My strongest memories from Halloween though are piling in the mini van with my friends and trying to hit every house in town for candy. Trick-or-treating with friends is the best!
I don’t remember ever coordinating outfits with anyone else, but I do know that I would have thought it was super fun. And now that I’ve got two boys of my own I’m all about the group ideas! So far they’ve been Mario and Luigi and then Sonic and Tails! If you’re anything like me, you may even find yourself trying to top what everyone wore last year.
I found some new group costume ideas for kids that will be great for your own kids, neighborhood friends, or any group you can think of! Many of these ideas can also work as family Halloween costumes or be adapted for large groups by adding more characters.
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Group Costumes for Kids
FAQs about Group Costumes:
1: How do you choose a group costume everyone will actually like?
Start with something the kids already have in common. Think about their favorite movies, TV shows, books, games, superheroes, or even foods. If you’re dressing a group of friends, let everyone have a say in choosing their own character within the theme. You’re much more likely to get enthusiastic participants that way!
Themes with lots of different characters are especially helpful because everyone can choose a costume that fits their personality.
2: What are some easy group costumes to put together?
The easiest group costumes usually start with things you already own. Look for ideas that use basic T-shirts, pajamas, jeans, solid-colored clothing, or other pieces already hanging in the kids’ closets. Then add a few inexpensive accessories to make each character recognizable.
An easy costume doesn’t need to be elaborate to be cute. In fact, some of the simplest ideas can look especially fun when you see the entire group together.
3: How do you plan a group costume for kids of different ages?
Choose a theme with plenty of characters or one that can easily be adapted for different ages. Storybook characters, superheroes, movie characters, and other broad themes work well because a toddler, elementary-aged child, and tween don’t necessarily have to wear the same type of costume.
And don’t forget comfort! A toddler may tolerate a costume very differently than an older kid, so it’s perfectly fine to simplify one child’s look while keeping everyone within the same theme.
4: Do group costumes have to match exactly?
Not at all! The costumes just need something that ties them together. That might be characters from the same movie, coordinating colors, a shared accessory, or different costumes that all fit one larger idea.
This can also make planning much easier. Instead of trying to find matching costumes for everyone, each child can have an individual look that still makes sense when the group is together.
5: Can you make a group costume without spending a lot of money?
Definitely. Before buying complete costumes, shop everyone’s closets first. You may already have much of what you need and only have to purchase a hat, cape, wig, or other accessory to finish each look.
DIY costumes can also be as simple or elaborate as you want. You don’t have to be especially crafty to pull off a great group look!
6: Are group costumes just for Halloween?
No! While they’re obviously perfect for trick-or-treating, these ideas can also work for a costume party, school event, themed birthday party, spirit week, or any other occasion that calls for dressing up.
And honestly, if you’ve gone to the trouble of coordinating several kids’ costumes, take every opportunity you can to get some cute photos out of it!
Group Costume Ideas
Need some inspiration? Whether you’re coordinating siblings, cousins, or a whole crew of kids, these group costume ideas range from super simple to completely over-the-top. Some can be pulled together with clothes you already own, while others are all about the costumes and fun accessories.
Movie & TV Group Costume Ideas
Wizard of Oz: Recreate the characters from the classic film with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, and the Wicked Witch of the West. Toto is an adorable option for the littlest member of the group!
Toy Story: With so many characters to choose from, Toy Story is a great idea for groups of almost any size. Start with Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Rex, and Mr. Potato Head, then add Bo Peep, Slinky Dog, Hamm, or one of the aliens.
Star Wars: Choose characters from the Star Wars universe, such as Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Darth Vader, Yoda, Han Solo, or Chewbacca. Lightsabers and other fun accessories make these costumes even better after dark.
Ghostbusters: You’ve got your actual Ghostbusters, plus plenty of fun ghosts! If your kids like spooky costumes but aren’t quite ready for characters from scary movies, this one gives you a little bit of Halloween creepiness without being too scary.
Harry Potter: Harry, Ron, Hermione, members of the different Hogwarts houses, Snape, Hagrid, Hedwig (the owl!)—there are so many possibilities here. Add robes, scarves, wands, and round glasses to complete the looks.
Mario: Mario, Luigi, Wario, Princess Peach, Toad, Donkey Kong—even a mushroom! My boys have done Mario and Luigi before, and this is an especially easy theme to expand if more kids want to join the group.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Start with the four Ninja Turtles, then add Splinter, Shredder, April O’Neil, and more. The matching turtle costumes make this one especially cute for four siblings or friends.
Alice in Wonderland: Alice, the Cheshire Cat, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, and White Rabbit give you plenty of options. This would also be a really fun theme if you love making DIY costumes.
