Halloween Party Costumes
Welcome! This lens is about creative and fun Halloween costumes for children and teens of all ages, and for adults as well. You'll also find exciting party favorites to make any Halloween party a haunting and smashing success! You can also let your imagination run wild and create your own look using face paints or some of the other props on this website. The Salvation Army is a great place to get all your props for an awesome Halloween costume, your purchase goes to a great cause.
The Halloween Holiday
October 31, 2011
The Halloween Holiday is celebrated on the night of October 31. Common Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, ghost tours, bonfires, costume parties, visiting "haunted houses", carving Jack-o'-lanterns, reading scary stories and watching horror movies. Irish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America in the nineteenth century. Other western countries embraced the holiday in the late twentieth century. Halloween is celebrated in several countries of the Western world, most commonly in Ireland (where it originated), the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and occasionally in parts of Australia.
The modern holiday of Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain. The festival of Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest season in Gaelic culture, and is sometimes regarded as the "Celtic New Year". Traditionally, the festival was a time used by the ancient pagans to take stock of supplies and slaughter livestock for winter stores. The ancient Gaels believed that on October 31, now known as Halloween, the boundary between the alive and the deceased dissolved, and the dead become dangerous for the living by causing problems such as sickness or damaged crops. The festivals would frequently involve bonfires, where the bones of slaughtered livestock were thrown. Costumes and masks were also worn at the festivals in an attempt to mimic the evil spirits or placate them
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Origin Of Halloween Costumes
A Quick Look At The History Of Halloween Costumes
Halloween Costumes are outfits worn on or around October 31, the day of Halloween. Halloween is a modern-day holiday originating in the Pagan Celtic holiday of Samhain (in Christian times, the eve of All Saints Day). Although popular histories of Halloween claim that the practice goes back to ancient celebrations of Samhain, in fact there is little primary documentation of masking or costuming on Halloween before the twentieth century. Costuming became popular for Halloween parties in America in the early 1900s, as often for adults as for children. The first mass-produced Halloween Costumes appeared in stores in the 1930s when trick-or-treating was becoming popular in the United States.
What sets Halloween Costumes apart from costumes for other celebrations or days of dressing up is that they are often designed to imitate supernatural and scary beings. Costumes are traditionally those of monsters such as vampires, ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils. There are also costumes of pop culture figures like presidents, or film, television, and cartoon characters. Another popular trend is for women (and in some cases, men) to use Halloween as an excuse to wear particularly revealing costumes, showing off more skin than would be socially acceptable otherwise.
Halloween costume parties generally fall on, or around, 31 October, often falling on the Friday or Saturday prior to Halloween. According to The National Retail Federation's (NRF) 2007 Halloween Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, the top Halloween Costumes for children in the United States are:
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Halloween Games
Creative Halloween Games you could make at home
Most children love all things Halloween. As adults, we assume it's because Halloween means candy and children generally love candy. But many children love more than just the abundance of candy at Halloween time. They really get into the ghoulish aspect of the holiday and delight in the displays of goopy brains and squishy body parts.
Halloween games, therefore, can be really fun and goopy, if you wish. First up, a brain game. There's a fun game on store shelves where you pick through a rubber "brain" to figure out what's in it. You can create this easily yourself. Make some jello and fill it with a variety of items, like gummy worms and other gummy candies, some small candy and trinkets and other items. Tell the children to root around in the bowl of jello (call it a "brain" if this will get the kids more interested) to figure out what's in it. It's goopy and messy and kids love it. Best yet, color the jello black so it's too dark to see what's inside and it looks more like goopy brain matter (the way kids see it, anyway).
In that same, or similar vein, kids love the spaghetti game. Be sure they are wearing a smock over their clothes or are wearing play clothes before playing this game. Make a big bowl of spaghetti and fill it with all kinds of items, like plastic bugs, gummy worms and other items that might feel a bit strange. Make the children feel around in the bowl of spaghetti and identify the items they feel. Once they are done and cleaned up, have them list as many items as they can remember. Whoever gets the most items listed (and right) gets a prize. Spaghetti, anyone?
Another similar game that's always popular is to take a cardboard box and paint it black, both the inside and outside. Carve a small hole in the top, really just large enough for the children to get their hands into, and fill the box with a variety of items. They can be related to Halloween (like a small pumpkin) or not (wrapped Tootsie rolls or a tiny toy Hummer car). Have the children guess what's inside the box and award the box itself to the child who guesses the most number of items correctly. To make this goopy and silly, be sure to include some items that might feel like body parts or brain matter.
