For older kids, build it: brown clothes or a bear onesie with a brown bear-ears headband.
Corduroy
DIY
The whole story turns on one missing button, and so does the costume.
Sizes: Babies & Toddlers
DIY it:Brown clothes or a bear onesie under green overalls, with round bear ears. Leave one overall button conspicuously undone, the way Corduroy spends the book missing his.
Curious George
Shop
The mischievous little monkey. The ready-made Curious George costumes cover the baby-and-toddler set, where a full-body monkey suit is easiest; bigger kids turn George into a DIY.
The licensed monkey, for the littlest ones: a brown velour jumpsuit with George's hood. Officially licensed, and made for babies and toddlers (roughly 6 months to 2T).
Beyond that sizing, build it from brown sweats and a monkey hood.
Rubie's take on Ian Falconer's character, and the only ready-made Olivia we found. It fits best on one- to two-year-olds. Sold by Toynk Toys, shipped by Amazon.
A licensed onesie, not a full costume: a hooded zip-up fleece with Peter printed across the chest, closer to character-themed loungewear than a character costume.
Officially licensed Beatrix Potter, in sizes toddler to about 5.
The fleece makes it soft and warm. Sold by Vanilla Underground, shipped by Amazon.
It runs baby-and-toddler only, in 6–12 months, 12–18 months, and 2T.
For older kids, build it: a green top and leggings, a red beanie for the face, and pipe-cleaner antennae.
Where the Wild Things Are
Shop
Max's wolf suit from Maurice Sendak's classic: the white onesie with a crown and a tail. The one ready-made is a toddler costume, so bigger kids will build it.
It's the only ready-made Max we found, and it runs toddler-sized. For older kids, build it: white footie pajamas or a hoodie, a felt tail, and a gold paper crown.
Amelia Bedelia
DIY
Amelia Bedelia takes every instruction literally, right down to dusting with actual dust.
Sizes: Kids
DIY it:A black dress with a white apron and a frilly flowered hat. Carry a to-do list, or a pie, for the punchline.
Berenstain Bears
DIY
A ready-made family group: one bear clan, each member pinned to a single signature piece.
Sizes: Kids
DIY it:
Bear ears for everyone, then split the roles:
Papa in overalls and a plaid hat
Mama in a blue dress and a dotted mob cap
Brother in a blue shirt
Sister in a pink jumper
Captain Underpants
Shop
Captain Underpants is peak elementary-school comedy: a red cape, a bald head, and briefs over the clothes. The licensed suit plays it as a proper superhero jumpsuit.
Clifford comes in one design, so the choice is sizing, not styling. We found no other licensed version worth a separate look.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
DIY
Greg Heffley is drawn in barely four lines. The outfit is every bit as plain.
Sizes: Kids
DIY it:
A plain white short-sleeve tee
dark shorts
sneakers
With hair pushed into the two-tuft look. Carry the journal for the reveal.
Dog Man
Shop
Half police officer, half dog: floppy ears, a vinyl snout, and a police jumpsuit. Dav Pilkey's book hero hit the movie screen in 2025, so it's instantly recognizable to any elementary-schooler.
The only complete, licensed Dog Man: the $49.99 Deluxe puts the jumpsuit and headpiece in one box, with sewn-in plush ears and a vinyl bill. Officially licensed Disguise.
Target$34.99Budget, hoodie onlyLicensed Bioworld zip-up hoodie with the Dog Man emblem and a 3D cap-and-ears hood. The cheaper route, and a piece of the look: no jumpsuit, no headpiece.See it at Target →
All pleats and messy hair, the Plaza Hotel's smallest resident runs the place.
Sizes: Kids
DIY it:
A black pleated skirt
a white top with suspenders
white ankle socks
With hair pulled into a messy topknot. A little stuffed pug stands in for Weenie.
Fancy Nancy
Shop
Jane O'Connor's Fancy Nancy is all flourish: a glittery tutu dress, striped leggings, and a bow in her hair. The ready-made set nails her signature sparkle.
HalloweenCostumes.com doesn't carry Fancy Nancy, so this Disney set is the cleanest ready-made.
To build it, layer a bright tutu over striped leggings and add a costume necklace and a bow.
Junie B. Jones
DIY
Loud, funny, and forever in mismatched clothes, Junie B. Jones is the easiest closet grab here.
Sizes: Kids
DIY it:
A colorful tee
a skirt or overalls
sneakers
With hair in pigtails. Add round glasses and a backpack and you're basically there.
