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As a child, I loved unique, homemade Halloween costumes. My favorite was the robot costume made out of a refrigerator box and a lot of tin foil, even though it was so unwieldy that I tripped while trick or treating.

When I became a mom, I looked forward to continuing that tradition. However, my oldest son has autism and quite a few sensory challenges. He could not stand most costumes.

For children with autism and/or sensory sensitivities, it may seem like they have to sit out Halloween traditions like costume contests and trick or treating. But with a little bit of sensitivity and creativity, they can have Halloween fun without sacrificing comfort.

To ensure that all children can enjoy the festivities, here are some ideas for sensory-friendly Halloween costumes:

Consider the Fabric:

  • Soft materials: Choose costumes made from soft, comfortable fabrics like cotton or fleece. Avoid scratchy materials like wool or polyester.
  • Loose-fitting: Opt for costumes that are loose-fitting and don’t restrict movement. Tight-fitting costumes can be uncomfortable and overwhelming for children with sensory sensitivities.
A child in an orange costume and a wizard hat for Halloween.

Simple costumes are often best for children with sensory sensitivities.

Minimize Sensory Overload:

  • Simple designs: Keep the costume design simple and avoid excessive decorations or accessories that can be overwhelming.
  • Muted colors: Choose costumes with muted colors rather than bright, flashy hues that can be visually stimulating.
  • Quiet accessories: If your child is sensitive to noise, avoid costumes with loud or noisy accessories.

DIY Options:

  • Make your own: Creating a costume at home can allow you to tailor it to your child’s specific needs and preferences.
  • Reuse old clothes: Repurpose items you already have in your closet to create a simple and comfortable costume.
  • Try a base layer: Some soft long johns, leggings or t-shirts can help make costumes more comfortable.

Sensory-Friendly Costume Ideas:

  • Animal costumes: Many animal costumes are made from soft fabrics and are simple in design.
  • Character costumes: Popular characters like superheroes or cartoon characters often have costumes that are easy to wear and comfortable. My son’s favorite costume was Steve from Blue’s Clues–this really just involved a green-striped shirt, khaki pants and a red notebook. He would spend quite a bit of time staring at himself in the mirror in amazement.
  • Everyday objects: Dress your child up as a favorite toy, food item, or everyday object. This can be a fun and creative way to create a sensory-friendly costume. One year, my other son requested to be a stop sign for Halloween. I admit that I was stumped at first, but he loved getting to dress as one of his favorite objects.
  • Pajamas: There are so many pajamas that are super comfy while doubling as costumes. One son once wore skeleton pajamas for Halloween and loved them so much that he wore them all year.
  • Onesies for the win: These weren’t really a thing when my son was young, but now there are so many options of comfy character-themed onesies that make great costumes.
A group of adults wearing costume onesies.

Our IT department wearing comfy onesies for Halloween.

Additional Tips:

  • Practice wearing the costume: Allow your child to wear the costume at home before Halloween to get used to the feel and look.
  • Don’t be rigid about the costume: My son loved wearing his Batman costume once we realized that it was the mask that was bothering him. And so, even though Batman iconically wears a mask, we ditched it.  Other costumes might traditionally have tights, but those are also often extremely uncomfortable for children with sensory issues.
  • Have a back-up costume: All three of my children have had some sensory issues, and we’ve discovered that having a Plan B makes the difference between a miserable Halloween and a happy one.
  • Bring a comfort item: If your child has a favorite comfort item, let them bring it along on Halloween night.
  • Plan for breaks: If your child becomes overwhelmed or anxious, take breaks to allow them to calm down and recharge.
Kids trick or treat in Halloween costume. Children in colorful dress up with candy bucket on suburban street. Little boy and girl trick or treating with pumpkin lantern. Autumn holiday fun.

Skeleton pajamas make a cute costume.