The Hottest Kids’ Halloween Costumes for 2025 (According to the Internet and Your Child’s Latest Obsession)
From Disney characters to their favorite animals.
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Chances are, your kid announced their Halloween costume choice sometime around July 4th, changed their mind fourteen times since then, and will probably pivot again the morning of October 31st. But right now, there’s still plenty of time to lock something in and stick with it–and the 2025 trends that are popping up are pretty fun.
Gone are the days when “witch” or “ghost” would cut it. No, no. Your seven-year-old now wants to be a character from a Netflix show you’ve never heard of, or worse, something that went viral on TikTok last Tuesday. It seems we now require a PhD in pop culture just to keep up with our kids’ Halloween costume picks.
So buckle up, because I’ve done the research (read: fell down several internet rabbit holes) to bring you the hottest kids’ Halloween costumes for 2025. Some of these will make perfect sense. Others will leave you googling “how to make a Labubu costume” at 11 PM while your kid insists it’s THE costume they simply must have.
Pop culture and entertainment
KPop Demon Hunters
If your child has been asking for a “Rumi costume” and you thought they meant the poet, congratulations—you’re my people. (This is not my wheelhouse and I had to look this one up.) For the uninitiated, KPop Demon Hunters is Netflix’s 2025 animated musical where a girl group secretly battles demons between chart-topping bangers. Because apparently regular K-pop wasn’t extra enough.
The appeal? It’s got everything kids love: sparkly stage wear, fantasy weapons, and “half-demon” body makeup that will definitely stain your bathroom sink. Your kid gets to be a pop star AND a monster hunter. It’s like if Taylor Swift fought vampires, which honestly has my gears turning.
Inside Out 2 Emotions
After the movie’s second installment released last year, we’re all still a little obsessed with the new emotions Riley gained as a teenager. These costumes are an overwhelmed parent’s dream because each emotion basically wears normal clothes—think solid-colored outfits that you probably already own.
It’s basically permission to let your kid wear their normal wardrobe and call it a costume. Even better? This is a fantastic low-stress group costume option for families or friend groups. Everyone picks an emotion, throws on the corresponding colored outfit, and you’re done. (Anxiety wears a sweater vest, which is probably the most relatable character choice for any parent trying to manage Halloween logistics.)
Stranger Things characters
With the final season dropping right after Halloween, we’re all gearing up for one last ride to the Upside Down. Whether they want to go full Eleven with the blonde wig and pink dress, channel Dustin’s iconic baseball cap (I’ve been personally coveting this 80s”Thinking Cap” trucker since its debut) and curly hair, or rock Steve’s perfectly coiffed look, these costumes are having their final moment.
It’s perfect timing, really—your kid gets to dress as their favorite character right before finding out how the whole story ends.
Wednesday Addams (Again)
Yes, Wednesday is back. Because goth girl energy is eternal, and Netflix’s buzz has brought those iconic braids and black dress back into the zeitgeist. It’s spooky without being scary, which is perfect for kids who want to look cool but still sleep without nightmares.
Plus, it’s one of the easier costumes to pull off. Black dress, white collar, braids. Done. Your kid looks appropriately moody, and you didn’t have to craft anything involving hot glue at midnight. Enid is high on the list as well with that enviable rainbow hair streak and Nevermore uniform which Spirit Halloween has in stock.
Wicked Characters
With the sequel ready to drop almost a year to the day after its predecessor, expect to see a lot of little Elphabas and Glindas trick-or-treating this year. It’s Broadway-level glamour meets Halloween magic, and the costumes are gorgeous. Just prepare yourself for the inevitable green face paint that will somehow end up on your couch cushions.
Video games
Minecraft everything
If you have a kid between the ages of 4 and 16, you’ve probably heard more about Minecraft than you ever wanted to. The blocky, pixelated world isn’t going anywhere, and now there’s a movie to fuel the obsession even more.