Madeline
DIY
Madeline's wide yellow hat gives this one away while the remaining pieces complement it.
Sizes: Kids
DIY it:
A blue dress or coat
white gloves
a wide yellow hat with a black ribbon
A navy bow finishes it.
Matilda
DIY
The blue dress, red ribbon, and stack of library books are all it takes for Matilda.
Sizes: Kids
DIY it:
A plain blue A-line dress over a white top
a red hair ribbon
white socks
black shoes
Carry a stack of books to seal it.
Nancy Drew
DIY
The teenage sleuth is more attitude than outfit; the magnifying glass does the talking.
Sizes: Kids
DIY it:A tidy blouse or sweater with a skirt or trousers and a trench coat or cardigan. Carry a magnifying glass and a small notebook, and you can tell she's a detective right away.
Paddington
Shop
Paddington is one of the most recognizable book looks around. The blue duffle coat, floppy red hat, suitcase, and paper tag reading "Please look after this bear" pull it together.
No-buy version: any blue coat stands in for the duffle, with a red bucket hat, a toy suitcase, and a paper tag; add round bear ears for the little ones.
Pete the Cat
Shop
The mellow blue cat in red high-tops is a preschool-classroom regular. The licensed suit does the blue-fur-and-whiskers work a closet build can't easily fake.
Two red braids wired to stick straight out settle who she is before anyone notices the mismatched socks.
Sizes: Kids
DIY it:
An oversized or patchwork dress
one brown knee-high sock and one striped
shoes several sizes too big
Wire the braids so they stand straight out, and dot on freckles.
Thing 1 & Thing 2
Shop
Thing 1 and Thing 2 are the Cat in the Hat's blue-haired troublemakers in red jumpsuits. One costume comes ready to be either; grab two for the classic pair.
One suit, either Thing: a red faux-fur jumpsuit that comes with both the felt '1' and '2' patches and the blue Thing wig, so it works solo or as a set.
Officially licensed, sizes S–XL. For the classic pair, buy two.
Spirit Halloween$44.99Prefer a dressA red dress with a blue fuzzy hood and matching striped socks, with both patches so it goes as Thing 1 or Thing 2. The dress cut instead of the jumpsuit; adult sizes S–XL.See it at Spirit Halloween →
Spirit Halloween$49.99The retro lookA red bell-bottom jumpsuit with a headband of bright blue poms and both patches, long sleeves and a full zip. The grown-up, groovier take for the other half of the pair; adult sizes S–XL.See it at Spirit Halloween →
HalloweenCostumes.com$14.99On a budgetJust the blue Thing wig, the piece that sells the look. Add your own red clothes and pin on a paper '1' or '2'. Adult-sized with an adjustable band. It's not returnable once you open the package, so treat it as a final purchase.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Winnie the Pooh
Shop
The red crop tee over a round golden body makes Pooh unmistakable, and the rest of the Hundred Acre Wood — Eeyore, Tigger, Piglet — has its own spot below for a family or group.
HalloweenCostumes.com$29.99–$59.99The comfy versionA sherpa-fleece Pooh onesie instead of the padded suit: a hooded zip jumpsuit with soft ears, an embroidered face, and a little tail. Cheaper, but it drops the padding that gives Pooh his round shape, and the mitts and shoe covers. Adult S–XL.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Piglet
Shop
Pooh's smallest, most nervous friend, unmistakable in pink. Piglet works best next to a Pooh, but the ready-made suit stands on its own.
Spirit Halloween$44.99Prefer a dressSpirit's Piglet is a hooded pink dress instead of the full jumpsuit, ears on the hood. The dress cut for a lighter, cooler take; adult sizes XS–XL.See it at Spirit Halloween →
Tigger
Shop
The bouncing orange tiger, all stripes and coiled-spring energy. Tigger's the high-energy foil to a gloomy Eeyore in a Pooh-and-friends group.
Soft-fleece Tigger with a bendable tail: a hooded jumpsuit with stitched-on stripes and an embroidered face, plus a wire tail you can bend into Tigger's spring.
Officially licensed Disney. Adult sizes XS–XL, and the same striped fleece comes in kids' sizes.
Spirit Halloween$44.99Prefer a dressSpirit's Tigger is a hooded skater dress instead of the jumpsuit, striped orange with long sleeves. The dress cut for a lighter take; adult sizes XS–2X.See it at Spirit Halloween →
Eeyore
Shop
The gloomy gray donkey with the pinned-on pink bow, forever expecting the worst. The licensed suit gets his droopy, sad-eyed hood right.
