As a parent, watching the kids dress up in costume is truly special. They get to imitate their favourite character, interact with other kids and parents, and let their imagination run wild.
Better still, research has shown that dress-up play can aid in children’s development. How? By helping them build their social confidence, improve their vocabulary, develop empathy for others, and even gain a greater understanding of different gender identities.
Of course, to get the most out of your costume party, you need to choose the right theme. Here are some of the most popular ideas for costumes that are guaranteed to be a hit.
Star Wars
With the recent release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and the acclaimed TV series The Mandalorian, the epic space-opera franchise continues to inspire the imaginations of millions.
If the force is strong in your family, then a Star Wars-themed costume party is a must. Fortunately, you’ll have no problem finding a kid’s costume, as there are over 9 Episodes of iconic characters to choose from – including Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader through to Rey, Kylo Ren, and heaps more.
You can also transform the house into your very own Death Star by hanging R2D2 pinatas on the ceiling, placing a few pop-up Stormtroopers around the place, and serving delicious food and drinks on Star Wars-themed dinnerware.
Toy Story
For nearly 25 years, the Toy Story franchise has been one of the most beloved and highly acclaimed animated series of all time.
In Toy Story 4, a few new characters were introduced, most notably Forky, a white plastic spork made from scavenged parts. The film also gave existing characters like Bo Peep a much greater role in the Toy Story universe. As a result, both characters have become very popular kid’s costumes.
Of course, if your kids have a soft spot for classic characters like Woody, Buzz, Rex, or anyone else, there’s plenty of onesies and costumes with complete accessories to satisfy their personal taste.
Pokémon
Ever since the release of Pokémon Red and Blue in 1996, audiences both young and old have aspired to become Pokémon masters. Following the film adaptation of Detective Pikachu last year, including the recent release of Pokémon Sword and Shield on Nintendo Switch, the series continues to be a massive global phenomenon.
Fortunately, it’s easy to host your own Pokémon party. Most costume shops sell a range of Pokémon-themed costumes, which include both onesies and traditional costumes with accessories. Whether you want to dress up as your favourite Pokémon, trainer, or even a member of Team Rocket – the choice is yours.
Frozen
Few can deny the influence that Frozen has had on the world. Many hapless parents can attest to their child’s obsession with the film. From the catchy songs through to the enchanting characters and inspiring world. It’s no wonder the film spawned its own Broadway stage musical, spin-off TV show, and the feature-length sequel Frozen 2 released last year.
Is your household is still swept up in Frozen-mania? If so, then a costume party could be in order. Fortunately, you’ll have no problem finding a suitable costume for the kids. Whether they want to fancy dress up as Elsa, Anna, or Olaf – they’ll be spoilt for choice.
Plus, you can transport your guests back to the world of Arendelle by turning your venue into a winter wonderland. To establish the chilling atmosphere, hang snowflakes on the ceiling, drape the walls with the scenery of the Ice Castle, and sprinkle some blue glitter on your cupcakes to imitate the appearance of ice!
Make Sure To Ask Your Child!
With all that said, there are still countless other ideas out there for you to use on your child’s upcoming costume party. Make sure to get your kids involved in the party planning stages as they’re sure to appreciate you asking for their input. Remember that your child’s costume should be a character that they love most of all and while the ideas above are popular choices, your child’s costume should ultimately be their choice.