Your family may not be into spooky ghosts, creepy costumes, or scary stories, but they still can find ways to create meaningful, wholesome memories over Halloween. Fall is such a magical time of year! Nothing is better than feeling the fresh, crisp air with a warm drink while watching your kids enjoy the changing outdoors. It's the perfect time to make some extra special family memories without embracing the evil or scary that sometimes accompanies this holiday.
If you are gearing up for all the exciting Fall festivals and school dress-up days, there are many adorable ways to let your kids participate without being offensive. Even our little Christian homeschool co-op allows our kids to do character dress-up day in the Fall, and it's one of the cutest days of the school year. It's totally possible to have fun in costume over the Halloween season without endorsing the darker parts of this holiday.
Here are some family-friendly Halloween costumes:
1. The Wizard of Oz
This cast leaves room for everyone in the family to choose a role! You've got everyone from Dorothy, the Lion, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the dog. Let everyone in the family choose who they want to be, and you guys will make an impression at all the Fall events you get to attend together.
2. The Chronicles of Narnia
Let this classic piece of literature be your family's inspiration for this fall season. Aslan is a noble leader that would allow a family member to dress as a striking lion. The Beavers are a cute dress-up option from this well-known story. The main characters, Lucy, Edward, Peter, and Susan, would be easy to embody with some period gowns and regal suits.
3. Bluey
One of the most heart-warming cartoons of the time is Bluey! Each episode captures the struggles and tenderness that come with family life. Mom, Dad, and the kids can each have a role in your cast of Halloween characters.
4. The Peanuts Gang
The Peanuts gang makes a super sweet family costume! This classic crew embodies friendship, and the show is full of family-friendly lessons. Your kids will love dressing as these lovable characters.
5. Toy-Story Costume Set
Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Bo Peep, the Potato Heads, and more make a fun cast for the whole family to enjoy dressing up as together. Your kids will love the chance to see their favorite toys and characters come to life.
6. 1950's Family Costumes
Let the decade of poodle skirts and leather jackets be the theme for your family fun! If you're really feeling adventurous, you could even add roller skates to the ensemble. You could even introduce your kids to a family sock hop to add to the fun.
7. Despicable Me Family Costumes
Let your kiddos be your little Minions. Dad can be their fearless leader in the Gru costume. The minions in your family can range from being baby-sized all the way up to full-grown adult ones.
8. Winnie the Pooh
There is nothing cuter than a Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Kanga! Have your littles dress up as these adorable animals from the 100-acre wood. There is nothing cuter than a toddler in a Pooh costume.
9. Astronauts
Let your imagination inspire your costume choices! As a family of astronauts, you're inspiring curiosity in your children. You can taste-test some space food with the kids to make the experience even more informative.
10. Farming Family
A low-effort costume for the family is the farming family. Get out your fall denim, overalls, and plaid. Everyone can coordinate as a rustic bunch ready for the fall harvest. Let your littlest one be the family cow, and the ensemble will be complete.
11. A Food-Themed Family
Allow everyone to choose their favorite food for this year's dress-up events. Mom can be pizza, Dad can be coffee, the kids can be their favorite treat, and you all will look fabulous. Personally, I'd like to bring an actual coffee along with my costume.
12. Mary Poppins
Mary Poppins is a magical classic that your family could embody this year. Mary's magical friends, such as the Penguins, make cute companions. The Banks children make adorable characters to dress up as too!
13. Book Characters
If your family has a favorite book, let their characters be your inspiration. We love the Wingfeather Saga, so my kids would love to dress up as Janner, Kalmar, and Leeli. If your kids are younger, books as simple as If You Give a Mouse a Cookie can be wonderful inspiration for your costumes.
14. Frozen
This classic is always a family favorite when it comes to Halloween. Your girls will love being Elsa and Anna, and the boys can be Olaf or Sven. These costumes are everywhere, so they are easy to find for your family-themed costumes.
15. Animal Costumes
Animal costumes are my favorite! There is nothing cuter than a little pack of animals. Choose to be a family of bears, fish, lions, and more. Your family will win every cuteness award this year.
This year, create an extra warm and encouraging Halloween. Your children will never forget the fun traditions you start now. Our job as believers is to do our best to honor God with our choices and with our family rituals. Choosing fun, family-themed costumes is one way to do just that.
Amanda Idleman is a writer whose passion is to encourage others to live joyfully. She writes devotions for My Daily Bible Verse Devotional and Podcast, Crosswalk Couples Devotional, the Daily Devotional App, she has work published with Her View from Home, on the MOPS Blog, and is a regular contributor for Crosswalk.com. She has most recently published a devotional, Comfort: A 30 Day Devotional Exploring God's Heart of Love for Mommas. You can find out more about Amanda on her Facebook Page or follow her on Instagram.