Since Peppa is so popular, here’s a DIY Peppa Pig costume idea that we came up with. You actually probably already have a lot of the required pieces around your house, too. Keep on reading past the graphic to get the full details about this DIY costume tutorial.

The basis of this Peppa Pig outfit is Peppa’s dress. To make your own, combine any red top, jumper, or hoodie that your child already has with a red children’s tutu. Pink or white tights match with the look nicely.

Then, of course, your little piglet will need a few accessories to look just like Peppa. This pig accessory kit includes all of the essentials, one size fits all. A pig ear headband, a pig nose with elastic band, and a squiggly pig tail will turn any little girl into their favorite pig. To make Peppa’s pink cheek circles, just use some pink Halloween face paint. This pink Halloween makeup tube is the perfect shade. Be sure to keep the other colors handy for a future costume!

As for shoes, any pair of shoes that your daughter already owns will do. Use her everyday sneakers to make walking around for trick or treat more comfortable, or make everything extra special some pig-pink and sparkly ballerina shoes.

You can also always combine any of the DIY costume ideas we’ve shared in this post with a kids’ piglet costume to make it look more like Peppa. Then, you can even make Peppa’s whole family – Mummy, Daddy, and brother George – for the cutest family Halloween costume ever! Just use different colors for everyone (George wears blue, Mummy Pig wears peach, and Daddy Pig wears aqua) and the same pig accessories, and you’re all set. Daddy Pig wears glasses, too.

Here’s our take on this DIY Peppa Pig costume idea:

There’s the finished costume look! If you liked this post and want to see more like it, then tell us what kind of costume ideas we should show off next. Leave a comment below, or on the Costume Express Facebook and Twitter pages. Check us out on Pinterest for more great costume ideas for kids, too.

Shop all costumes for kids on Costume Express.

Peppa Pig is ©Astley Baker Davies

The post How to Make a DIY Peppa Pig Costume appeared first on Halloween Costume Ideas and Tips for Kids.

Begin painting with blue, green, and purple face paint. Elsa made her own split cake for this purpose, but three separate solid colors will work too. Use these colors to create triangular wedge shape above the left eye – this will be the wing and body of the peacock.

Take a dark purple shade of face paint and add a circle for the peacock’s head. Connect it down to the inner corner of the same eye.

With a 1 inch wide brush, create three tear drop shapes with blue and green paint from the split cake, on the left cheek and falling away from the body of the peacock. These are going to serve as the peacock’s tail feathers.

Outline the tail feather shapes with the same color of purple paint used earlier. Use the same color to also add tear drop outlines to further define the shape of the peacock wing.

Make a final outline of the tail feathers with black face paint to make them really stand out. Use black to outline the neck and head of the peacock. End the stroke with a swirl for the peacock’s face, and add a small triangular shape for the beak.

Add some long black tear drop shapes around the wing and body of the peacock.

Add some detail around the head and tail feathers with light black fringe strokes.

Complete the tail feathers by adding a black dot to the center of each one, and add tear drop shapes to connect them to the peacock body. Apply a white dot of paint right next to the black dots.

Highlight the black tear drops around the peacock body and wing with smaller tear drops of white paint.

White dots placed all around the face paint provide a twinkling effect.

Paint the lips with the purple used earlier, and apply a purple glitter on top. Use the same purple glitter on top of the peacock head.

Add purple, blue, and green glitters to the purple, blue, and green parts of the peacock wing and body, respectively. Use the same green for the tail feathers.

The peacock face paint is now complete! This design can be adapted for adults as well as children.

About Elsa:

Elsa Rhae Pageler is a freelance video editor and producer, makeup artist, and face painter. To check out the rest of her impressive catalog of work, and get more face paint ideas, view her profiles on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. More exclusive makeup and face paint videos are coming from Elsa in the future, so stay tuned! We’ll be posting them all right here.

What did you think of Elsa’s peacock face paint design? How are you going to be dressing up for Halloween this year? What kind of Halloween costume ideas should we come up with next? Let us know your thoughts by Tweeting us @CostumeExpress!

 Video in this post produced by Elsa Rhae Pageler. Originally posted on BuyCostumes.

The post Peacock Face Painting Tutorial appeared first on Halloween Costume Ideas and Tips for Kids.

This tiger tail costume accessory and this cute felt tiger hat form the basis of our Daniel Tiger costume, but there’s more to it than that. Keep on reading for the step-by-step how-tos of how to create this costume look for your child!

Step 1: Daniel Tiger’s Outfit

Daniel Tiger wears a red zipper hoodie and matching red sneakers, both of which are easy enough to find – your child might even have them already. Otherwise, the thrift store is a great place to go. In a pinch, thrifted sneakers can be spray-painted red (remember to remove the shoe laces first) to get the look.

Step 2: Daniel Tiger’s Fur

To mimic the look of Daniel Tiger’s orange tiger fur, we used a pair of orange pants. A more golden yellow or yellow-orange color will also work, but we chose to use a darker orange color to match our tiger hat and tiger tail. If a pair of orange pants in your child’s size is nowhere to be found, you can always thrift a pair of white or gray ones and use a fabric dye, such as Rit, to get the appropriate color (your results may vary, brand-to-brand).

You can even use the bottoms of a tiger costume. Not only are they already striped, which eliminates the need for the next step, but they’re fuzzy and furry, too!

Step 3: Making Daniel’s Stripes

We used black craft felt for Daniel’s tiger stripes, although you could also use some construction paper or scrap fabric if it’s handy. Colors like brown and burnt orange work just as well for this step. Just make sure that whichever color you decide to use is noticeable against the color of the pants you’re using.

