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Great Halloween Costume Ideas for Brothers

_Joan_ by _Joan_

Costumes that two brothers can do together

Looking for Halloween costume ideas for your sons? My two boys and I put our heads together to come up with the best costume suggestions we could think of for two brothers.

Halloween is a great time to create family memories, and a cool tandem costume is something that your sons will talk about for years afterward ("Remember that year we went as . . .")

We'd love for you to share your ideas, too!



(This adorable photo from 1966 is in the public domain and was shared on Wikimedia Commons by JGKlein.)

Note: I wanted to put lots of pictures on this web page, so some of them are pictures from Amazon.com. Amazon lets you use their pictures as long as you put a link to the product on your page. So some of the portrait pictures you see here link to products from Amazon.

Index of costume ideas for brothers

I have these costume ideas grouped by the age group that would be most attracted to them. But I could be wrong! Maybe your boys will like an idea that's not usually associated with their age group. Feel free!
  1. COSTUMES FOR YOUNGER BOYS
  2. Mario & Luigi
  3. Buzz Lightyear & Sheriff Woody
  4. Ernie & Bert
  5. Thing 1 & Thing 2
  6. *****************************************************************
  7. COSTUMES FOR OLDER BOYS
  8. Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson
  9. Dr. Victor Frankenstein & Frankenstein's monster
  10. Bart Simpson & Milhouse Van Houten
  11. The Blues Brothers
  12. Earl & Randy Hickey
  13. Good Cop & Bad Cop
  14. Spy vs. Spy
  15. *****************************************************************
  16. COSTUMES FOR ONE OLDER BOY AND ONE YOUNGER BOY
  17. A fisherman and a fish
  18. A fireman and a Dalmatian
  19. A Christmas tree and a Christmas present
  21. David & Goliath
  22. *****************************************************************
  23. COSTUMES FOR ANY AGES
  24. Superman & Lex Luthor
  25. Batman & Robin
  26. Shrek & Donkey
  27. Shaggy & Scooby Doo
  28. SpongeBob Squarepants & Patrick Star
  29. *****************************************************************
  30. ADD YOUR OWN SUGGESTIONS: Halloween costume ideas for brothers

COSTUMES FOR YOUNGER BOYS

Mario & Luigi

These characters are VERY popular with the younger set. Mario and Luigi are, of course, the twin brother characters from the Mario video games by Nintendo. They are plumbers who rescue damsels in distress and thwart the plans of villains.

Luigi is taller and thinner than Mario, and Mario is portrayed as the braver of the two brothers. You can learn more about their traits from their Wikipedia pages: Mario and Luigi.

Making Mario & Luigi costumes from scratch takes some work, but it can be done. Here are instructions -- How to Make Mario & Luigi Costumes.




Super Mario Brothers
Deluxe Mario Costume, Small


Super Mario Brothers
Deluxe Luigi Costume, Small

Buzz Lightyear & Sheriff Woody

Ultra-popular with kids are these heroes from the Toy Story trilogy. Woody is depicted as being a little taller than Buzz.

You could probably get away with wearing any kind of cowboy gear for the Woody costume, but if you want to be really authentic, here are instructions for making Woody's shirt and vest: Make your own Woody costume.

I found two good instructionals for making Buzz Lightyear costumes. One is a fairly easy version, the other is for folks who are seriously crafty and want to make the awesomest costume on the block. Here they are:

Purchasing the costumes is also an option:


Woody Deluxe Child - Size: Child S(4-6)


Buzz Lightyear Classic - Size: Child S(4-6)

Ernie & Bert


The best of best friends, everybody loves Bert & Ernie from Sesame Street!

Ernie, of course, is the shorter one of the two buddies, and is more outgoing. Bert is taller and quieter.

You can buy the costumes, but they sure are expensive. Making them is highly recommended. Here's how:


Retro Ernie Tween Costume


Bert Tween Costume

Thing 1 & Thing 2

(Image is from a print that is sold on Amazon)


Thing 1 and Thing 2 are the energetic troublemakers in the classic Dr. Seuss book "The Cat in the Hat".

If your boys are irrepressible bundles of energy, they'll be perfect for this costume. And it would be oh-so-cute for twins!

"Thing" costumes are not difficult to make on your own. Here's how: Homemade costume ideas for Thing 1 & Thing 2.