Steve with his trusty pickaxe, Alex ready for adventure, or the absolutely terrifying Creeper—these costumes are everywhere. The good news? They’re basically cardboard boxes with some creative decoration. The bad news? Your living room is about to look like a craft store exploded.
Super Mario Bros. (Still going strong)
After the massive movie success in 2023 (and decades of love before that), Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, and Bowser continue to dominate Halloween. This is the family costume theme that actually works. Everyone knows who these characters are, the costumes are readily available, and it works across all ages. Plus, you can’t go wrong with overalls and a fake mustache.
Viral trends
Labubu
If you’re asking “what the heck is a Labubu,” join the club. I’m still trying to figure it out, and after an extensive conversation with my teenager, my takeaway is that it’s this generation’s version of a Beanie Baby–but uglier, frankly. The mischievous, nine-toothed critter that somehow jumped from blind-box toy shelves to full-blown cultural phenomenon are now hanging off everything from child’s backpacks to full grown women’s purses (and even some Stanley water bottle handles because of course.)
It’s got big ears, a slightly feral yet cute look, and apparently signals that your kid is “big into energy”—whatever that means. The costume looks like a cross between a gremlin and a stuffed animal, which is either adorable or mildly concerning, depending on your perspective.
Capybaras
The internet has decided that capybaras—those chill, oversized rodents—are the ultimate zen creatures. (That said, I recently saw a video of one attacking a content creator which only made me skeptical of whatever energy she might have been bringing.) Between endless TikTok edits and meme accounts, you’d almost be convinced they’ve got a PR team. A capybara costume basically a brown furry suit with a perpetually calm expression. Perfect for kids who want to be cute animals but are too cool for regular cats or dogs.
Axolotls
Right behind capybaras in the “inexplicably cute internet animals” category are axolotls—those permanently smiling underwater creatures that look like they’re perpetually having the best day ever. Kids love their goofy grin and those feathery gills that make them look like they’re wearing a fancy headdress.
An axolotl costume is essentially a pink or white onesie with some creative gill attachments and that signature smile. Your kid gets to be an adorable amphibian that looks like it’s auditioning for a Pixar movie.
The classics (with a twist)
Sports Heroes
Though sports costumes have been a go-to since forever, they saw a 265% increase in Pinterest searches last year, which we’re attributing to Taylor Swift. We may not have cared about football previously, but now we’re building fantasy teams. (This is completely non-scientific hypothesis, it just feels right.) Since your kid likely has a jersey (or 25), it’s pretty simple. Just add some accessories and boom, costume complete. Bonus points if you dress as a ref to create an easy family theme.
It’s practical, it’s recognizable, and there’s a decent chance you already own half the costume. This is the kind of low-key win we all need.
Superheroes (Superman’s having a moment)
Superheroes are always popular, but expect to see a lot more Superman this year thanks to the new blockbuster movie. Whether kids go for Clark Kent or the full blue and red cape situation is the real question.
My guess? Toddlers will be dressed as dapper Kent by their moms (easier to wrangle), while school-age kids will fight for the cool spandex. Either way, you can’t go wrong with a classic.
Cowboys and cowgirls
The Western trend isn’t going anywhere, thanks to Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter era. Don’t be surprised if you see several little wranglers trick-or-treating this year. It’s got that perfect mix of nostalgia and current relevance that somehow works.
Plus, boots, hat, bandana—it’s a relatively simple costume that looks authentically cool without requiring a Pinterest-worthy craft session.
Formula One Driver
Thanks to Drive to Survive and the general F1 fever that’s taken over, expect to see some pint-sized racing drivers zooming around the neighborhood. It’s basically a jumpsuit covered in sponsor logos, a helmet, and the kind of confidence that comes with pretending you can handle a car going 200 mph.
The costume works because it’s both sporty and slightly fancy—like if NASCAR met European sophistication. Your kid gets to feel like a speed demon while you appreciate that they’re fully covered head to toe in protective gear.