Daniel Tiger has two fat tiger strips just below each knee, so you’ll need four pieces of your material. We suggest starting with a long rectangle, about the length of your child’s leg and about two inches wide, and tapering off the ends as you see fit.

To easily make all your stripes the same size and shape, cut one stripe and hold it up your child where you will want it to go, to make sure that it will fit correctly. From there, you can make adjustments to the shape until you get the look you want. Then, use that stripe as a template to cut the other three.

Step 4: Attaching the Stripes

If you want to be able to remove the tiger stripes from the pants later, you can use a few loops of masking tape or safety pins to easily attach the stripes. Your local craft store might even have craft felt with a self-adhesive backing, which will work even better. Just be careful to test adhesives on an inconspicuous part of the fabric first, to make sure that it will be removable without leaving residue.

Otherwise, if this is a just a quick one-off costume for Halloween, a birthday party, or another special event, then hot glue or double-sided fabric tape will hold the stripes in place wonderfully.

What did you think of this D.I.Y. Daniel Tiger costume idea? If you liked this post and want to see more like it, then tell us what kind of costume ideas we should show off next. Leave a comment below, or on the Costume Express Facebook and Twitter pages. Visit us on Pinterest for more great costume ideas for kids, too.

Shop CostumeExpress.com to find items used in this D.I.Y. Daniel Tiger costume idea:

• Felt Tiger Hat
• Tiger Tail and Accessories
• Tiger Costume for Kids (optional, in place of orange pants)

Or, browse Costume Express’ entire selection of animal costumes for kids. Also, our friends at Birthday Express have tons of amazing Daniel Tiger party ideas and free Daniel Tiger printables on their blog. Click those links to check them out!

The post D.I.Y. Daniel Tiger Costume Tutorial appeared first on Halloween Costume Ideas and Tips for Kids.

Here’s a treasure trove of pirate costumes and costume ideas that we’ve dug up, along with a few pirate dress-up activities and games to boot.

Pirate Costumes for Kids

Our favorite thing about pirate costumes is that they’re a great dress-up theme for boys and girls alike. This pirate dress-up kit is the perfect example, since it includes all sorts of pirate costume pieces and accessories. A pirate bandana, vest, and waist sash are all in the pack, along with a hook, telescope, and cutlass. It’s an easy pirate costume that any child will love.

Of course, pirate captains and crew can get even more detailed costume looks, too. This brave buccaneer and fierce first mate are just two options for authentic pirate costumes. Each one recreates the kind of clothes that real-life pirates wore hundreds of years ago: lots of striped patterns, puffy pirate shirts, and faux-leather features.

Pirate queens were just as ruthless back then, too (and if anyone ever says that girls can’t be pirates, simply reply that Anne Bonny and Mary Read were two of the greatest pirates ever). This girls’ pirate costume, with cute boot covers (they make dress-up with littler kids a lot easier!) and a striped skirt, is great for toddlers. Here’s a posh pirate that takes all the classic elements of a pirate costume, and adds just a little bit of more feminine flair. Trendy tweens and teens may prefer this costume, which is meant for accessorizing with tights and pirate boots.

Pirate Accessories, Costume Jewelry, and Riches Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

Maybe that third part is a bit of an exaggeration, but every pirate needs to look the part – and, naturally, part of that includes gold coins and shining jewels. Once your first mates have chosen which type of pirate to be, they’ll need a couple of extra items to complete their costumes.

First of all, every proper pirate needs to have a pirate hat, a pirate hook, and an eye patch. Pirates can’t be expected to defend their ships (or take over other ones) without weapons, either. A pistol and cutlass ought to do the trick. Finally, pirates simply wouldn’t be pirates without all sorts of pirate booty. Gold coins, gold earrings and other faux jewelry can be worn or locked safely in a treasure chest.

Pirates of the Caribbean Costumes

Since the first Pirates movie, The Curse of the Black Pearl, came out in 2003, Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew have swashed and buckled their way through three more films and created one of the most popular Disney series around. The fifth Pirates of the Caribbean movie, Dead Men Tell No Tales, is currently in the works and set to come out in 2017.

Pirates of the Caribbean costumes are just as popular as the movies are, too. Let your child dress up like Jack or Angelica from On Stranger Tides, and get the perfect accessories to complete the look. Take up your trusty sword and pistol, and set sail to discover the Fountain of Youth.

Jake and the Never Land Pirates Costumes

Based on Peter Pan, Disney’s Jake and the Never Land Pirates is another show that’s really caught on in recent years, especially with younger kids. Jake and his best friend Izzy are the leaders of the Never Land Pirates, and they’re always going up against the evil Captain Hook. Whether they’re reclaiming treasure or seeking out lost islands and cities, the adventures in Never Land are always epic. If your child is a fan of the show, then these costumes are perfect. Each design is taken right from the cartoon, so Jake, Izzy, and Captain Hook all look just like the real thing.

Tinker Bell and the Pirate Fairy Costumes

They aren’t the only pirates in Never Land, though. Tinker Bell herself, keeper of pixie dust and best friend to Peter Pan, has embarked on the pirate’s life in her movie The Pirate Fairy. Tink and her fellow fairy Zarina still have their sparkly wings and fairy magic, but they’ve exchanged wands for pirate swords. Together, they prove that fairies can have plenty of fight in them. We’ll be talking about Tinker Bell and more fairy costume ideas in a future blog post, too.

DIY Pirate Costume Ideas

The typical landlubber household may not have pirate hats, hooks, and patches at the ready, but we guarantee that there are plenty of items in your child’s closet right now that would make perfect additions to any pirate’s treasure chest of drawers. Here are a couple of quick tips on items to look for:

Stripes. As reflected in a few of our costumes, striped clothing was a common sight on real pirate ships.