Child's Thing 1 Costume Size: Small


Thing 2 Deluxe Child Costume Size: Small

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COSTUMES FOR OLDER BOYS

Sherlock Holmes & Dr. Watson



A very classy, but also fun, costume idea for brothers or friends. The brilliant and ever-calm super-detective, Sherlock Holmes, and his trusty partner, Dr. John Hamish Watson.

Holmes is tall and thin. Here's a detailed description of his physical appearance: What Sherlock Holmes looks like.

Watson is shorter and thicker. Here are his particulars: What Dr. Watson looks like.

I saw Holmes and Watson costumes commercially available in adult sizes only. That might work for older teen boys. For any younger boys, you'll probably have to make the costumes yourself.

Here's how to make Sherlock's costume: How to make a Sherlock Holmes costume.

Dr. Watson can wear a suit, as similar as possible to the suits men wore during the Victorian Era. He is often portrayed wearing a bowler hat.



Sherlock Costume Adult
(it's just the overcoat and hat, not the pipe)


Sherlock Holmes Detective Kit


Dr Watson Adult Halloween Costume

Dr. Victor Frankenstein & Frankenstein's monster



The picture above (from Wikimedia Commons) is the actual frontispiece from Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein. But the costumes that people associate with Dr. Frankenstein and his creation look quite different.

Here's how to get the look that people would be expecting. You can make it yourself:or buy it:
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Bart Simpson & Milhouse Van Houten


Images from a Simpsons t-shirt that is sold on Amazon


Cowabunga! These best friends from The Simpsons are a classic teaming of the do-gooder (most of the time) and the troublemaker. The clothes are simple, and there's a limitless supply of funny lines from the show that can keep the humor going all night.

According to The Simpsons canon, Milhouse is one inch taller than Bart.

Here are instructions for a Bart costume: How to Make a Bart Simpson costume.

You can also buy a Bart Mask:


Bart Simpson Mask










And I made a page myself with instructions on how to make a Milhouse costume, since I didn't see any other Milhouse instructions online.
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The Blues Brothers



This costume idea is a great opportunity for a pair of brothers to ham it up, singing and dancing around as Jake and Elwood Blues, the blues-and-soul singing duo from Saturday Night Live. Or if singing isn't their bag, they can just look cool in their shades and quote lines from the movie.

Jake is the shorter brother, who was played by John Belushi. Elwood is the tall one, who was played by Dan Aykroyd.

You can easily make these costumes on your own. If they already have black suits, you're halfway there. Here are detailed instructions for doing it yourself -- Create your own Blues Brothers costumes.

Or, if you prefer, you can buy them.



Instant Blues Man Kit

Earl & Randy Hickey


Image is from the cover of a "My Name Is Earl" DVD that is sold on Amazon


A great humorous costume idea. Earl Hickey, the former small-time crook on a mission to straighten out a lifetime of bad karma, and his dim brother Randy, from the comedy TV show "My Name Is Earl".

Earl is the definitely the leader of the two brothers and is of average build. Randy is the portly one who lives to be his brother's sidekick. Both brothers have Southern accents.

I haven't seen any vendors who sell Earl or Randy costumes, but their costumes would be very simple to create using clothes you can find anywhere.
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Good Cop & Bad Cop



"Now listen here! If you don't hand over some candy RIGHT NOW, there's gonna be trouble! You think I'm kidding around with you? DO YOU!?!?"

"Ma'am, I'm so sorry for the way my brother is acting. There's really no need for any unpleasantness. I know you're a nice lady, and I'm sure you want to do the right thing and just give us some candy . . ."

This costume is more about the acting than the clothes. It could be the hit of the party if your boys are really into their roles. They can each assume an identity as the good cop or bad cop, then interact with everybody in keeping with their characters.

And making police costumes is very easy: Instructions for homemade police costumes. You could even write "GOOD COP" and "BAD COP" on their badges.

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Spy vs. Spy

What could be cooler than going as the Black Spy and the White Spy from Mad Magazine's "Spy vs. Spy" comics. Your boys could even try to pull a few pranks on each other in keeping with their characters.

Here's a description of how to make them yourself -- Make your own Spy vs. Spy costumes.

There are also Spy vs. Spy costumes and props for sale:


Spy Vs Spy Black Spy Costume


Spy Vs Spy White Spy Adult Costume


Fake Dynamite Toy Prop

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COSTUMES FOR ONE OLDER BOY AND ONE YOUNGER BOY

A fisherman and a fish

A fun one. Let your big son show the world what a great catch his little brother is!

