If you're like us, when people say "holiday season," you really hear the words "Halloween season," and you start cooking up costume ideas for your favorite holiday before the leaves change color. Planning a family Halloween costume sometimes takes even more time and effort because you have even more people to get on board with whatever theme you choose.
There are lots of ways to put together a coordinated family costume. You can go for the DIY approach, pick a movie or TV show with your favorite characters, or opt for a classic look (like vampires or pirates) that each of you can make your own.
Whether you're a family of five with too-cool-for-school teenagers that you want to get in on the Halloween shenanigans or a new family with a baby or toddler who isn't old enough to choose their own costume yet, we've got loads of family Halloween costume ideas that'll make your October 31st unforgettable!
Family of 5 Halloween Costumes
When choosing Halloween costumes for your family of five, it's vital to pick a theme with characters that will let each child feel special or one that'll work well with your family dynamic. Some of the best family Halloween costumes are based on movies and TV shows with big casts of characters so that everyone in the family can pick who they want to be. Here are a few of our favorites:
Justice League Family Costumes
© Izamar Martinez via Pinterest
Halloween is full of monsters and bad guys around every corner, and what better way to protect your neighborhood than by dressing up the entire family as members of DC Comics’ Justice League? Suit up and trick-or-treat in style as Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, Supergirl, Aquaman, The Flash, and Green Lantern. Even your pets can get in on the action with our lineup of DC Comics pet costumes. Bring out the hero in your family this Halloween; you can't save the world alone!
The Wizard of Oz Halloween Costumes
The Wizard of Oz has been a classic film for generations, so it's no surprise that it continues to be a go-to choice for Halloween costumes every year. It's also the perfect option for a family costume because there are so many characters to choose from. From Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West to Dorothy and her companions, Tin Man, Scarecrow, and the lovable Cowardly Lion, you and your family can trick-or-treat along the Yellow Brick Road in Technicolor style. Keep an eye out for the Lollipop Guild; we hear they hand out the best candy.
The Avengers Family Costumes
Okay, yes, we know that's a family of six in that photo, but how awesome does this family of Avengers look? Assemble your team of superheroes with Avengers costumes featuring Iron Man, Natasha Romanoff's Black Widow, Clint Barton's Hawkeye, Steve Rogers' Captain America, and the God of Thunder himself, Thor. Marvel costumes are perfect for large families with even larger personalities because everyone can suit up as their favorite character.
Ghost Family Halloween Costumes
Ghost costumes are the perfect last-minute costume idea for families on a budget or in a time crunch. Grab some white bed sheets from the thrift store, cut out some eye holes, and you're good to go! If you want to upgrade this simple costume, you can add accessories or fake blood to up the spook factor. If bed sheets aren't your jam, you can go for something a little more stylish, with an all-white outfit and some white face paint to complete the look. Bonus points to the family who matches their ghost costumes with their Halloween decorations.
Skeleton Family Halloween Costumes
Skeletons are another great Halloween costume for families of all sizes. Whether your family's monster movie of choice is the 1990s classic The Mummy or the 2017 Pixar favorite Coco, skeleton costumes have a little something for family members of all ages. Pair it with crowns to go for an undead royal family look, or add your own unique touch with makeup and face paint.
Monster Family Halloween Costumes
If your family's Halloween party plans include a monster mash and/or graveyard smash, you can't go wrong with a monster-themed group costume. Go for classic monsters, like vampires, werewolves, and mummies, or something more modern, like Godzilla or the Demogorgon from Stranger Things. Babies, toddlers, and even your four-legged kids can get in on the monstrous fun with cute and fuzzy monster costumes perfect for the little ones and fur babies alike.
Family of 4 Halloween Costumes
This section is for our nuclear families out there: two parents and two kids (and yes, your dog counts). If your four-person squad wants to step out in themed costumes but you aren't quite sure where to start, you're in the right place. Here are some of our favorite group costume ideas for families of four.
The Addams Family Halloween Costumes
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If your family's love for the classic The Addams Family TV show was just reignited thanks to Netflix's Wednesday series, you are not alone. The Addams Family has always made the perfect family costume, and now the residents of Cemetery Ridge are being loved by yet another generation.