Simple colors. Specifically, we’re talking about neutral colors like grays and browns as well as muted tones of basic colors like red and blue. Pirates wore clothes like that centuries ago, because those colors of dyes were the cheapest.

Any old items. Create basic DIY costume items from articles of clothing destined for the trash. For example, an out grown black T-shirt can be turned into an easy pirate vest by removing the sleeves and cutting it open straight down the front.

Torn or ragged items. If your child insists on wearing those pants (the ones with the holes), might as well turn them into a pair of cut off pirate shorts. Plus, now they’ll have to wear their nicer ones to school.

Bandanas and scarves. Turn these into sashes and pirate belts. You can even use swatches cut from old clothes or just plain pieces of fabric from the store.

Shoes. Actually, lots of real pirates went barefoot, so that’s an easy one!

Pirate themed activities and games

Once your motley crew has fully assembled, it’s time to take on the life of a true pirate. Naturally, all of these activity ideas and suggestions can be done without needing to dress up, but that just makes it so much more fun, not to mention totally adorable. These are also all great pirate party game ideas if you’re planning a pirate themed birthday party for your child. (We’ll show you where to find more pirate party ideas at the end of this post.)

Pirate Treasure Hunt

Sketch out a rough map of your home or your backyard, complete with a route for your treasure seekers to follow and X’s to mark various spots along the way. The map itself can be as simple as a Sharpie drawing on a piece of a torn brown paper grocery bag.  To make it look older and more authentic, you can age the paper by staining it with black tea or coffee. Folding deep creases and crinkles into the paper and singeing the map edges will make it look more like a real pirate map, too. Use the map and other hidden clues to help your pirates find all sorts of treats and treasures (that you buried beforehand, of course).

Hook Toss

Create your own DIY take on the classic ring toss carnival game with this pirate-themed version. With some hot glue or strong tape, affix two or three pirate hooks to a piece of cardboard or plywood. Place them at varying heights to account for different point values. Then, hang or lean your target on a wall or a tree. An easy way to make your own ring toss rings is to cut the middles out of a few dollar store Frisbees – add gold spray paint for more of a pirate look. Who can land the most rings on the most hooks?

Walk the Plank

Walking the plank was usually a bad thing for most real-life pirates, but it does make a fun idea for a pirate themed activity. Prop up a long wooden board on a couple of bricks or short stacks of books. Can your pirates make it all the way across blindfolded? For smaller kids, a safer “plank” can be made on the ground with masking tape inside or sidewalk chalk outside.

Capture the Pirate Flag

This is one works the best if you have a large group of pirate party guests, just like the classic playground game. Divide the children into to two teams and establish “home ships” on either side of the backyard. These just can just be a few lines marked on the ground, or a couple of cardboard boxes decorated like pirate ships. The most important piece of equipment are the pirate flags themselves: each team has to try to grab the other’s, and bring it back to their own side. Birthday Express has this great weathered-looking pirate flag, or you can DIY your own with a piece of black cloth.

Pirate Birthday Party Supplies and Party Ideas

If you’re planning a pirate themed birthday party for your child, the Birthday Express Blog is a great place to start. You’ll find all kinds of styling tips and ideas for all of their awesome pirate party themes, so check them out.

What kind of costume ideas should we show off next? If you liked this post and want to see more like it, then share your thoughts with us on Facebook and on Twitter @CostumeExpress. Be sure to check out our Pinterest boards for more costume ideas and tips, too.

Click here to shop all Pirate Costumes for kids on Costume Express.

The post Sailing the Seven Seas with Kids’ Pirate Costumes appeared first on Halloween Costume Ideas and Tips for Kids.

Over the years, I’ve learned that when I let my kids have creative control over their Halloween costumes — even if that means sacrificing a cute family theme — it always makes the holiday more enjoyable. Luckily for me, my two big kids are obsessed with Star Wars right now, and my dream of coordinating costumes came true! If you’re looking to go with a Star Wars theme, I have a few tips and tricks that will make picking out your costumes just a bit easier.

1. Don’t skimp on the accessories

The capes, the lightsabers, swords, guns — all the extra fluff is what really turns a normal costume into an adventure. This is the one night where mom and dad dress up and become part of their imaginative play! We had so much fun fighting bad guys together and it’s little family moments like this that make such a big impact on a child and in a family.

2. Baby costume ideas (and baby Ewoks!)

We have 4-month-old twins, and I was looking for a costume that would not only keep them warm, but would fit our theme. We ended up turning these snuggle bear jumpsuits into baby Ewoks. We purchased two brown T-shirts, cut off the sleeves and then put the shirts over the babies like scarves. Then, all you need to do is pull the fabric up in the back and over the head and cut little holes to pull the ears through. Voila, warm and snuggly baby Ewoks!

3. Masks, or no masks?

Because these are the costumes my kids will be wearing in their school parades, we needed to pick something that didn’t need a mask or helmet to be identifiable. Costume Express has a great selection of Star Wars costumes and characters, so just be aware that masks and helmets may not be allowed at your school. For that reason, we avoided a few characters, but my kids ended up finding something they were happy with anyway — say hello to my Padme Amidala and X-Wing Fighter Pilot!

4. Layering

We live in Ohio, and by the time Halloween rolls around, it’s nearly freezing. Whether or not we can layer underneath a costume is a big factor when deciding which one to go with. Make sure that when you’re choosing a costume, you go a size up to allow for warm layers underneath. Similarly, be sure to choose a costume that’s light and cool if you live in a warmer climate.

