Halloween Alphabet Challenge

By Early Moments

 

As if Halloween isn’t entertaining enough, here’s something new you can do with the kids to get their minds going while having a blast. Consider it the Halloween Challenge! See if your children can come up with a unique costume beginning with every letter of the alphabet . . . yep, from A to Z. You’ll surely be impressed with their answers and you may even find some costume inspiration from all the brainstorming. Here are some easy-to-create costumes (with phonetically relevant descriptor words) for your child—one for every letter from A-Z!

• A is for Awesome Apple

  By Julie Temple Stan

  Your child can become a ripe red apple for Halloween. Perfect for the fall and so easy to make. Have your child wear a big puffy red poncho or oversized red sweatshirt or sweater and red tights or tight fitted pants. Cut a green leaf into a piece of felt and attach to a red beret. Glue a wine cork onto the top of the beret as the stem. Your cutie will be the apple of everyone’s eye!

• B is for Bumble Bee

  By Julie Temple Stan

  See what all the buzz is about when your child is dressed as the cutest bee you’ve ever seen. Use black tights, leggings, or tight fitted pants and black shoes. On top, have him wear a yellow shirt with black stripes or if you can’t find one, cut pieces of duct tape out and stick them on a yellow shirt to make stripes. Find a pair of antennas at a dollar store, or you can glue pipe cleaners to a headband. You can make simple wings by using wire hangers turned to their sides with the hooks to the middle. Fasten black netting inside the triangular portion and safely attach to the back of the shirt, making sure nothing pokes out or in toward your child’s back. Time to collect the honey (or candy in this case)!

• C is for Cuddly Cat

  By Julie Temple Stan

  A black cat is the perfect traditional Halloween costume. Have your child dress from head to toe in all black, preferably with a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. You can surely find cat ears at the costume store or make your own with a black headband and two triangles cut from felt and glued on cardboard for support, then fastened to the headband. Fill one nylon black knee-high sock with cotton balls to make a tail and safety pin to the back of the pants. Paint your child’s nose black and draw on some whiskers. When your child collects lots of goodies, you’ll find out black cats are actually good luck!

• D is for Daring Devil

  By Julie Temple Stan

  While your child’s surely an angel in your eyes, let him go the devilish route for just one day. Dress him in all red and add a red cape for good measure. You can find a pitchfork and horns at any costume store or you can make your own at home. For the horns, use a red headband and cut 2 pointy horns from red felt glued onto cardboard for support. Make a pitchfork by using a long but lightweight stick and cutting the prongs from cardboard covered in red felt or marker. Your child will delight in his evil costume even though he’s a softie at heart.

• E is for Exceptional Egg

  By Julie Temple Stan

  An egg is a simple and humorous costume you can make faster than an omelet! Dress your child in a white sweat suit and glue or stitch a big yellow circle made of felt or an old t-shirt you don’t mind cutting up right in the center of the shirt. For an added touch, have him carry a small toy chick or a fake slab of bacon you can draw onto a piece of poster board. This costume will be an egg-cellent idea and works for all ages.

• F is for Friendly Farmer

  By Julie Temple Stan

  A farmer costume is comfortable and easy to create. Dress your child in a pair of loose-fitting denim overalls and a dingy white t-shirt or plaid button-down underneath. Top off the look with a straw hat and work boots. If your child has long hair, make two low-hanging braids. Instead of milking cows, your little farmer will be collecting treats!

• G is for Ghoulish Ghost

  By Julie Temple Stan

  Boo! A ghost is a classic Halloween costume that’s super-easy to make. Simply use an old white sheet you don’t mind cutting into and make holes for the neck and two arms. Cut the length so nothing drags onto the ground once your child is inside. For added effect, or if your child doesn’t like to wear anything covering his face, drape a long white scarf over your child’s head and tie under her chin. Paint his face in hypo-allergenic white face paint or pale makeup with black shadow around the eyes. When your neighbors see him, they’ll think they’ve seen a ghost!