Kids love creating silly fictional stories, often with absurd plotlines. Halloween is the optimum time to let them run wild with their imaginations. Have them spend a bit of time writing out the scariest story they can think of. Some children might need some direction not to make it ridiculously grotesque, so use caution with these children in your clarification of this assignment. Once the stories are written, have the children hand them in and then have a guest reader for each one of them. Each child will come to the front of the class and read the story with as much dramatization as they can muster. Once the story is read, everyone has to guess who wrote the story. The writer should play along, otherwise everyone will know it was their story! The winner is the child who wrote a story so intriguing and unusual that nobody knew it was his or hers!
Kids love the word find games when you give them a word or words relating to a holiday or something else and have them find words within those words. In this case, give them Halloween-related words and ask them to find as many scary words as they can. For example, you might give them the word "Halloween" and see how many scary words they can make from the letters. Or you could give them a series of words and let them rearrange the letters in all of the words to create scary words, or even create a story from the scary words. Put a time limit on this game and award a prize for the child who creates the most words in the least amount of time.
Feather Masks On Sticks
Great For Any Halloween Event!
Colorful Masks on a Stick! A large feather masks come in a colorful group to brighten your your Haloween, Masquerade Ball and Dance Floor. Mix with our mask assortments for a festive event.
Indiana Jones Deluxe Xl Costume
One of the hottest movies ever made!
Includes: Jacket, pants and hat. Whip and shoes not included. Available in adult sizes Standard and X-Large. This is an officially licensed Indiana Jones costume.
Halloween has become one of the biggest holidays in the United States, millions of dollars are spent on decorations and treats each year.
Infant Girl Costume Selections
These adorable infant girl costumes will be the talk of the party and make for wonderful and memorable Halloween pictures of your little princess!
Sugarplum Fairy 24months
Costume includes: Dress of glittering purple petals, cute green leaf booties, a flowering headpiece and fairy wings. waist is approx 24" & dress length (top of shoulder to bottom) approx 17". Headpiece now differs from shown,there are no leaf accents...
Lolli The Clown 24mos-2t Includes: Polka dot hoop dress, bloomers, leggings, bow headband and clown shoe covers. Makeup not included. ...
Infant Boy Costume Selections
These adorable boy costumes will be the talk of the party and make for wonderful and memorable Halloween pictures!
Bumble Bee To 24 MonthsCostume includes: One black and yellow striped tunic, yellow hat with antennas, and white wings. One-size fits most up to 24 months..Tights and shoes not included...
Teddy 6-12 Months Teddy infant costume includes a chenille and flannel jumpsuit with bowtie, hood, and blanket. Available in sizes. 6-12 months, 12-18 Months, and 18-24 Months...
Teen Girls Halloween Costumes
Disco Dolly Teen Includes: dress and head wrap. Boots and jewelry not including. teen size 3-5...
Children Costume Selections
Gryffindor Robe Medium This premium deluxe hooded robe is made of Black velvet and lined in Burgundy satin with a front clasp and the Gryffindor Crest on the front. This is an officially licensed Harry Potter costume. Glasses, Wand, Scar Kit, and Tie sold separately...
Batman Dk L Deluxe
Includes: Muscle chest jumpsuit with attached boot tops, headpiece, cape and belt. Available in children's sizes Toddler, Small, Medium and Large. This is an officially licensed Batman costume...
Indiana Jones
Includes: Shirt, pants and hat. Satchel, belt and shoes not included. Available in children sizes Small, Medium and Large. This is an officially licensed Indiana Jones costume. Whip sold separately..
Anakin SkywalkerThis Anakin Skywalker as a Jedi costume includes: a dark brown printed tunic style shirt and pants with attached boot tops. Anakin's lightsaber is sold separately. This is an officially licensed STAR WARS Revenge of the Sith costume. See All Star Wars Crew ...
Superman Returns This costume includes a muscle chest, blue jumpsuit with attached boot tops, burgundy cape and molded yellow belt. This is an officially licensed Superman costume, ? DC Comics...
Boys Halloween Costumes
Teen Sizes
Link Larkin
Includes:Includes jacket with attached half shirt, tie, pants and a separate belt. Available in Teen size 10-14. Wig, shoes, and microphone not included. This is an officially licensed Hairspray product. ...
Butterball Deluxe
Includes: Mask, robe, and weapons. Pants and shoes not included. Available in Pre-Teen size 14-16. This is an officially licensed Hellraiser costume...
Chatterer Teen
Includes: Mask, shirt, pants, and gloves. Boots and hooked chain not included. Available in Teen size 20-22. This is an officially licensed Hellraiser costume...
See All Star Teen Boys Costume...
Women Halloween Costumes
Adult Sizes
Southern Belle Adult
Includes top, skirt, and hoop skirt. Jewelry, gloves, and umbrella not included. Available in women sizes small, medium, and large.
View the Adult women selection below.
Deluxe Vampire Cape
A Realistic Touch To Any Vampire Costume.