HalloweenCostumes.com$12.99On a budgetJust the Eeyore kit: a gray-ear headband and a strap-on tail to add to gray clothes you already own.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Cat in the Hat
Shop
Dr. Seuss's distinguished troublemaker: the tall red-and-white stovepipe hat, the red bow tie, the white-gloved paws. Nail the hat and the costume's all but done.
a black velour jumpsuit with a faux-fur white belly
the foam-backed red bow tie
a sewn-on tail
the striped stovepipe hat (its lining hides a pocket for a phone or keys)
the white gloves
Officially licensed, sizes XS–XL with tall options. The one that arrives as the whole look, not a starting point.
Looking for kids' sizes? The same Cat comes in kids' and toddler versions on HalloweenCostumes.com.
Save or splurge
The jumpsuit is the sweet spot: the whole look in a box. The tee-and-hat kit saves if you add your own pants; the plush mascot goes all out. Most want the jumpsuit.
Spirit Halloween$44.99Prefer a dressA black-and-white skater dress with the Cat's red tie, worn with a mini-top-hat headband and red-and-white striped socks. The dress cut instead of the jumpsuit; adult sizes S–XL.See it at Spirit Halloween →
Spirit Halloween$29.99On a budgetThe kit route: a black tee with the printed white-fur front and an attached red bow, plus the striped hat. You supply the pants and shoes. Adult sizes M–XL.See it at Spirit Halloween →
Spirit Halloween$69.99Go all outThe full plush mascot: a padded jumpsuit with a big-head cat mask and gloves, the bow and hat built in. The splurge if you want the whole character; sizes S/M–XXL.See it at Spirit Halloween →
Green Eggs & Ham
Shop
Dr. Seuss's Sam-I-Am and his infamous plate. The prop does as much work as the outfit.
HalloweenCostumes.com$34.99Be the foodSkip the character and become the meal: a sandwich board of two foam panels, a sunny-side-up green egg and a slice of ham, worn over your own black clothes. Officially licensed Dr. Seuss, one size, with 27-inch panels that hang to about mid-thigh on an adult.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
HalloweenCostumes.com$19.99On a budgetThe kit route: just the red hat, the faux-fur collar, and the felt plate of green eggs and ham. You supply a yellow top and pants. One size fits adults or kids.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Miss Frizzle
Shop
No teacher commits to a theme like Miss Frizzle, whose dress always matches the day's lesson.
Plus sizes come on their own separate listing at $49.99, and no kids' version exists, so a child Miss Frizzle is a build.
Add a curly red-orange wig and a toy lizard on your shoulder for Liz to finish it.
Strega Nona
DIY
A headscarf, a shawl, and one all-important pasta pot make the kindly old grandma witch.
Sizes: Adults
DIY it:
A long skirt
an apron
a shawl
With a headscarf over grey hair. Carry a pot for the magic pasta, the detail that lands it.
Where's Waldo
Shop
Waldo is three pieces and a lot of stripes: the red-and-white striped shirt and bobble hat, plus the round glasses. One of the most DIY-friendly costumes here, and you also can buy it ready-to-wear.
HalloweenCostumes.com$49.99For WendaWaldo's counterpart Wenda, a striped dress with the built-in blue skirt, plus the hat and glasses. For a paired look or the women's take; sizes S–XL.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Willy Wonka
Shop
The 1971 Gene Wilder Wonka is the one people picture: a purple tailcoat, a gold-buttoned waistcoat, and a brown top hat. Adults reach for it as often as kids.
AmazonSee current price at AmazonThe 2023 movieRubie's take on the 2023 Wonka film: the coat, vest, pants, scarf, and top hat together, a fuller and more current look than the classic. Officially licensed, adult sizes S–XL.See it at Amazon →
Spirit Halloween$59.99Prefer a dressSpirit's licensed women's take: a purple coat-dress with a built-in floral blouse and a mini top hat. The dress cut instead of the tailcoat; adult sizes XS–2X.See it at Spirit Halloween →
The light-blue dress, white pinafore, and black hair bow make Alice the most recognizable storybook look on this list, and it works as easily on an adult as on a child.
The licensed Disney gown, collar and crown included: the red-and-black heart bodice over a black-and-yellow chevron skirt, with the white stand-up collar and a gold crown.
Officially licensed Disney (Alice in Wonderland), so the color blocking matches the film rather than the generic playing-card dress.
A splurge, in adult sizes S–XL, sold and shipped by Amazon. The bodice is fitted, so size it against the chart rather than your usual.
