Sibling Costumes and Parent and Kid Pairs

Sibling costumes and parent and kid costumes are the easiest way to get a great family photo out of Halloween. The trick is picking a pair kids are excited to wear for a whole night of trick or treating, not just five minutes on the porch.

Sibling costumes kids actually like

For siblings, give each kid a clearly different half so nobody feels like the sidekick. These pairs work for toddlers through tweens.

Mom and daughter costumes

Dad and son costumes

How to choose a sibling or parent and kid costume

Start with the youngest child. Babies and toddlers need soft, warm, one piece outfits with no small parts, so the pumpkin, the bee and the dinosaur style onesies are ideal. Older kids care more about who they get to be, so let them pick a character and build the sibling or parent half around it.

With siblings, avoid pairs where one half feels like the sidekick. Peanut butter and jelly or the bee and ladybug are equal halves, so nobody feels left out. If siblings are far apart in age, give the older one the role with more props and the younger one the comfier half.

For parents, keep your half simple. A hat, a shirt and a prop is enough to finish the photo, and you will be the one carrying candy bags, a stroller and somebody's shoes by the end of the night. The farmer, the witch and the astronaut all work over normal clothes and a warm jacket.

Making it work for a family photo

Take your photo before you leave the house, while makeup is fresh and nobody is tired. Stand the kid in front of the parent so the size difference shows off the big and little theme, and have siblings hold hands or a shared prop like a giant bread slice or a treat bag.

Kid safety tips for trick or treating

A costume your kid loves is only great if it is safe to walk around in after dark. Run through this list before you head out.

• Reflective tape

  a few strips on the front, back and treat bag

  Find it
• Glow sticks or a small flashlight

  easy for drivers to spot

  Find it
• Face paint instead of masks

  masks can block vision and breathing

  Find it
• Plastic or foam props only

  swords, wands and tools with soft edges

  Find it

• Hem long costumes. Capes, gowns and onesie legs should stop above the ankle so kids do not trip on stairs.
• Check the label. Look for costumes, wigs and beards labeled flame resistant.
• Patch test makeup. Try face paint on a small area a few days early to check for irritation.
• Pick comfortable shoes. Sneakers beat costume shoes for a long walk.

Sizing and buying tips for family costumes

Kids grow fast, so size up if you are buying early, especially for one piece suits that run short in the torso. Leave room for a warm layer underneath on cold nights. Order matching adult and kid halves at the same time so the colors line up in photos.

Want more pair ideas? See cute duo costumes for sweet looks, easy DIY duo costumes if you want to make them at home, or scary duo costumes for a spooky family look that stays kid friendly.

On timing, do a full try on the weekend before Halloween. Have each kid wear the costume for half an hour, walk up and down stairs, and sit in the car seat. Anything that itches, pinches or slips will show up then, while there is still time to swap a size or add a soft layer. A kid who is comfortable at home will still be smiling at the last house on the block.

For big families, the same rule scales up: pick a theme and give each child a clearly different role inside it. Food, farm animals, bugs and outer space all stretch to three or four kids without anyone feeling like a copy.

Shop sibling and family costumes