Deluxe Vampire Cape - Medium (48" Long) ~ Halloween Vampire Capes (STC11501-M)
Amazon Price: $15.88 (as of 06/01/2012)
This garment includes: A Black Vampire Cape made of double layers of deluxe polyester fabric with red lining. Fully lined with collar that folds and lies on the shoulders 48" long. One size fits most. Smooth & stretchy material gives you a fresh vampire look!
The Dark Knight Joker Mask
Flexable Latex Halloween Mask
Joker Latex Mask W/hair
From The Dark Knight (2008) the character was portrayed by the late Heath Ledger. Includes: Mask. Available in adult One-Size. This is an officially licensed Batman accessory. Click on any mask to see the full collection...
Halloween Accessories
Create Your Own Costume
Halloween Makeup Kits
Rainbow Face Paint Kit
* Non-toxic
* Water-based
* Hypoallergenic
* Includes an eight color palette
* brush, sponge and face painting guide
* Easy-on, easy-off
* Enough to paint over 50 full faces
Goth Vampira Wig
Great wig for the ultimate Vampire look!
This Goth Vampira Wig features long Black ringlets that are piled high and fall just below the shoulder, as well as thick black bangs that come to a center point.
Ghostly Books
Vote For Your Favorite
Castles of Colorado: Scandals, Hauntings, and Tales of the Past by Ann Westerberg
From the unusual to the more traditional construct more...1 point
Ghost Stalker Two: A Psychic Medium Visits Europe's Most Haunted Castles by Michell Whitedove
Ghost Stalker Two is a psychic's personal journey more...1 point
Living With Ghosts: Eleven Extraordinary Tales (Living with Ghosts) by Michel
I'm an avid reader of ghost stories, and I'm usually more...1 point
This Spectred Isle: A Journey Through Haunted England by Simon Marsden
Pictures and stories of haunted places all over En more...1 point
Ghosthunter: Haunted Castles and Their Ghostly Tales 2008 Wall Calendar
Simon Marsden is a photographer/artist who skillfu more...1 point
And The Winner Is!
Best Halloween Costume Trophy
It will be hard to choose who could be so lucky as to win our best costume award. Our 9.5" Skeleton Trophy will be proudly displayed by the winner of the Best Costume Contest at your Halloween party.
Halloween Footwear
The Shoes and Boots Complete The Look!
Hazel Black Shoes
These 3" square Heel shoes with gold tone buckle make a great addition to any witch costume. See More Shoes & Boots
Halloween Craft Projects
Some great website for free Halloween do-it-yourself projects.
- Billy Bear's Friendly Ghost
- Billy Bear's Make a Friendly Ghost Materials NeededWhite Cloth (about 1/2 yard)
Black Felt, Balloon, Empty Oatmeal Container,
Masking Tape, Fabric Stiffener, Old Bowl, Old Spoon, Piece of Cardboard Scissors, Take your white material (thin white cotton works. - Free Halloween Craft Patterns at www.allcrafts.net
- AllCrafts.net - Free Crafts Network
Free Crafts projects! Your guide for all types of crafts. Holiday crafts, Kids crafts, crochet, knitting, dolls, rubber stamps and much more! 20+ craft categories. New free projects added weekly! - Halloween Crafts (Scary Halloween Decorations, Craft Ideas) - and More Great Family Fun Craft Ideas
- Find dozens of Halloween crafts like spiders, ghosts, skeletons, bats and more at Family Fun's Halloween Fright Site!
- Halloween: Trick or Treat - Free Crafts, Activities, Costume Ideas, Recipes, Printables
- Find Hundreds of free Halloween Projects! Make a variety of Halloween related items such as costumes, ghosts, pumpkins, spiders, coloring books, and more.
- Halloween Party Supplies
- Party supplies for ALL occasions, at great prices, conveniently shipped to your door including glow items, dance floor giveaways, party theme products, maracas, tambourines, hats, glasses, streamers, paper goods, decorating kits, inflatable instruments, and hundreds of unique party items and novelti
Halloween Items At Auction
Get Some Haunted Deals Here
Fog Machine W/ Remote
Gives Your Paryt That Hunted Feeling
American Dj Mini Fog Fog Machine
Amazon Price: $39.98 (as of 05/31/2012)
Other Halloween Lenses
by Diana Romaxx
Halloween Chatter Online
- Wes Anderson Will Supply One Authentic Wes Anderson Costume for Halloween This ...
- Each Halloween, tens of thousands* of Wes Anderson?movie costumes are recycled because of their simplicity, their sophistication, and their ready availability after the previous year's Tenenbaums retread. This year, though, Wes Anderson is auctioning ...
- Halloween-Masked Carjackers Try To Grab Woman
- The man, who was in the driver's seat, told police a man wearing a Halloween mask and dark clothing appeared at his car door and ordered him to get out. The driver initially resisted until the masked man pulled a handgun, threatened him and yanked him ...