Homemade option:

Store-bought option:


Baby Irridescent Fish Bunting Infant Halloween Costume Size 0-12m


Fisherman Child Costume Size 12-14 Large


Magnetic Fishing Set By Toysmith

A fireman and a Dalmatian

Dress your big guy as a real-life hero. And there's nothing cuter than a little guy in a puppy costume!

Here are instructions for making them yourself:


Jr. Fire Fighter Suit (12 To 14) - Black


Dalmatian Toddler Costume

A Christmas tree and a Christmas present

It's Christmas in October with this fun costume pair.

Here's how to make a Christmas tree costume for your big guy:
How to make a Christmas tree costume

And a gift-wrapped box costume for your little guy:
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You can also buy Christmas tree costumes:


Child's Christmas Tree Costume (Size: Large)

David & Goliath

This is a good one for church parties or anywhere else. And your little guy will love being able to "take down" his big brother.

I saw one website that was selling a David costume, but it was pretty expensive. You're better off making your own.

Here are instructions for how to make your own David & Goliath costumes.

*****************************************************************

COSTUMES FOR ANY AGES

Superman & Lex Luthor


Maybe your boys would get a kick out of portraying the classic rivalry between superhero Superman and super-villain Lex Luthor.

Here are instructions on how to make your own Superman costume.

Lex Luthor has been depicted a few different ways over the decades. Some of his different styles are discussed on this forum page: Lex Luthor's looks.

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Batman & Robin


Image is from a Batman & Robin trick-or-treat bag that is sold on Amazon.

The Dynamic Duo are a classic choice, of course. The older brother would most likely be Batman, while the younger portrays Robin.

Want to make the costumes yourself?


Child's Batman costume


Child's Robin Costume

Shrek & Donkey

Making Shrek and Donkey costumes takes a bit of work, but here are the instructions:
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Shaggy & Scooby Doo

A fun costume for young kids or for teens, the groovy and hungry best buddies, Shaggy (his "real" name is Norville Rogers) and Scooby Doo.

If your sons are going to be eating everything in sight anyway, why not dress them as Shaggy and Scooby?

Here are instructions for making these costumes yourself: Make your own Shaggy & Scooby Doo costumes.

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SpongeBob Squarepants & Patrick Star


Image is of a pair of SpongeBob and Patrick dolls that are sold on Amazon.



I wish there were costumes available that were as cute as these dolls, but anyway, you know there are plenty of kids out there who would love to dress for Halloween as the goofy best pals SpongeBob and Patrick.

I found some guidelines online for making these costumes yourself (which I recommend highly since the retail Patrick costume is very expensive!): Make your own SpongeBob and Patrick costumes.




SpongeBob Costume Boy - Large 12-14


Patrick Star Adult Size Cartoon Mascot Costume

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ADD YOUR OWN SUGGESTIONS: Halloween costume ideas for brothers

Do you have another idea of a great brothers costume? Share it here:

  • ernad18 Jan 20, 2012 @ 3:20 pm | delete
    good idea.... nice lens
  • shahrukh021 Oct 9, 2011 @ 7:32 am | delete
    cute costumes...
    i too liked the scooby and shagy costume, its the best one
  • sousababy Aug 15, 2011 @ 9:22 am | delete
    Love the Shaggy and Scooby Doo costumes. Great work.
  • puerdycat Aug 14, 2011 @ 3:27 pm | delete
    Actually did this one. Suited to two polar opposite personalities: the fisherman and his lure. My guy was not that into costumes, but dressing up as fisherman was OK. I dressed up as a long-legged furry thing. We attached me by elastic line to be occasionally reeled in. Have fun!
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  • Edutopia Jan 31, 2012 @ 12:13 am | delete
    Great collection of ideas! When I was a kid my brother and I went as Robin Hood and one of his merry band. For the Halloween party one of us got to be Robin Hood and then when we went trick or treating we switched.
  • jamie Oct 12, 2011 @ 2:58 pm | delete
    You could always do a farmer and a cow or pig or any farm animal.
  • _Joan_ Oct 12, 2011 @ 3:12 pm | delete
    Oh, I love that idea! I'm definitely going to add that one.
  • ArtByLinda Oct 10, 2011 @ 10:46 pm | delete
    These are all great ideas~
  • sousababy Aug 15, 2011 @ 9:24 am | delete
    Oops, posted in the wrong spot. I once saw a person dressed up as a pregnant nun and thought that was hilarious (I know, not really a brothers costume - but I thought of sisters, hence nun).
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This Halloween Magazine page written by

_Joan_

Joan has two sons who are best friends.

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