• H is for Happy Hippie

  By Julie Temple Stan

  A hippie costume is always fun and makes anyone who wears it feel just a little more groovy! Dress your child in bell-bottom jeans, a tie dyed T-shirt, and sandals. Tie a bandana or a flower headband around the forehead and pop on a pair of round shaped sunglasses. Add some accessories like beaded bracelets, fringed necklaces, and peace sign stick on tattoos. It’s flower power all the way to the Halloween party!

• I is for Itsy-Bitsy Insect

  By Julie Temple Stan

  Much like the bee, an insect is another creepy costume you can make at home. Dress your child in black from head to toe, preferably in black tights or leggings and a black fitted turtleneck top. Make antennas with a black headband and black pipe cleaners attached to the top. Glue or stitch felt wings cut into oval shapes to the back of the shirt and you’re ready to crawl from house to house collecting treats!

• J is for Jovial Judge

  By Julie Temple Stan

  No one will disagree with the judge’s decision that a judge costume is a winner. You can find one at any costume store for a low cost or make one yourself. Dress your child in a long black robe. Get a white wig made to look like a judge of the past—long, white, and curled. You can also make one from a long sheet of cotton usually sold at any craft shop. Make sure he carries a toy gavel . . .  just don’t use it to knock on doors while trick or treating!

• K is for Kooky King

  By Julie Temple Stan

  Royalty has never looked so adorable. Let your child be king for the day with an easy-to-put-together costume. Dress him in black from head to toe and cover the look with rich blue or deep red velvet robe. Find an inexpensive crown at the costume store (or get one from that well-known fast food franchise). Pop on some gold costume jewelry, and off goes your child for a special Halloween fit for a king.

• L is for Lovely Ladybug

  By Julie Temple Stan

  Ladybugs are possibly the cutest of the bugs, and your child will be just as sweet in a ladybug costume. Find a red shirt or dress with black polka dots for the base of the look, or make your own with a red shirt or dress with round black spots made from felt glued on. If you opt for the dress, have her wear black tights and if you go for the t-shirt, choose black pants. She can wear a bright red bow or antennas made from a headband and pipe cleaners. You’ll spot her out of the crowd looking just like a pretty ladybug!

• M is for Marvelous Mermaid

  By Julie Temple Stan

  Whether in or out of the sea, a mermaid is always beautiful and makes for a fun costume. Have your child wear a long, shiny skirt and a tank top decorated with shells and beads. Pin some flowers and starfish shapes in her hair and dangle some beads and even a lei around her neck. She’ll be fishing for compliments and treats!

• N is for Notorious Ninja

  By Julie Temple Stan

  For a costume that’s action packed, go for the ninja. Dress your child in loose-fitting pants and a matching top with huge shoulder pads. Tie a thick band around his waist and a thick headband around his head. You can also opt for a snug skull cap. Purchase a plastic (and safe) toy sword at the costume shop and your nifty ninja is set to take on Halloween.

• O is for Outrageous Octopus

  By Julie Temple Stan

  Who wouldn’t want eight arms to stick out for candy on Halloween? An octopus costume is unique and surprisingly easy to make. Dress your child in head to toe gray. Stuff 8 long tube socks with cotton stuffing and attach them to a belt to be fastened around your child’s waist. Glue two big felt googly eyes onto a fitted cap and place on your child’s head. Your tentacled trick-or-treater is now ready to show off his creative look.

• P is for Perfect Pumpkin

  By Julie Temple Stan

  If a pumpkin doesn’t make you think of Halloween, nothing will! A pumpkin costume is great for any age and is so easy to put together. Dress your child in a huge orange t-shirt over orange or black pants. Decorate the shirt with cut-out felt triangles to create eyes and a nose and a half moon for a mouth. This pumpkin is a Jack-o-Lantern for Halloween after all. Top off the look with an orange cap with a felt green leaf glued on top. Your precious pumpkin is ready to roll!