- Shout! Factory Launches Scream Factory Line With HALLOWEEN II & III Blu-ray ...
- The first two releases this September from the company will be Halloween II and Halloween III. The former film has just recently been released on Blu-ray, however, this new special edition will include new bonus material along with presumably a better ...
- Carpe Weekend: Every day is Halloween
- File photo If I had control of the calendar, every day would be Halloween. I'm not saying we'd have to do away with any of the other great holidays out there. But I'd make sure people who wanted to could have a bit of spooky fun, even in the dead of ...
Share your thoughts about this Halloween Lens! Thank You For Stopping By.
Have A Fun and Safe Halloween!
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Jellyrolldesigns Oct 13, 2011 @ 5:37 pm | delete
- Great Halloween lens! I am getting so many inspiration from this :-)
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MiniMaker
Oct 4, 2011 @ 11:12 am | delete
- Great lense! I love the guestbook graphic too!
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braidhairextensions
Jul 18, 2011 @ 2:10 pm | delete
- Halloween gives new ideas a boost, nice lens lot of great information..Hair Extensions
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photofk3
Jan 10, 2011 @ 1:12 pm | delete
- I live in Hungary, we don't celebrate Halloween in my country. However I know that Americans do celebrate Halloween and I think it would be cool to have a Halloween party here in Hungary.
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egadapparel
Nov 8, 2010 @ 7:40 pm | delete
- This lens has so much to choose from, I like the scary jack o lantern the best though. :)
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windygig
Oct 31, 2010 @ 1:53 pm | delete
- I LOVE THE JOKER
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KimGiancaterino Oct 31, 2010 @ 11:30 am | delete
- Lots of fun ideas here. Your guestbook graphic is great. Happy Halloween!
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the777group
Oct 28, 2010 @ 11:28 pm | delete
- Halloween has just started to thake off here in Australia, so this is all a bit of an education for me. Fantastic!
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gypsyman27
Oct 28, 2010 @ 4:04 pm | delete
- Great Halloween lens! I like all of your DIY ideas as well as the costumes shown. see you around the galaxy...
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ClinicallySignificantProductions
Oct 28, 2010 @ 7:06 am | delete
- Awesome lens! I really enjoyed reading the history behind Halloween and the custom of costumes. Great job!
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maryrussel Oct 27, 2010 @ 6:21 pm | delete
- Great Halloween Lens. One of my favorite holidays.
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CliveAnderson
Oct 22, 2010 @ 12:51 pm | delete
- Awesome lens, some of the costume ideas are brilliant. Thank you for visiting my Peacock Halloween Costume lens I'm glad you liked it. You certainly know your stuff as this and other lenses have clearly had a lot of thought go into them... thanks again,
Warm Regards,
Clive
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RitaK
Oct 13, 2010 @ 8:35 pm | delete
- You have such a great choice of costumes, the double-take photos really show them off! This is a one stop and shop lens! Very nice!
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ZablonMukuba Oct 11, 2010 @ 10:06 pm | delete
- i love the kids clothes they are very cute
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LisaAuch
Oct 7, 2010 @ 2:37 am | delete
- I just love the little kids lion outfit...lovely collection here
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Olek
Sep 29, 2010 @ 1:37 pm | delete
- Cool lens and lots of info.
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MarieFlorian
Oct 30, 2009 @ 10:30 pm | delete
- Happy Halloween! So comprehensive. A great lens. Cheers
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2Eklectik
Oct 21, 2009 @ 7:15 pm | delete
- My family has so much fun with halloween. We look forward to what the kids choose to be every year since they are old enough to pick out there own costumes. Great lens. 5*
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richard_wheeler
Sep 17, 2008 @ 4:07 pm | delete
- Great Lens! This lens has a lot of great ideas.
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Mortira
Sep 16, 2008 @ 2:53 pm | delete
- Great selection of Hallowe'en attire!
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sophiesara
Sep 11, 2008 @ 11:03 pm | delete
- hai, good lens, really iam fear about Flexible Latex Halloween Mask, but it nice :)- ***** for u
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This Halloween Magazine page written by
Romaxx
Welcome, I love Squidoo because it gave me the opportunity to help one of my favorite charities, The Salvation Army, by writing about my favorite areas... more »
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Halloween Toilet Paper Holder
Halloween Toilet Paper Holder Skeleton Grinning Skull
Amazon Price: $11.49 (as of 06/01/2012)
Giant Creepy Cloth Spider
Halloween decoration - GIANT Creepy Cloth SPIDER - extends 4 feet!
Amazon Price: (as of 05/31/2012)
Halloween Beverage Labels
Martha Stewart Crafts Halloween Vampire Assorted Beverage Labels
Amazon Price: $22.02 (as of 05/31/2012)