5. Fighter Pilot costume tips

The grey straps on the fighter pilot costume can be a bit tricky to put together, as it doesn’t come with any instructions. I ended up snipping the grey straps that were attached to the orange jumpsuit and used my mad homemaking skills with the safety pin to adjust and alter the straps so that they draped nicely on my son. If your son is as crazy as mine, you also might want to reinforce the plastic chest box where the straps thread through with some duct tape! This is such a cute costume and it will be very easy to layer him in warm clothing underneath.

6. Try it on, and lay it out

I can’t tell you how many times we’d wait until the last minute to pick out or try on our costumes to find out they were too large, too small or needed some adjusting. If you want your night to run smoothly, make sure everything is altered how you want, that you have plenty of safety pins and that you’ve thought through the layers and accessories ahead of time. When you have a slew of kids, 10 extra minutes for each of them that you didn’t have turns you into a frazzled little mess. So, do yourself a favor and try it on, and lay it out!

7. Trick-or-treat family traditions

Our tradition is hamburger soup and warm, homemade bread before we go trick-or-treating. I like to make it the day before so I’m not stressed out trying to get a healthy, home-cooked meal on the table on top of getting everyone warm enough for the night and dressed up in their costumes. We like to put safety lights or a few stripes of reflective tape on the big kids so they’re easily spotted, and if you want to get pictures with everyone, I suggest doing it before the big day!

Halloween is my absolute favorite holiday. It’s the one night a year that moms and dads get to become kids for the night and make special memories with their little ones. I hope you guys get to enjoy the holiday with your family and remember that it’s all about creating happy memories for your kids. Don’t stress yourself out with little things that don’t really matter! Happy Halloween!

If you liked this post and want to see more like it, then tell us which costume themes we should show off next! Tweet us @CostumeExpress, visit our Facebook page, or leave a comment below. Also, be sure to check out Abby’s blog at TwistMePretty.com.

Shop family Star Wars costumes on Costume Express.

Learn more about trick-or-treat safety tips for the whole family.

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We created this guide to help dog lovers include their canine pals in their Halloween fun. The guide covers everything you need to know to maximize the fun you have with your dog, from choosing the perfect costume to keeping your dog – and everyone else – safe.

Costume Express would also like to give a special thanks to Angela Speed, the vice president of communications at the Wisconsin Humane Society, for sharing her expertise with us.

Costume or No Costume?

Costumes and Halloween go together like any number of clichés. From contests to trick-or-treating, your costume is the essential element of any Halloween plans. There are plenty of adorable costumes for your pet, too, but you’ll need to take extra care when choosing one. Not all dogs will appreciate being stuffed into a costume, and some costumes might even be dangerous to the dog. Dressing up may be a big part of the holiday, but nothing should be more important than your dog’s comfort and safety.

Wisconsin Humane Society

Deciding if a Costume Is Right for Your Dog

While some people discourage pet costumes completely, Angela Speed acknowledges that “dressing up your pet in a costume can be really fun, and the photos are priceless.” However, she also cautions pet owners to make sure their dog enjoys the costume. If it clearly dislikes being dressed up, don’t force it to. As Speed put it, “you know your dog best.”

How can you tell if your dog would be comfortable in a costume? Try finding a piece of clothing around the house that closely replicates how a costume would fit. If your dog seems to be comfortable wearing that, then it is likely that an actual costume will work just fine.

It is also important to note that different dogs will be able to tolerate different types of costumes. For example, if your dog seems bothered by having his back and abdomen covered, go with a costume that only covers up the top of the head or the collar area. If even that seems uncomfortable, most dogs can handle wearing Halloween-themed collars or bandanas.

Preparing Your Dog for the Costume

If you decide your dog is ready to don a costume for Halloween, your next step is the dress rehearsal. We recommend giving your dog a chance to get used to the costume by dressing him up for a few hours at a time before Halloween. If your dog seems okay with the costume in the house, consider taking him for a walk while he has the costume on. Then, try putting him through the paces – test anything that the costume might need to hold up against on Halloween. This will also help you make sure the costume doesn’t obstruct anything when it’s potty time.

In particular, make sure that the costume doesn’t restrict your pet’s movement, hearing, or vision. Even if you don’t notice anything wrong with the costume, never leave your pet unsupervised while he’s dressed up. With enough squirming, the costume could shift, leading to discomfort for your dog.

These dress rehearsals are also a great time to make sure that the costume doesn’t have any small parts, especially if they’re at risk of falling off. Your dog might accidentally swallow these parts, leading to all sorts of issues.

Finding the Perfect Costume

Keeping Your Pet – And Everyone Else – Safe

There’s no doubt that everyone wants to have fun on Halloween, but safety is still important. Halloween is known for its spooky atmosphere and unexpected surprises, which can throw off your dog’s typical routine. That’s why it’s important to make use of proper safety precautions – otherwise, this ghoulish day of spooky fun can quickly take a frightful turn for you and your pet.

There are a number of things you can do in the weeks leading up to Halloween that will help make the holiday less stressful and dangerous for your dog.

Wisconsin Humane Society

Decorations and Candy

Many of the risks come from things that you can directly control, like decorations. Lighted jack-o’-lanterns and candles are a great way to set a spooky tone for your party or trick-or-treaters, but they can also be a hazard for curious, playful, or just flat-out clumsy puppies. Not only does this put your dog at risk for burns, but it could start a fire. Even electrical pumpkins and other corded decorations can be dangerous. When decorating your house, keep all electrical cords and wires out of your pet’s reach.

