Halloween costumes. If you're worried about the safety of your family's Halloween costumes, there are two things you should look out for.

Look for EN71/CE certified costumes - Costumes with that mark have been tested to reach certain safety standards as outlined by the EU.

Check for fire-resistant label - This time of year there are more open flames around from candles, fireworks and bonfires. If you're concerned about the fire-resistant qualities of your family's costumes, check the label for more details.

Why do we dress in costumes on Halloween?

The tradition of wearing costumes originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. This is when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. Nowadays, we wear costumes as a bit of fun and to help us get into the spooky spirit of Halloween.

What day is Halloween 2023?

As we all know, Halloween falls on 31st October every single year. It's just the day that changes. This year All Hallow's Eve is on a Tuesday.

Lorna White has been a Digital Writer for Mother&Baby since 2020. She has a keen interest in a range of topics, from potty training and nutrition to baby names and maternity fashion.

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