Halloween is still several days away, but planning costumes early is always best to make sure kids can get the outfits they want in time. It’s the perfect time for kids not only to receive free candy and celebrate with different holiday activities at school and in the community, but it’s also a time they can dress up as their favorite characters and exercise their creativity.
Each year, the popularity of certain Halloween costumes changes with the influence of pop culture. With several iconic movies out this year, such as The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Barbie, there are many popular characters to be on the lookout for.
If your child is struggling to think of a fitting costume or you’re looking for some ideas to get you started, take a look at our list of popular Halloween costumes for kids in 2023.
Mario and Luigi won over our hearts in The Super Mario Bros. Movie as two brothers struggling to make a successful business as plumbers. It’s the perfect costume for a pair of siblings or friends, but it can also stand alone. Their classic blue overalls aren’t complete without Mario’s red shirt and hat and Luigi’s green ones. And don’t forget the stick-on mustaches!
The Super Mario Movie wasn’t just about the boys. Princess Peach became more than a damsel in distress in this movie, and kids can emulate that in a pink puffy dress iconic of both Princess Peach in the movie and the popular videogame.
The widespread release of the Barbie movie has revived Barbie costumes and toys for kids and adults this upcoming Halloween. Popularized by Margot Robbie, she wears several iconic outfits in the movie. A crowd favorite for kids is Barbie’s hot pink cowgirl costume. However, girls who want a softer and dressier look can go with Barbie’s checkered pink dress costume complete with a bow and jewelry.
The inflatable alien costume became popularized by TikTok to pull pranks on friends and family members. For kids who love silly costumes, this is one they will definitely enjoy. The suit requires four AA batteries and has important instructions for your child to wear the costume safely and properly.
After the live-action movie came to theaters this past May, the Little Mermaid surged in popularity among kids and adults all over the world. There will definitely be a resurgence in Little Mermaid costumes for kids of all ages this year. They can go for a costume that includes red hair or one that stays true to the inspired style of the live-action Ariel.
Spiderman has been a highly popularized character lately, especially after Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse came out this year. There are different styles your child can choose from, but the classic red, black, and blue Spiderman costume is a sure favorite among boys of all ages.
Girls who love the Spider-Verse can also feel included by wearing the Spider-Gwen costume. In Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Gwen Stacy gets a bigger role as the movie delves into her background, and “Spider-Woman” will certainly become a popular character to dress up as this Halloween. It can be another great sibling costume for a pair if your kids both love the Spider-Verse movies.
Even though Encanto came out two years ago, kids are still humming, “We don’t talk about Bruno.” Dressing up as Mirabel is perfect for girls who still love the magic and culture from the movie. You can even curl your child’s hair to complete the look with this iconic dress.
For kids of all ages, Minecraft is still a big influence and a common activity to talk about. There are many different types of characters kids can dress up as, but we chose the classic Creeper costume because it’s the one that stands out the most. If budget is an issue, you can make it a DIY project with cardboard and paint, printouts, or felt to create the boxy character’s shape.
Final Thoughts
Halloween is a fun time for all kids, and finding the perfect costume can be an exciting search. While trends may come and go, the joy of dressing up and embracing the spirit of Halloween remains constant. Whether your child chooses to be Mario, a Minecraft Creeper, or Barbie, the most important thing is to encourage their creativity and let them have a memorable and magical Halloween experience. The perfect Halloween costume is not just about what your child wears but the memories they create while wearing it.
Emily currently lives in Orange County, California after spending four years in Illinois and half a year teaching in Florence, Italy. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Knox College and an M.A. in Counseling from the University of San Diego and has taught English to native speakers and ESL students for over three years. When she’s not working as a School Counselor or writing, she enjoys traveling the world, playing instruments, and blogging about Millennial experiences at Long Live the Twenties.