Pokémon: No matter how many are in your group, there are plenty of Pokémon characters to go around! Kids can pick their favorite Pokémon, or you can mix Pokémon with trainers. Bonus points for carrying Poké Balls along for trick-or-treating!
Winnie the Pooh: Pooh Bear, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Kanga, Roo, and don’t forget Christopher Robin! Need an extra person? Someone could be a honey pot! This would be particularly adorable for a group with babies and toddlers.
Scooby-Doo: Scooby, Shaggy, Velma, Daphne, and Fred make an instantly recognizable group. Need another costume? Add a ghost or monster for the Mystery Inc. gang to chase!
Trolls: This is a super colorful option with lots of ways to get creative. Pick different Trolls characters or simply create your own with bright outfits and those signature tall, colorful hairstyles.
Paw Patrol: You’ve got at least six pups to pick from, plus a few humans if you need more characters! This is also a good choice for younger kids who already have Paw Patrol dress-up clothes at home.
Superhero Group Costume Ideas
Superheroes: Let each child dress up as their favorite superhero, such as Spider-Man, Batman, Wonder Woman, or Superman. The best part is that everyone gets to pick a character they love without the costumes needing to match exactly.
Avengers: Assemble your own group of Marvel superheroes with Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Captain America, and more. This is another great idea for a larger group because there are so many Marvel characters to choose from.
Cute & Funny Group Costumes
Fruit Salad: Each child can dress up as a different fruit, such as a banana, apple, orange, strawberry, grapes, or watermelon. The more colorful the group, the better! This could be a fun DIY option, too.
Care Bears: Can you think of a cuter group of toddlers than ones dressed as colorful Care Bears? I cannot. Let everyone pick their favorite color and Care Bear belly badge and you’re set.
Oompa Loompas: Hilarious and sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Brown and white clothing, suspenders, green wigs, and some face paint will get you most of the way there.
Box of Crayons: Pretty self-explanatory, but so cute! Everyone can pick their favorite color and dress head-to-toe in that shade. Make simple pointed crayon hats and labels to tie all the costumes together.
Condiments: How about some small bottles of ketchup, mustard, ranch dressing, mayo, and BBQ sauce? This is a funny option for a group and another costume idea that’s pretty easy to DIY with solid-colored clothes.
Animal Group Costume Ideas
Safari Animals: Each child can dress up as a different safari animal, such as a lion, zebra, giraffe, elephant, or monkey. Add a safari guide or zookeeper if you have another person who wants to join in.
Ocean Creatures: Create an underwater world with costumes for fish, sharks, dolphins, jellyfish, octopuses, and mermaids. With so many sea creatures to choose from, this one works especially well for a bigger group.
Dinosaurs: T. rex, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Brontosaurus, and Pterodactyl are just a few options! Let each child pick their favorite dinosaur and you have your own roaming Jurassic Park.
Farm Animals: Animal costumes are super easy to find or make! Think cows, pigs, horses, sheep, chickens, and more. Add a farmer for an easy costume if an adult wants to get in on the fun.
Classic Halloween & Storybook Costumes
Classic Monsters: Go for a spooky Halloween theme with vampires, witches, werewolves, Frankenstein’s monster, mummies, and ghosts. This is perfect for kids who want something scary without needing to recreate characters from actual scary movies.
Classic Children’s Stories: Turn a favorite story into a group costume. Try Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Three Little Pigs and Big Bad Wolf, or Little Red Riding Hood, Grandma, and another chance for that wolf!
More Creative Group Costume Ideas
Circus Performers: Dress up as circus performers like clowns, acrobats, ringmasters, strongmen, and jugglers. Everyone gets a different look while still fitting perfectly into the same theme.
Sports Team: Dress up as athletes from a favorite sport like basketball, soccer, baseball, or hockey. Kids could wear matching jerseys as one team or each represent a different favorite player.
Classic Games: Turn game night into Halloween costumes! Try Monopoly pieces, Guess Who characters, playing cards, chess pieces, or Rock, Paper, Scissors. This is a great idea if you’re looking for something a little different that you aren’t likely to see everywhere else.
And remember, group costumes don’t have to be complicated to be fun. Sometimes the best idea is simply finding a theme everyone likes and letting each kid put their own spin on it. Bonus points if you can put the costumes together with things you already have at home!
Remember to consider the ages and preferences of the kids when choosing the costumes. Have fun and enjoy the group costume experience!
This is a chance for kids to step into the shoes of their favorite characters while also uniting as a group—a great combination of imagination and teamwork.
Whether they’re saving the world as superheroes, exploring enchanted lands, or just embodying their shared interests, group costumes promise a memorable event for everyone involved.