Mom can dress as Morticia in her best little black dress and long black wig; Dad can go as Gomez Addams in a snazzy suit or tuxedo; and the kids can go as Wednesday and Pugsley. Don't forget to bring Thing along for the ride. If nothing else, he'll be able to grab you an extra handful of candy at every house you stop at.
The Jetsons Halloween Costumes
Combine nostalgia for the classic animated TV series with a curiosity about the future with a Jetsons-themed family costume. We have ready-to-wear adult costumes for the parents, Jane and George Jetson, and the kids can do DIY Halloween costumes with green coveralls and an orange neckerchief for Elroy, and a pink collared dress or jumpsuit for Judy. Hop in your flying car and take to the stars; everyone knows the best candy is in outer space!
Willy Wonka Family Costumes
© Kristin Koppitch via Pinterest
Grab your golden tickets and take your family on a trip down the Chocolate River with a family costume featuring Willy Wonka and his Oompa Loompas. This is also a great family costume idea for large families because Mr. Wonka can always use some extra help around the Chocolate Factory. And, if orange isn't your color, opt for an inflatable Violet Beauregard costume or a Veruca Salt get-up.
Medieval Family Halloween Costume
Halloween night is full of witches, ghosts, and dragons but your family could be the neighborhood's sworn protectors and leaders with our lineup of costumes featuring knights, warriors, kings, queens, and more. Slay the dragon, save the day, and give yourself a fairytale ending. Our huge collection of medieval costumes is perfect for mixing and matching pieces to create your own look.
The Lord of the Rings Halloween Costumes
You don't need to be a family of nine to show your love for one of the most iconic fantasy ensembles of all time. With tons of characters to choose from, everyone in your family can pick their favorite Lord of the Rings character and storm the shire looking for ancient rings... or delicious candy. (“My precious!”) Whether your weapon of choice is a sword, bow, or axe, there's something for everyone in this collection.
The Flintstones Halloween Costumes
© Dane Hawthorne via Pinterest
The Flintstones is a timeless and classic cartoon that is guaranteed to invoke a sense of nostalgia in all your friends and neighbors when you roll around the block in your Flintmobile (or stroller). The Flinstone family is also the perfect choice for large families or those of you who like to spend Halloween with aunts, uncles, and cousins. Everyone can choose their favorite characters: Fred, Wilma, Barney, Betty, Pebbles, Bamm-Bamm, and all the residents of Bedrock.
Family of 3 Halloween Costumes
It's easy to pick a group Halloween costume for a family of three since it's only two parents and your kiddo. Depending on how young your baby boy or baby girl is, costumes for children toddler-aged and younger are usually fuss-free, comfy, and oh-so-adorable. You can also opt for DIY costumes for your little ones since it's easy to add accessories to their onesies or pajamas. Here are our favorite Halloween costume ideas for trios.
Prisoner and Guard Halloween Costumes
Prisoners and police officers are such common Halloween costumes that you practically can't go out trick-or-treating or attend a Halloween party without seeing at least one of each. Parents can have fun with this theme by dressing up their little one as a hardened criminal while they act as prison guards, or you can do it the other way around: have your little one dress as the guard while you go as the prisoner. This classic costume theme is easily customizable to fit your family's unique dynamic and sense of humor.
Alice in Wonderland Family Costumes
© Mallory Lee Richardson via Instagram
Lewis Carroll's classic children's story has been a family staple for ages. With Disney's animated adaptation in 1951 and Tim Burton's live-action remake in 2010, it's no wonder Alice in Wonderland continues to be loved by children and adults alike. Alice and her friends also make for a great family costume because there are so many fun characters for you to choose from, including the Mad Hatter, the Red Queen, the white rabbit, Tweedle Dee, and Tweedle Dum - the list goes on. Just make sure to take a close look at the candy you get on Halloween night: You might end up shrinking so small that you won't have an appetite for all the sweets you collected while trick-or-treating.
Astronauts and Alien Family Costumes
This one goes out to the parents who love to tell their little ones, "I love you to the moon and back!" Parents can dress up as space-faring astronauts while the kiddo gets to go as an adorable little alien. You can also put a nerdy twist on it by going as Star Trek characters instead of NASA employees. No matter what you choose, one thing's for sure: your family will look out of this world!