• Q is for Quintessential Queen

  By Julie Temple Stan

  We must have a queen costume to pair with the regal king! Create this look similarly to the king costume listed above, but instead, opt for a long and satiny skirt, faux pearls, costume jewelry, and fancy shoes. Your child will be the Queen of Halloween!

• R is for Rockin’ Robot

  By Julie Temple Stan

  Your child will be the coolest tech-themed trick-or-treater as a robot. Dress her in all gray from head to toe. Take a large cardboard box and remove the flaps on the top and bottom. Cut two holes on the other 2 sides for arm holes. Cover the entire box in aluminum foil and paste on some colorful buttons and switches. Have her slip on the box and top off the look with a shiny silver cap. Time for some hi-tech Halloween fun!

• S is for Strong Superhero

  By Julie Temple Stan

  This one can be switched up depending upon which superhero your child admires the most. No matter the hero, most costumes can have the same basic elements—tights, a fitted bodysuit, cape, and mask. Add the appropriate logo or name on the cape or front chest. Your little superhero is ready to save Halloween!

• T is for Teeny Toga

  By Julie Temple Stan

  A toga costume is so simple to create, yet always looks terrific. Tie a plain white bedsheet around your child and fasten around the top of one shoulder. Tie a plain beige or gold band around her waist and another as a headband. Pop on some plain sandals and fasten some faux leaves in her hair. She’ll look like a Grecian goddess all ready to celebrate the holiday!

• U is for Ultimate Umpire

  By Julie Temple Stan

  Your cutie will be calling the shots as a mini-umpire. Have her wear black pants or shorts and a black-and-white vertically striped shirt. Place a black baseball cap on her head and dangle a whistle around her neck. A pair of black shoes or sneakers complete the look. Now it’s time to collect some sweets!

• V is for Vicious Vampire

  By Julie Temple Stan

  A blood-sucking vampire is sure to spook the kids, but your child will still be a sweetheart on the inside. Dress your child in head to toe black with a red or black vest on top. Cover the look with a long black cape and tie. Spike his hair with some gel and pop some fake fangs in his mouth or draw them on if you prefer. Your neighbors may run for cover, but not until he collects his treats!

• W is for Wacky Witch

  By Julie Temple Stan

  Another classic Halloween look is the wicked witch. This costume always looks polished but is so easy to put together. Dress your child in a black shirt and a long black skirt. Place a wide black belt around her waist and slip on pointy black shoes. Top her off with a pointy witch hat which you can find at any costume shop. If you have a small broom, have her carry it around as she trick or treats. How else would she travel?

• X is for X-treme X-ray

  By Julie Temple Stan

  For the more inventive costume, your child can go as an X-ray. Lots of costume shops carry black costumes with white bones all over to create that skeletal look. If you have the talent, you can paint your own bones onto a black outfit. Paint your child’s face with a safe white face paint or makeup and this simple, yet eye-catching costume is complete, no bones about it!

• Y is for Yawning Yoga Teacher

  By Julie Temple Stan

  This costume couldn’t be more comfortable. Dress your child in stretchy yoga pants and a tank top or ballet top. Tie a cotton sash around her waist and have her slip on lightweight slip-on shoes. A pair of legwarmers can enhance the look while keeping her warm while out and about trick or treating. To help make waiting for the bewitching hour easier, have your little yogi do some deep breathing and a “downward dog.” Hey, it couldn’t hurt!

• Z is for Zig-zagging Zebra

  By Julie Temple Stan

  A black-and-white zebra will look as cute as ever at any Halloween party. If you want to make your own zebra costume, simply cut pieces of black duct tape in various lengths and widths and stick to a white sweat suit to make the stripes. Make a tail by stuffing a white sock with cotton and pin onto the back of the pants. You can find black-and-white ears at the costume shop or make your own by cutting black felt into ovals and gluing onto cardboard for structure. Then attach to a black headband. Your zebra will zip through town looking adorable.