If you’re partial to Halloween candy – and who isn’t? – you’ll also want to make sure to keep that out of reach of your furry friend. This is especially true for candy that contains chocolate, xylitol, or raisins, which can be toxic to dogs. According to the Wisconsin Humane Society, the Pet Poison Helpline receives about 12% more calls during the week of Halloween, making it the call center’s busiest time of year.

It’s not just the candy itself that’s harmful to pets, either. Dogs often eat wrappers and lollipop sticks, which can lead to digestive issues. The Pet Poison Helpline suggests watching for signs, including a loss of appetite or potty-time problems. If your dog has any of these symptoms, contact a veterinarian immediately.

Trick-or-Treaters and Door Dashing

Another thing to prepare for is what the Wisconsin Humane Society calls “door dashing.” Frequently opening your door gives your pet an opportunity to escape and get lost. “More dogs become lost during Halloween just because of the opening and closing of the door to give candy out to trick-or-treaters,” Speed warned. “It’s a time of year when we hear of more dogs coming into shelters nationally.”

You can also take your dog for a long walk earlier in the day to let them burn off any extra energy they might have. This can help prevent the urge for them to dash out.

Always Have Identification

The Wisconsin Humane Society playfully suggests, “For Halloween and the other 364 days a year: always make sure your pet has proper identification.” Whether your dog is in costume or not, and regardless of if you keep him in the house or take him outside, always make sure your pet has an up-to-date ID tag. If your dog does become lost, this will help you reunite with them. Speed also recommends having your dog microchipped, since this is one of the first steps a shelter will take when a new dog is brought in. Since the microchip is registered to the owner, they can contact you immediately.

Obviously, the goal is to have as much fun as possible with your dog, but a lost puppy or a scared child can bring an abrupt end to the festivities – and that’s not fun for anyone.

How to Celebrate with Your Furry Friend

Halloween is full of fun activities for parents and kids to enjoy, whether it’s trick-or-treating, parties, or anything in between. Many pet owners want to include their dogs in these festivities, but they’re not sure how they can. Thankfully, there are plenty of fun ways to get them involved!

Wisconsin Humane Society

Puppy Parties

With a little planning, you can easily adapt some of your favorite party activities so that you can include your puppy.

Everyone loves costume contests, and dogs are no exception. Have your guests dress their dogs in costumes and then let them strut their stuff for everyone. Whether or not the winner gets a prize, everyone wins at a canine costume contest!

Bobbing for apples, another common Halloween party activity, can also be adapted for man’s best friend. If you choose to go this route, just be sure to only use apple slices. Apple cores are easy to choke on and apple seeds contain cyanide, which are toxic for dogs. For an added treat, you can also substitute hot dogs instead of apples. Either way, dogs will enjoy this friendly competition.

The Wisconsin Humane Society also does a “bone dig” for dogs, which they’ve had a lot of success with. Setting something up like this will likely require some more effort, but it could provide plenty of entertainment if you’re planning to have a lot of dogs at the party.

Picture Time!

If your dog is wearing a costume, we’re sure you’ll want to take plenty of adorable pictures so you can save the memories forever. We’ve got some tips to help you take amazing pictures, even if you’re not an expert photographer.

First, understand that getting a great picture will require a great deal of practice. Pets are just like children – they don’t like to stay still, especially for photographs. You can use treats to get your pup’s attention and reward them in between shots.

We also recommend using natural sunlight and a neutral background for the best results.  Artificial light isn’t as bright as it seems, which means your pictures will often be darker than you expected.

Finally, no matter how glamorous your pooch may be, please avoid using flash photography. Bright lights are incredibly unpleasant for animals.

Special Treats

For many kids, the best part about trick-or-treating is coming home with a bucketful of candy. While you can’t give your dog the exact same experience, you can still give him a special treat that fits with the Halloween spirit. There are plenty of yummy Halloween recipes that you can use to prepare some homemade snacks. We’ve seen peanut butter treats, applesauce biscuits, and so many more. You can even treat them to some pumpkin-themed snacks – just like everyone else!

Once you’ve got a plate full of mouth-watering snacks for your pup, you’ll still want to be careful with them. Just like kids and candy, pets and treats can be difficult to separate. Pay close attention to how much your pet is eating and make sure you don’t substitute your pet’s routine meal for the day with these homemade snacks.

Trick-or-Treating

For the most part, Speed recommends not taking your dog trick-or-treating. There are too many things that might rile up or frighten your pet, which could lead to unpredictable and undesirable behavior. However, if you are completely sure your dog can handle it, it’s important to follow any relevant local laws and ordinances. In particular, Speed strongly encourages everyone to have their pet on a leash at all times.

Conclusion

Involving your four-legged friend in your family’s Halloween traditions can be tons of fun, as long as you consider your pet’s safety first and foremost. You know your pet best, so you’ll have to decide what is and isn’t appropriate for your situation, but there are still plenty of options that are suitable for any dog.

If you liked this post and want to see more like it, then share your thoughts with us on Facebook and on Twitter @CostumeExpress. Be sure to check out our Pinterest boards for more costume ideas and tips, too.

Shop Dog Costumes and Costumes for Pets on Costume Express.

The post How to Include Your Dog in Your Halloween Fun appeared first on Halloween Costume Ideas and Tips for Kids.

Photo submitted by P.

It’s easy to build a DIY Minions costume for your child and make ordinary items into something special. We especially like the Minions hat in this photo, made from a yellow knit winter cap and pipe cleaner hair.

Photo submitted by Amanda

Minions cakes can be just as cute as Minions costumes.

