Popular Halloween Costumes for Kids (2026)

Kids costumes fail in three ways. They are too cold, they can’t see out of the mask, or they are too long and trip them on the stairs. The character matters less than you think. A comfortable Batman beats a perfect Buzz who wants to go home after ten houses.

The kids top five this year

Spider-Man is number one again in the NRF survey, around 4.6 million kids. KPop Demon Hunters is the girls’ favourite. Toy Story rides the June film. Batman and princesses never leave the list.

1. 1

   Spider-Man costume (kids)

   $CostumeKids

   Number one kids costume in the US this year, boosted by Brand New Day.

   Check before buying: Mask eye openings. Some licensed masks are hard to see through after dark.

   See options on Amazon
2. 2

   Rumi costume (girls)

   $CostumeKids

   The purple stage outfit is the most recognised of the three. Most kids sets include top, shorts or skirt and leg pieces.

   Check before buying: Whether the braid wig is included. Half the listings sell it separately.

   See options on Amazon
3. 3

   Buzz Lightyear costume (kids)

   $$CostumeKids

   The one every kid asks for. Deluxe versions have wings that pop out.

   Check before buying: Wings attachment. Elastic straps beat velcro on a jacket that moves.

   See options on Amazon
4. 4

   Batman costume (kids)

   $CostumeKids

   Evergreen top-five kids costume. Cape plus mask, done.

   Check before buying: Cape attached at neck only. Velcro neck closures are safer.

   See options on Amazon
5. 5

   Witch costume (girls)

   $CostumeKids

   Pairs with a mum witch costume for an easy matching look.

   Check before buying: Tulle skirts are scratchy. Look for a lining.

   See options on Amazon

Toddlers

Under four, skip masks and headpieces that tie under the chin. Look for a zip at the front and easy diaper access. Ears on a hood beat ears on a headband.

1. 6

   Spider-Man costume (toddler)

   $CostumeToddler

   Toddler cuts skip the full face mask. Good idea.

   Check before buying: Diaper access. Yes, it matters.

   See options on Amazon
2. 7

   Pizza Planet alien (toddler)

   $CostumeToddlerKids

   Smallest family member as the alien is the classic Toy Story group move.

   Check before buying: Headpiece weight. Toddlers pull off anything heavy in minutes.

   See options on Amazon
3. 8

   Grogu costume (baby / pet)

   $CostumeToddlerPets

   Ears and a robe. Works on babies and small dogs alike.

   Check before buying: Ear headband fit. Too tight and it comes off in five minutes.

   See options on Amazon

Beyond the top five

• Mira and Zoey for the friends who did not get Rumi.
• Miles Morales for the kid who wants a Spider-Man nobody else has.
• Wednesday Addams for the kid who refuses anything pink.
• Greek warrior with a shield and helmet. Big hit with eight-to-ten-year-olds after the Odyssey trailers.

1. 9

   Mira costume (girls)

   $CostumeKids

   The tall, red-haired one. Good pick when a friend already called Rumi.

   Check before buying: Fabric on the jacket. Cheap sets use thin satin that wrinkles in the bag.

   See options on Amazon
2. 10

   Miles Morales costume (kids)

   $CostumeKids

   Black-and-red Miles is the second-most requested Spidey suit.

   Check before buying: Muscle padding vs flat suit. Padded is warmer.

   See options on Amazon
3. 11

   Wednesday Addams dress

   $CostumeKidsWomen

   Black dress, white collar, braids. Still a top-ten look.

   Check before buying: Collar quality. It is the whole costume.

   See options on Amazon
4. 12

   Greek / Spartan warrior (kids)

   $CostumeKids

   Kids version usually ships with shield and helmet, which is the point.

   Check before buying: Shield size against the kid’s height. Some are comically large.

   See options on Amazon

Sizing and safety

• Measure height and chest. Ignore the age label, especially on brands that ship from Asia.
• Late October is cold in most of the US and UK. Buy one size up so a hoodie fits underneath.
• Add reflective tape or a glow stick. Dark costumes on dark streets are the real Halloween horror.
• Face paint over masks. They can see, and they can eat the candy.

Kids often love the costume they helped build more than the one from the box. Rainy-afternoon projects in homemade costumes.

For a matching family theme, see group and family costumes.