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Halloween is hands-down the best kid holiday. Fight me on that. The costumes, the candy, the spooky crafts — there’s something about October that turns every kid into a tiny chaos goblin and I love it.
Table of Contents
This guide covers the coolest costumes, the creepiest toys, and the craft kits that’ll keep them busy during those long October weekends. Trick-or-treat prep, Halloween birthday gifts, spooky classroom party supplies — it’s all here.
Best Halloween Costumes for Kids (2026)
1. Disguise Official Licensed Costumes — $19.99-$39.99
Ages 2-12
Disguise makes officially licensed costumes for every franchise your kid is obsessed with — Marvel, Disney, Minecraft, you name it. The quality is solid for the price, and they hold up through a full night of trick-or-treating plus the school parade. Sizing runs slightly large, so check the chart.
2. Inflatable T-Rex Costume — $29.99
Ages 4+
This one never gets old. The inflatable dinosaur costume is hilarious on kids and adults alike. Runs on a battery-powered fan and stays inflated for hours. Your kid will be the most photographed trick-or-treater on the block.
3. Melissa & Doug Role Play Costume Set — $24.99
Ages 3-6
Not strictly Halloween costumes, but these dress-up sets (firefighter, doctor, chef) work perfectly for trick-or-treating AND for year-round pretend play. Two birds, one costume. Check our best toys for 3 year olds for more dress-up ideas.
4. DIY Costume Kit — $15.99
Ages 5+
For the kid who wants something totally unique: kits with face paint, fabric, and accessories to build a custom costume. Great for creative kids who don’t want to be one of five Elsas at school.
Spooky Toys & Games
5. National Geographic Glow-in-the-Dark Slime Lab — $14.99
Ages 6+
Mix up batches of glowing, oozing slime. It’s science, it’s gross, it’s Halloween-perfect. The STEM angle makes it an easy sell for parents, and kids think they’re making something evil. Win-win. For more science fun, see our best STEM toys guide.
6. Hasbro Bop It! Refresh — $16.99
Ages 8+
Not specifically Halloween-themed, but hear me out — this is a perfect Halloween party game. Fast-paced, loud, and gets everyone laughing. Add it to the party game rotation alongside our best board games for kids.
7. Spy Gear Night Vision Goggles — $24.99
Ages 6+
Because trick-or-treating in the dark just got way cooler. These actually work (to a point) and make your kid feel like a special ops agent on a candy-collection mission. Also great for backyard campouts year-round.
8. Thames & Kosmos Gross Science Kit — $19.99
Ages 8+
Make fake blood, grow disgusting crystals, and create oozing reactions. It’s the perfect Halloween gift for the kid who loves all things gross. Everything you need is included. Just protect your kitchen table.
9. Zombie Outbreak Board Game — $22.99
Ages 8+
A cooperative survival game where players work together to escape a zombie apocalypse. Strategic enough for older kids, thematic enough for Halloween. Great for family game night through all of October.
Halloween Craft Kits
10. Halloween Pumpkin Decorating Kit — $12.99
Ages 3+
Stickers, paint, and accessories to decorate pumpkins without any carving. Safe for little hands and way less messy than scooping pumpkin guts. (Though scooping pumpkin guts is half the fun for older kids.)
11. Perler Beads Halloween Kit — $11.99
Ages 6+
Make ghosts, pumpkins, bats, and spiders out of fusible beads. These keep kids focused and quiet for an impressive amount of time. The finished pieces make great window decorations or trick-or-treat bag tags.
12. Halloween Suncatcher Kit — $9.99
Ages 4+
Paint-by-number suncatchers in spooky shapes. Hang them in the window for instant Halloween decor that your kid actually made. Simple, satisfying, and no glitter involved (hallelujah). More creative toy picks here.
13. Make Your Own Haunted House Kit — $18.99
Ages 6+
A cardboard haunted house that kids assemble and paint themselves. It comes with LED tea lights so it actually glows. This is an all-afternoon project that results in something they’re genuinely proud of.