For a child, the same gown comes as the girl's Deluxe Disney Queen of Hearts at HalloweenCostumes.com, $69.99.
A wig isn't included, so add an orange one; sizes small to 2X. For a child, the kids' Wacky Mad Hatter carries the same oversized-hat silhouette at $39.99.
HalloweenCostumes.com$59.99On a budgetA maroon frock-coat Mad Hatter with plaid pants, a bow tie, and a top hat, for twenty dollars less. HalloweenCostumes.com buyers flag it as running small, so size up. Men's XS–XL.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Cheshire Cat
Shop
The grinning pink-and-purple striped cat who fades in and out; Wonderland's most recognizable character after Alice herself, and it runs from infant up.
a double-sided cuddle-fleece jumpsuit with a fiber-filled tail
the whiskered headpiece with padded ears
clawed gloves and shoe covers
Officially licensed Disney. Treat it as licensed rather than crowd-tested; sizes small to X-Large.
Save or splurge
The minky onesie is the value route, and it still looks like Cheshire on its own. Step up to the Disney suit for the headpiece, gloves, and shoe covers the onesie skips.
HalloweenCostumes.com$49.99The comfy versionA minky cat onesie instead of the full suit, hooded with plush ears and a stuffed tail. Cheaper, and fewer pieces: no gloves, no shoe covers. Adult XS–XL.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
HalloweenCostumes.com$69.99Prefer a dressA hooded three-quarter-sleeve skater dress with furry ears, a pink tail, and paw gloves. The dress cut instead of the jumpsuit, women's S–XL.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
HalloweenCostumes.com$49.99For the littlest onesThe infant Curious Cheshire Cat, a striped faux-fur hooded jumpsuit with gloves and booties and diaper snaps. Sizes 0/3 months to 12/18 months.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
White Rabbit
Shop
"I'm late!" — the waistcoated rabbit with the pocket watch and the tall ears, forever hurrying Alice down the hole.
HalloweenCostumes.com$39.99For the littlest onesThe infant Little White Rabbit, a green velour tailcoat with a gingham bow and a hood with a soft-sculpted muzzle and ears. Sizes 0/3 months to 12/18 months.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Harry Potter
Shop
Round glasses, a lightning scar, and the Gryffindor robe: the boy wizard is three details over a school uniform.
HalloweenCostumes.com$59.99Just the robeThe adult Deluxe Gryffindor robe on its own, hooded black with a satin maroon lining and the embroidered crest. No jumpsuit, so add the tie and wand yourself. Adult XS–L, and it runs small, so size up.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
HalloweenCostumes.com$39.99Another houseThe same deluxe robe in Slytherin green (Draco's house), with Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff also available. Swap the crest for whichever house you're sorting into.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Hermione Granger
Shop
The brightest witch of her age, in the full Hogwarts uniform with bushy hair and a book never far from reach.
The whole schoolgirl look in one box. Officially licensed.
Fair warning from HalloweenCostumes.com buyers: sizing runs uneven (the skirt small, the robe roomy), so check the chart. Add a bushy wig and a wand; sizes XS–XL.
For a child, the girls' Deluxe Hermione carries the same full uniform.
HalloweenCostumes.com$29.99The licensed centerpiece, budget accessoriesThe basic licensed Hogwarts robe (Gryffindor patch, four house emblems included). Add your own shirt, gray skirt, tie, and a bushy wig. The robe is the piece that makes her Hermione.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Voldemort
Shop
The Dark Lord himself: the noseless, snake-pale face and the flowing black robes. The mask carries the whole costume.
A wizard hat that stands up instead of flopping over: the silver embroidered robe with a shawl-collar jacket and the matching foam-backed hat, officially licensed.
The foam backing is the detail worth paying for: a soft wizard hat folds over at the point and turns into a witch's, where this one holds its cone.
A mid-priced buy, sold and shipped by Amazon.
It's the robe and hat only, so add a wig, beard, half-moon glasses, and a wand; adult sizes XL–XXL, so it runs large.
Spirit Halloween$59.99The licensed version, for lessSpirit's officially licensed Bellatrix — a hooded dress, a waist cincher with wand holster, and the wand — for $40 under the Deluxe pick.See it at Spirit Halloween →
Luna Lovegood
Shop
Ravenclaw's dreamiest resident, forever reading the Quibbler upside down. The playful prints and radish earrings give her away.
