Buy Used:
Purchase gently used costumes from craigslist or eBay. Because children typically only wear their costume once or twice, most costumes are rarely used.Trade Costumes:
If your kids are similar sizes, consider trading costumes with another family.Get Ideas Online:
Check out the sales online for ideas. If they're inexpensive to buy, they might be even cheaper to make or put together. If it's really cheap, you might even just buy it and have it shipped to avoid spending the time on shopping. Check out costumes for kids under $20 to get started.Raid Your Closet:
Chances are you already have some materials at home to put together a great costume. Kids are creative and enjoy dressing up. See what they can create with the clothes and accessories that you already have on hand.Procrastinate:
If you want to take a risk, you can always shop the day before when most Halloween shops drop their prices. Be ready to be flexible, as many of the items will be picked over.Plan Ahead:
If possible, buy decorations and costumes just after Halloween this year to prepare for next year. The markdown prices will be hard to beat.Focus on Free Entertainment Instead:
Halloween songs and poems and scary stories can create memorable traditions for children. For young children, you can get by with a simple costume, and draw the attention to festivities instead.Share a Costume:
Check the date. Does a nearby town have trick-or-treating on the weekend before Halloween? If so, you might find someone you can share a costume with and split the cost.Look for Costumes That Will Double:
When shopping, keep your eye out for costumes that could easily turn into something else next year. For example, a pretty dress could work as both a princess costume one year and a tooth fairy costume in the following year.
Shop at a Thrift Store:
Decide what kind of costume you want and find pieces to make the costume at thrift or consignment shops. It will take some extra work, but your kids may enjoy the process of looking for great pieces.