Photo submitted by Danielle

Here’s an entire family that transformed themselves into Minions! Mom and dad have gone all out, head to toe, as the little one prepares for a trick-or-treating adventure.

Photo submitted by Heather

A paper Gru logo is an easy addition to a DIY Minions costume that adds a small amount of detail and large amount of cuteness. We’re also loving that Minions knit hat.

Photo submitted by Ingrid

Denim overalls + yellow T-shirt + toy hardhat = instant Minion. Adorable! Creating a Minion out of construction paper for your wall is also a great way to make an impromptu photo booth prop.

Photo submitted by Neal

Pets can be Minions too! Special thanks to Neal for submitting this extra-cute photo of his dog in the Minions’ trademark yellow and blue.

Photo submitted by Sarah

Sometimes a pair of Minion goggles is all you need. They’re small enough to make great party favors at a Minions birthday, too – we can tell that this little Minion definitely loved donning a pair at his!

Photo submitted by Stephanie

As is the case with any costume theme, Minions costumes can benefit greatly from the use of props. Some of the sillier and crazy items from the movies, like the Lava Lamp Gun, can by DIY’ed. Or, hunt your local thrift store for cool and complicated-looking toy weapons.

Photo submitted by Susan

With a few fluffs of yellow and blue tulle from the fabric store, along with some lengths of blue ribbon, you can create the perfect costume tutu, just like this one. Pair with blue tights, a Minions T-shirt, and a yellow hair bow.

Photo submitted by Sharon

Grown-ups can have fun with dress-up every day, too. Here’s an entire group of Minions (with their own Gru) that came up with their own costumes.

If you want to see more, you can still look at all the rest of the submitted pictures in the photo gallery.

What kind of costume ideas should we show off next? If you liked this post and want to see more like it, then share your thoughts with us on Facebook and on Twitter @CostumeExpress. Be sure to check out our Pinterest boards for more costume ideas and tips, too.

Shop Minions costumes on Costume Express.

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Benjamin Franklin

Not only was Ben Franklin one of the United States’ founding fathers, but he was the father of dozens of different discoveries and inventions, too. Bifocals, wood-burning indoor stoves (or “Franklin stoves”), swim fins, and electricity are just a few of the ones that are most commonly known. Of course, Ben didn’t invent electricity – his science experiments paved the way for electricity to be used practically. He did invent a lot of the words that we use when talking about electricity though: “battery,” “charge,” and “conductor” are just a few of them.

We could go on and on with a list of things invented by Ben Franklin, but this link from USHistory.org has plenty more.

Benjamin Franklin Costumes and Dress-Up Ideas

Also famously associated with Ben Franklin: being bald. That’s right; a bald wig is going to be in order for this one! This accessory kit includes a great Ben Franklin wig, with long gray hair attached to a bald cap. His glasses are included, too, and both items combine wonderfully with this Benjamin Franklin costume, complete with knee-length jacket, vest, and jabot. Tuck black pants into high white socks to easily emulate the colonial look. To add even more authenticity to the costume (without breaking the bank), attach these faux gold shoe buckles. Any pair of black sneakers instantly turn into a period-accurate pair of colonial-era shoes.

All of Ben Franklin’s experiments make for great DIY costume ideas: the kite and key combination is especially famous. Lots of craft stores have old-fashioned styles of keys (sans locks) just for scrapbooking or art projects. While you’re there, pick up some twine, a couple wooden dowels, and a swatch of cloth to make your own DIY Ben Franklin Kite. Also, since Ben Franklin is on the $100 bill, it can be funny to make your own giant-sized bill as a costume prop. Cut a hole the size of your or your child’s head in the middle of some green poster board and decorate it with markers to look just like the real thing.

George Washington

Ben Franklin was one of the United States’ founding fathers, but George Washington was the founding father – he is commonly referred to as “the father of his country,” after all. His birthday is still remembered and celebrated to this day: President’s Day is always observed on the third Monday of February, but Washington’s actual birthday is February 22. He was the first President of the United States, after being the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. Lots of people also know about different George Washington legends and stories, like the one in which he chops down his father’s cherry tree, although that one is just a myth.

George Washington Costumes and Dress-Up Ideas

This George Washington costume for kids faithfully recreates his most famous look, complete with a long blue coat, a vest, and three-cornered hat. To top everything off, though, you’ll also need a powdered wig.

As for costume accessories, much like our prop idea with Ben Franklin and the $100 bill, you can just as easily create something similar with Washington and the $1 bill (or the quarter). Also, even though Washington’s false teeth weren’t really made out of wood, yours can look like they are with fake wooden teeth.

Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln lived quite a few decades after his colonial compatriots, but that doesn’t make the 16th president any less deserving of a mention when it comes to patriotic costumes. Honest Abe led the United States through the Civil War, led the abolition of slavery via the Emancipation Proclamation, and also led sweeping trends in men’s headwear. We might have made that third one up, but let’s be honest: Abe’s signature stovepipe hat really is one of his most recognizable features in photographs, portraits, and illustrations.

Abraham Lincoln Costumes and Dress-Up Ideas

The hat is really the most important part of this Abe Lincoln costume, too, which looks like it was plucked right out of the 19th century. With a long black coat and traditional style of necktie, it looks like the wearer is ready to deliver the Gettysburg Address. Abraham Lincoln’s beard is also important to this look, although he didn’t have it until later in his political career.

Betsy Ross

Most people know about Betsy Ross through the story in which she designs and sews the first American flag. While she really was a seamstress whose company made a lot of flags for the Continental Army, as well as various local militias, she probably didn’t personally make the very first American flag that everyone imagines, though. There’s a lot of conflicting historical evidence and a lack of proof in general.