HalloweenCostumes.com$39.99The licensed centerpiece, budget accessoriesThe Deluxe Ravenclaw robe alone, Luna's house. Add Spectrespecs and radish earrings: the cheap tells that make her Luna, for under half the set.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Dobby
DIY
The free house-elf: tennis-ball eyes, batty ears, and a pillowcase for clothes. The most DIY-friendly look here, since nobody sells the pillowcase.
Sizes: Kids, Adults
DIY it:
A pillowcase worn as a toga (Dobby's only clothing until Harry frees him)
big pointed ears
bare feet
Carry a single sock in one hand for the freeing scene. Elope makes a licensed pair of Dobby ears if you'd rather not craft them.
The Lorax
Shop
The mustachioed orange guardian who speaks for the trees. One of the most recognizable silhouettes Dr. Seuss ever drew.
a pull-on headpiece with embroidered eyes and the long yellow mustache
matching hand and shoe covers
Officially licensed Dr. Seuss, in adult sizes S–XL.
The covers are what separate this from an orange jumpsuit with a wig: they carry the color to the ends, so nothing breaks the shape at the wrists and ankles.
It's cut from polyester with recycled content, which is a fitting material for the character who speaks for the trees.
HalloweenCostumes.com makes this costume and sells it here through its own storefront, so it's the same seller on either route.
It's a jumpsuit you have to size, so check the chart before you order.
The same Lorax comes in kids', a girls' dress, and toddler and infant onesies.
It's the most complete classic version on the site.
The tale is public-domain folklore, so these are generic designs rather than licensed ones; the same storybook look runs about $15 to $40 in kids' and toddler sizes.
HalloweenCostumes.com$39.99CheapestA generic green-dress Tink at under half the price, if the official Disney label isn't the point.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Captain Hook
Shop
Neverland's foppish villain: the crimson coat, the curls, and the hook that lost an argument with a crocodile.
HalloweenCostumes.com$49.99The disguiseA Big Bad Granny Wolf: the wolf in Grandma's clothes, the story's big reveal, and cheaper than the full fursuit.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Little Bo Peep
Shop
The shepherdess who lost her sheep: pastel ruffles, a poke bonnet, and a crook.
HalloweenCostumes.com$39.99Her flockA woolly sheep costume for a child or partner: the sheep Bo Peep spends the whole rhyme looking for. It comes in adult sizes too.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Glinda
Shop
Glinda arrives by bubble in a pink gown, a silver crown, and a wand. Since Wicked, two versions of her share the name, and either way it is the crown and the wand that people recognize. What comes in the box decides this pick.
HalloweenCostumes.com$79.99The 1939 gownThe film's original Glinda instead of the Wicked dress: pink satin under glittered mesh, leg-o'-mutton sleeves, a built-in petticoat, and the tall silver crown. Officially licensed and made in-house. The bodice is cut close; measure against the size chart before ordering. Doesn't include the wand.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Dorothy
Shop
Blue gingham, two braids, a basket, and the ruby slippers. Every version here ships the dress and the hair bows, so the shoes and the basket are always yours to find.
HalloweenCostumes.com$39.99The cheaper ginghamA different licensed dress at a lower list price: lace-up bodice, red underskirt, a satin apron sewn on, and two sequinned hair bows. The licensing is its whole credential. The small size was unavailable at last check.See it at HalloweenCostumes.com →
Elphaba
Shop
The green witch from Wicked, in the pointed hat and the high-collared dress. Most of the searching for this one is for children's sizes, so that is where it starts.
Spirit Halloween$59.99The maxi-dress versionSpirit's grown-up Elphaba is the fuller silhouette: a leg-of-mutton sleeve maxi dress, a billowing cape, the pointed hat, and a matching crossbody bag. Officially licensed, small through 2X.See it at Spirit Halloween →
Every pick here is the one we’d actually buy. Prices were checked live in July 2026; where a costume links to a full guide, follow it for sizing, per-retailer reviews, and the closet-build version.
Guide freshness date: July 27, 2026 · Price freshness date: September 3, 2026.
Stores set their own prices and may change them — the “See it at” links go to the live listing.
Know before it’s too late to order
We name the pick. The list tells you when it stops being possible to get it in time. Get the printable order-by calendar — the last safe day to order at every major store, on one sheet — then the confirmed dates and a couple of reminders as the deadlines hit each October.
Check your inbox. We’ve sent a confirmation link. Click it to get the confirmed dates and our
costume picks all season.
Double opt-in for the newsletter — you’ll confirm by email. No spam, unsubscribe
anytime. See our privacy policy.
With JavaScript off, this opens a confirmation page in a new tab.