Clown Family Halloween Costumes
Clowns make for a versatile Halloween costume, even for groups and families, as the combinations of outfits, accessories, and makeup are truly endless. Go for a classic clown look with an outfit featuring a mishmash of bright colors and patterns, or take the DIY approach by combining your favorite hats, wigs, shoes, and props to make it your own. For families with little kids, it's probably best to go for a fun and friendly clown look, whereas older kids and teenagers might be ready for a scary clown aesthetic. When your family chooses to go with a clown-themed group costume, Halloween is sure to be a honkin' good time!
Star Wars Family Halloween Costumes
Star Wars is yet another franchise with a huge cast of characters, making it the perfect family Halloween Costume theme. Whether you and your kids prefer the classic trilogy, with Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Chewbacca; the prequel trilogy with Anakin, Padmé, and Obi-Wan Kenobi; or the most recent installments with Rey, Kylo Ren, and the lovable droid, BB-8; there are dozens of characters for you and your family to choose from. May the Force be with you, always!
’80s Halloween Costumes
© Priscilla Beckham via Pinterest
Your kids might not have been alive in the ’80s, but that doesn't mean they can't get in on all the neon-colored, big-haired fun! The 1980s was a decade of iconic films, fashion, and faces. So whether you choose to go as a famous celebrity or put together a DIY family costume with brightly-colored accessories, you and your family will have a totally tubular October 31st.
Easy Matching Halloween Costumes for Families
Staying consistent with a prominent theme like Star Trek, Marvel, or The Flintstones can be tricky, especially if you're on a budget or have to throw something together at the last minute before your neighborhood's fall festival. An easy way to get your whole family on theme is to pick something quick and easy that all the kids can get on board with. Here are some of the best costumes you can put together in a pinch.
Baby Shark, Mommy Shark, and Daddy Shark
Has anyone else had the "Baby Shark" song stuck in their head since 2016, or is that just us? If you and your kids answered "yes" to that question, this is the perfect costume for your family. Our collection of Baby Shark costumes has everything from comfy onesies and simple hats to full-body shark suits and more, so your family can make a splash at your Halloween party.
Zoo Animal Family Halloween Costumes
© Ashley Saulsbury via Instagram
If your kiddo is absolutely determined to pick their own costume, but you still want to "help" them make their decision, deciding on an animal theme for your family costume should do the trick. There are so many creatures in the animal kingdom that parents and children alike will be able to find a critter that fits their Halloween vision. You can even add another layer of fun by letting the kids dress up as their favorite animals while you and your partner dress up as zookeepers or animal tamers. Halloween doesn't have to feel like wrangling wild animals for it to be a roarin' good time.
Princes and Princesses Halloween Costumes
If you have young children, chances are they're obsessed with fairytales. So give them a fantastical Halloween by opting for a storybook-themed group costume for your family. Whether you prefer the medieval era or something more timeless, each of your kids can choose a costume that makes them feel magical. From princes and princesses to mythical creatures like dragons and centaurs, this theme has a little something for everyone.
Under the Sea Family Halloween Costumes
If you have a little one who's bent on being a little mermaid this Halloween, an under-the-sea-themed group costume might be the perfect choice for your family. We have mermaid costumes for kids and adults, so everyone can get in on the aquatic action. You can even play around with it by having Dad dress up as a sailor or a shark.
Ninja Halloween Costumes
Roaming the neighborhood after dark is even more fun when you and your family can go from house to house undetected. With a ninja-themed family costume, your neighbors will wonder why the candy bowl is emptying so fast when they haven't had that many visitors. Don't worry: your secret is safe with us.
Pirate Family Halloween Costumes
Sail the seven seas with your family and trick-or-treat for buried treasure on Halloween night. From ruffled shirts and tricorn hats to lace-up boots and eye patches, our lineup of pirate costumes for kids and adults features everything you need to set sail for adventure. No one's going to make a move on your loot this Halloween because once they get a look at your fearsome crew, they'll be walking the plank in the other direction. Yo-ho-ho and a whole lotta fun!
The Chills (and Thrills) Are Multiplying!
The Halloween season is already so much fun, but when you get to add to that fun by making memories as a family, the good times only multiply. Whether you think the best part of Halloween is watching the neighborhood get decked out in Halloween decorations bit by bit, roaming the streets for the best candy, or spending time putting together the perfect costume, we hope these family costume ideas give you some inspiration and help your whole gang make your next Halloween a family affair.