A more likely story is that she just contributed the idea of five-pointed stars to the flag design. George Washington originally drew the design for the 13-starred American flag with six-pointed stars, but Betsy Ross showed that five-pointed stars were easier to cut. In fact, she could make them with just one cut of her scissors – apparently, she kept up with her geometry skills during downtime at the upholstery shop.

Betsy Ross Costumes and Dress-Up Ideas

Whether or not you and your child choose to believe the folk tales and fables surrounding Betsy and her flags, she’s one of the best ideas for a patriotic costume. This Betsy Ross costume for girls includes a matching dress and apron, along with an 18th century-style cap. Now, we doubt that Betsy actually wore an American flag dress, but the historical style of the garment, combined with the design, ensures that everyone knows what character is being portrayed. Colonial costumes, like this dress for girls and this one for adults, are probably a little more historically accurate. Just add your own flag

Speaking of which, Betsy Ross costumes are also great for adding your own DIY costume props and accessories. After all, if there were a DIY hall of fame, Betsy would have been enshrined a long time ago. Aside from finished American flags, flags “in progress” can be used to accessorize this costume, too. A few strips of red and white cloth from the fabric store can be zipped together in seconds, and a big plastic darning needle with yarn can be used to mime sewing.

Uncle Sam

Just about everyone is familiar with the “I Want You” Uncle Sam poster from the 1910s that was used to recruit for the United States army during World War I. Uncle Sam’s pointing finger and serious expression is probably one of the most famous American images ever.

That Uncle Sam isn’t the original Uncle Sam, though. The Uncle Sam representation of America was created during The War of 1812. However, before that, during the Revolutionary War, there was a similar character named Brother Jonathan. Different family member, same idea. The two coexisted for some time, with Jonathan representing the average soldier or citizen, and Uncle Sam representing the United States itself. Sam’s striped pants and tall hat were actually taken from Jonathan, too.

Uncle Sam Costumes and Dress-Up Ideas

For the casual costumer, an all-American Uncle Sam hat, perhaps with an Uncle Sam wig and matching fake beard, is all that’s needed to liven up a family get-together. No need to pair these patriotic costume accessories with anything other than an American flag – they speak for themselves. Or, dress up with an entire Uncle Sam costume to really show your patriotism. Kids’ versions and even one for your pet are also available.

We also have to mention this inflatable Uncle Sam costume for those who love to get laughs. Not only does it look absolutely hilarious, but since the suit is constantly being inflated by a small, battery-powered electric fan, it’s literally as light as air. This makes the costume really easy to wear and move around in, despite its silly outward appearance. Just be careful not to knock anything over with your big, inflatable belly.

If you need an Uncle Sam costume for a show or a parade, the elite edition really goes the whole nine yards in stripes and stars. This deluxe six-piece outfit is more than just an Uncle Sam costume – it’s a full-on Uncle Sam wardrobe, consisting of a coat, vest, dickie, hat, spats, and striped pants. It might just be the most American thing you could possibly ever wear, and it’s the perfect costume for letting out anybody’s inner Uncle Sam (or Aunt Samantha).

The Statue of Liberty

Lady Liberty is an American symbol that’s just as big as Uncle Sam – even bigger, if we’re talking physical size. The 151-foot-tall sculpture was completed in 1886 by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, as a gift from France to the United States to celebrate 100 years of independence. The historical significance of the Statue is even deeper than that, too: the idea of a goddess named Liberty actually dates all the way back to the Roman Empire.

Statue of Liberty Costumes and Dress-Up Ideas

Any Statue of Liberty costume needs two things. Liberty’s torch is one of them, and if it lights up like this one does, then that’s even better. Her crown is the other. With both of these items, anyone can be Lady Liberty. Full-on Statue of Liberty costumes are needed for the truly authentic look, though. Green robes look just like the statue (which was originally made of shiny copper). A heavy book or makeshift Styrofoam stone tablet, along with a pair of simple sandals, are the perfect costume accessories.

What kind of costume ideas should we show off next? If you liked this post and want to see more like it, then share your thoughts with us on Facebook and on Twitter @CostumeExpress. Be sure to check out our Pinterest boards for more costume ideas and tips, too.

Click here to shop all Patriotic and Colonial Costumes on Costume Express.

The post Patriotic Costumes – Dress-Up Fun for the Whole Family appeared first on Halloween Costume Ideas and Tips for Kids.

In our recent post all about fairy dress-up ideas, this rainbow fairy costume was one of the many magical outfits that we showcased. Today, we’re showing you how to make that look even more majestic with an amazing fairy face paint tutorial. Created by Rochelle Midro of Aloha Glam Art, and shown off by her lovely model, Lyric, this design is sure to bring out the inner fairy in any little girl.

Adorable! You can also use the same techniques shown in the video with any colors of face paint to create the perfect look for any fairy costume. Use the photo slideshow below to click through Rochelle’s tutorial, step by step:

Begin to create the butterfly wings with a rainbow or split cake of face paint and a 1-inch flat brush.

By holding the brush at an angle, and by using just the tip, you can still paint with just one color.

Apply some sparkly gold glitter around the eyelids and eyebrow area.

Use your favorite shades of blue and purple eyeshadow to create a gradient of color.

Add to the outlines of the butterfly wings with white face paint and a small round brush.

Use different types of lines and swirling strokes to finish the outlines of the wing shapes.

With a medium flat or round brush, add bright pink accents to the eyelid and cheek areas.

Darken the inside corners of the eyes with some purple face paint…

…and draw the butterfly’s body along the nose with the same color.