Beloved kids’ shows
Ms. Rachel
If you have a little one, you know Ms. Rachel. She’s a parent favorite too. This costume is beautifully simple: overalls, pink top, headband. Done. Your toddler is happy, you didn’t have to sew anything, and other parents will immediately get it.
Some costume companies are even selling ready-made versions, which is the kind of market recognition that tells you this trend has serious staying power.
Disney Characters (Lilo & Stitch revival)
Traditional Disney is still going strong, especially with live-action remakes bringing characters like Stitch back to the forefront. Angel (Experiment 624) is having a particular moment—she’s Stitch’s pink-furred love interest, and kids are obsessed with her sweet-but-sassy personality.
It’s Disney, so you know the costume will be available everywhere, from high-end to Target clearance rack. Choose your own adventure.
Sesame Street Characters
The funding may have been pulled, but Sesame Street is here to stay. We’re all feeling a little protective of Big Bird and the gang right now, so expect to see more Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Oscar the Grouch costumes this year as parents channel their support for educational programming into Halloween nostalgia. Your kid gets to be a beloved character, and you get to make a subtle statement about the importance of public television. Win-win.
Bluey
If your house has been taken over by the Australian cattle dog family, you’re not alone. Bluey costumes are everywhere because the show has achieved that rare feat of being genuinely enjoyable for both kids and parents. Whether they want to be Bluey, Bingo, or even Bandit, these costumes are pure joy.
Fair warning: your kid will probably spend the entire night trying to get you to play keepy-uppy or some other game they learned from the show. This is not necessarily a bad thing.
Peppa Pig
For families who love jumping in muddy puddles, Peppa and George are household names. The costumes are refreshingly simple—red dress with pink tights for Peppa, or blue for George—plus those iconic pig snouts that you can craft from cardboard and craft sticks. The real challenge isn’t the costume itself, it’s dealing with your kid speaking in a British accent for the entire month of October. You’ve been warned.
Music inspired costumes
Taylor Swift (Eras Never End)
Since we’re still on planet earth, expect to see plenty of Swiftie costumes—whether it’s the sparkly Lover era, moody folklore vibes, or full Red lipstick situation. Though who knows what themes will emerge after October 3rd when Life of a Showgirl drops. I mean, age-appropriately speaking, maybe this is our moment to shine.
The beauty of Taylor Swift costumes is that they can be as simple or elaborate as you want. Throw on some sparkles and call it Fearless, or go full reputation snake mode. Your kid gets to be a pop icon, and you get to play their discography for the millionth time.
Beyoncé-Inspired Western Looks
Cowboy Carter continues to influence fashion, so expect some little Beys trick-or-treating in Western-inspired looks. It’s giving country meets glamour, and it’s a vibe.
The bottom line
2025 Halloween costumes are bigger, bolder, and way more plugged into whatever your kid saw on their iPad last week. The trends are blending creativity, tech, and pop culture in ways that would have made our heads spin as kids.
Some of these costumes you can DIY with cardboard and prayer. Others require actual shopping and possibly some negotiation about what constitutes “appropriate” demon makeup for a seven-year-old. Most of them will be forgotten by Thanksgiving, but at least the photos will be memorable.
And remember, if all else fails, there’s always the classic ghost sheet. Sure, it’s a tripping hazard, but it’s also foolproof. Sometimes the old ways are the best ways, especially when it’s 8 PM on October 30th and your kid has just announced they’ve changed their mind. Again.
Whatever costume chaos awaits you this year, just know we’re all winging it together. May your face paint wash off easily and your trick-or-treat bags be ever full.
Bring everyone’s favorite Heeler sisters to life with these colorful costumes. Kids will love acting out their favorite episodes (and yes, expect a few games of “Keepy Uppy” before bedtime).
A version of this story was originally published on August. 19, 2021. It has been updated on August 29, 2025.
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