Trick-or-Treat Gear
14. Light-Up Trick-or-Treat Bucket — $8.99
Ages 2+
A pumpkin bucket with built-in LED lights. Safety meets fun. You can actually see your kid from a distance, and they think they’re carrying something magical. The handle is sturdy enough for a full night of candy collecting.
15. Glow Stick Mega Pack (100 count) — $9.99
Ages 3+
Necklaces, bracelets, glasses — all glow-in-the-dark. Essential for trick-or-treating visibility and kids just love wearing them. Pass them out to the whole group and everyone stays visible. Cheap and effective.
16. Reflective Trick-or-Treat Bag — $11.99
Ages 3+
Comes in Halloween designs with reflective strips built in. Holds way more candy than those flimsy plastic pumpkins. And the reflective strips actually make a difference on dark streets.
Halloween Gifts for Babies & Toddlers
17. “Room on the Broom” Board Book — $7.99
Ages 1-4
Julia Donaldson’s classic Halloween story. Not too scary, beautifully illustrated, and toddlers love the rhyming text. A Halloween staple in our house. For more age-appropriate picks, see our 2-year-old favorites.
18. Plush Black Cat Stuffed Animal — $13.99
Ages 0+
A cuddly black cat that works for Halloween and beyond. Not scary at all — just a sweet, squishy kitty. Jellycat makes a gorgeous one if you want to splurge. Check our Jellycat review for details, or browse more in our best plush toys guide.
19. Halloween Sensory Bin Kit — $16.99
Ages 1-3
Dried pasta, scoops, spider rings, and plastic eyeballs (large enough to be safe). Toddlers dig through and discover spooky treasures. It’s basically contained mess — which is the best kind of toddler activity. More ideas in our best toddler toys roundup.
20. Little Blue Truck’s Halloween Book — $8.99
Ages 1-4
If your toddler loves Little Blue Truck (and they do), this Halloween version is a must. Lift-the-flap fun with all the familiar farm characters in costume. Sweet, not scary.
Tips for Halloween Shopping
Buy costumes early. Seriously. The good sizes sell out by mid-October. September is the sweet spot for selection. If you wait until the last week, you’re getting whatever’s left.
Think beyond October 31st. The best Halloween gifts are things that get used after the holiday too. Science kits, dress-up clothes, and board games have staying power. Don’t blow your budget on stuff that’s irrelevant by November 1st.
Safety first for trick-or-treating. Reflective gear, glow sticks, and light-up accessories aren’t just fun — they’re functional. Drivers need to see your kids. Make visibility part of the costume plan.
For more seasonal gift ideas, check out our stocking stuffers guide, Christmas gift guide, and birthday gift ideas.
Halloween Toys & Gifts FAQ
Early to mid-September is ideal. Popular sizes and characters sell out fast. By late October, you’re picking from leftovers. If you’re buying online, factor in shipping time too.
Glow sticks, temporary tattoos, spider rings, mini slime containers, stickers, and small Play-Doh tubs are all popular options. They’re great for teal pumpkin houses (allergy-friendly) and most cost under $0.50 each in bulk.
Generally yes, but keep a few things in mind. They limit peripheral vision and mobility, so they’re better for older kids (6+) who can navigate curbs and stairs. The battery-powered fans can be noisy. And they’re warm inside, which can be a plus or minus depending on your climate.
Stick with friendly, not-scary Halloween themes — smiling pumpkins, cute black cats, silly ghosts. Board books like “Room on the Broom” or “Little Blue Truck’s Halloween” are perfect. Avoid anything with loud sounds, realistic spiders, or jump-scare elements.
Use reflective tape on costumes and treat bags. Add glow sticks or LED accessories. Go during early hours when it’s still light out if possible. Stick to well-lit neighborhoods, bring a flashlight, and always check candy before they eat it. For kids under 3, consider a daytime Halloween event instead of nighttime trick-or-treating.