Use dots of white paint to create highlights all around the butterfly design.

Shades of pinks and purples give the lips the perfect cotton candy-kissed look.

Add a few final accents with dark purple face paint.

The butterfly fairy face paint look is complete!

What did you think of this kids’ costume makeup tutorial? If you liked this post and want to see more like it, then tell us what kind of costume and face paint ideas we should show off next. Share your thoughts with us on Facebook and on Twitter @CostumeExpress, and be sure to check out our Pinterest boards for more costume ideas and tips, too.

Visit Rochelle on YouTube, Instagram, and AlohaGlamArt.com for more face paint ideas.

Click here to shop all Fairytale and Storybook Dress-Up on Costume Express.

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Likewise, princesses of all ages can enjoy Cinderella’s new gown. It looks absolutely gorgeous – and we’ve gotten our hands on the newest Cinderella costumes, too. They’re the official looks from the movie, with incredible accuracy and attention to detail. Give a special princess in your life the most magical princess birthday party ever, or stash these costumes away for Halloween.

Here’s a quick look at all of our new Cinderella costumes, available to order right now on Costume Express.

Cinderella Costumes

When the new Cinderella movie was announced, everyone talked about the new ball gown Lily James would wear onscreen, and Disney did not disappoint with the design. The flowing blue dress is a little less elaborate than the version from the original animated film, but it’s a faithful re-imagining that’s every bit as beautiful.

This entire costume has a semi-metallic look to it, which shines and shimmers in the light – the multi-layered skirt has extra sparkles in the fabric itself to create a glittering ensemble all the way around. Details from the movie, like the butterfly accents on the shoulders and bodice, make for excellent finishing touches that really make this costume something to behold. The adult version of our new Cinderella costume is equally elegant, and is perfect for all the big kids among us.

The blue gown isn’t Cinderella’s only costume in the new movie though. She also wears this amazing wedding dress. Pearlescent, ombre tones wrap around the entire thing, head to toe, complete with adorable floral accents. Sheer, lace-like sleeves and sparkly gold shoes tie the look together.

We can’t forget about Cinderella’s fairy godmother, either. After all, she’s the one responsible for bringing the princess magic to Cinderella, and this fairy godmother costume will bring the magic to your Cinderella, too. Complete with detachable fairy wings, this shimmering dress features delicate, lace-like brocade patterning and glittery tulle overlays that sparkle in the light. Pair with silver ballerina shoes for the perfect finishing touch.

Glass Slippers

Speaking of shoes, every Cinderella story needs glass slippers! These special shoes are the most important symbol of the Cinderella story that’s carried over through all the different versions, and Prince Charming never would have been able to find her without them. Click here to check out some of the concept sketches for the glass slipper in the new Cinderella movie, from designers like Jimmy Choo and Nicholas Kirkwood.

These princess shoes are perfect for any little girl that wants to be Cinderella. Naturally, they’re not really made of real glass, but they look just like the real thing. Lucite, plastic, and rhinestones can be just as magical with a little imagination! Don’t worry mom, there’s a size for you, too. For a little extra magic, here’s a pair of Cinderella shoes that light up with every step.

Cinderella Hair and Accessories

Naturally, the glass slippers are what really make a Cinderella costume a Cinderella costume, but there are other princess accessories that are just as important. Every reigning princess needs a royal tiara, right? Here’s a flower tiara and ring set just like Cinderella’s. Luxurious princess gloves like this bring even more fanciful fun to the whole ensemble.

To recreate even more magic from the movie, try out the Fairy Godmother’s magic wand and combs. They worked for Cinderella! They’re also 100% guaranteed not to evaporate the midnight after you take them out of the packaging.

As for the Cinderella hairstyle, there’s no need to scour the web for a Cinderella hair tutorial, or spend hours trying to perfect the look yourself. This official Disney Cinderella wig is 100% accurate to the movie and will transform your little girl into her favorite princess in seconds!

Cinderella Costumes for Adults

Of course, moms can be (and deserve to be) princesses, too! All of these adult Cinderella costumes make for great family and group costumes, or trick-or-treat pairing with littler princesses. For example, mom can be the fairy godmother to her daughter’s Cinderella, or vice-versa. Sisters can also dress up as Anastasia and Drisella, Cinderella’s stepsisters, or as Lady Tremaine, her step-mother.

More Cinderella and Disney Princess Costumes

Cinderella’s the new thing right now, but that doesn’t make the rest of the Disney Princesses any less enchanting. For example, Frozen Fever was released in theaters right alongside Cinderella, and a full Frozen sequel (tentatively titled, simply, “Frozen 2”) has been announced, too. Browse our entire selection of Frozen costumes, or click here to learn more about Frozen costume ideas for kids if your daughter has her heart set on being Elsa or Anna.

Also, the classics are the classics for a reason. Cinderella’s dress from the original Disney movie is still as amazing as ever, and there are plenty more Disney Princesses to choose from, too. To be exact, there are actually 13 official Disney Princesses, included the ones we’ve already mentioned. From Snow White, Belle, and Sleeping Beauty to Mulan, Jasmine, and Rapunzel, every little girl can choose her favorite!

What did you think of the Cinderella movie? What kind of costumes and costume themes should we show off next? To let us know what you think, find us on Twitter @CostumeExpress or on our new Facebook page and share your thoughts! Check out our boards on Pinterest, too, get even more costume ideas for the whole family.

Click here to view the entire collection of Cinderella costumes on Costume Express.

To learn more about the history of Cinderella, check out this article on the BuyCostumes.com Blog.

The post Cinderella Costumes appeared first on Halloween Costume Ideas and Tips for Kids.