FANCY dress costumes are practically obligatory on occasions like Halloween and World Book Day, and are often required for school productions.
You’ll also catch kids wearing fancy dress whenever they can including – birthday parties, family outings and other holidays – mini Easter bunny, anyone?
Truth is, the best fancy dress costumes for kids will make them feel wonderful, so they’ll want to wear them as often as possible, if the occasion allows.
We’ve rounded up the best fancy dress costumes for children as well as the sites to check out when you need to turn your five-year-old into a dragon or a skeleton immediately.
Kids’ fancy dress costumes tend to follow the latest toy, TV and movie trends.
The new release of a hit children’s movie will lead to an abundance of people dressed as a certain character (it’s why Mary Poppins was a favourite World Book Day 2019 choice, for example).
Check out ASDA, M&S and Amazon for a comprehensive selection of these types of costumes.
You can also get inspiration for fancy dress costumes for kids from book characters.
Roald Dahl’s beloved creations are always popular choices, as are Julia Donaldson’s characters like the Gruffalo and Stick Man.
Some fancy dress costumes will always have enduring popularity: you won't go wrong buying your child a costume from Harry Potter, Star Wars, Peppa Pig or PJ Masks.
Costumes for superheroes, princesses, pirates and all things spooky are also essential to have in your fancy dress wardrobe.
They’ll always prove popular and can serve as entertainment for younger kids on playdates.
Some kids want a costume that doesn’t look like everyone else’s – or that turns them into a cool “real person,” like a doctor, astronaut or vet.
There’s also an argument for keeping it easy and buying an accessory or two that can instantly become a costume.
For example, a Cat in the Hat striped hat costs £2.49 at Party Delights and turns your child into the character with no stress (just add a black T-shirt, leggings and a red bow tie).
From high street bargain costumes to rare fancy dress ideas, we’ve rounded up the best fancy dress costumes for kids and the places to buy them.
1. Best Halloween fancy dress costumes for kids
Try – H&M
- Fancy dress costume – Black and Cerise skeleton, £14.99 at H&M – buy here
H&M is the place to stock up on fancy dress costumes for kids pre-Halloween, like this skeleton dress with a pink tulle skirt that parents say is "absolutely gorgeous" and a "beautiful dress."
We also like that it can pass as an everyday dress (well, almost), for those particularly keen children who want to wear their costumes out.
H&M's fancy dress costumes, which typically cost around £18 or less, are very well-reviewed, and parents are impressed with the overall styles, quality and fabrics.
2. Best superhero fancy dress costumes for kids
Try – Tu at Sainsbury's
- Superman Blue Costume, from £15 at Sainsbury's – buy here
Parents love the good-quality fabric on this Sainsbury's Superman costume – and that it's good value for money.
Even the details are great, down to the padded chest.
Sainsbury's also has Thor, Iron Man, PJ Masks, Batman and more for any tiny superheroes under your roof.
3. Best high-quality fancy dress costumes for kids
Try – Disney Store
Rapunzel Costume For Kids, Tangled, £28 at Disney Store – buy here
The Disney Store is your go-to shop for the most detailed, sumptuous and faithful recreations of your favourite characters.
You'll find Disney princesses like Rapunzel, Anna and Elsa, superheroes like Spiderman and Captain Marvel and Toy Story and Star Wars costumes.
They are, however, double the price of most other fancy dress costumes.
Parents think it's worth it: reviewers have said this Rapunzel dress is "beautifully made" and "a little more expensive than most but they last and you get what you pay for."
4. Best cheap fancy dress costumes for kids
Try – George at ASDA
- Harry Potter fancy dress costume, £16 at ASDA – buy here
ASDA's comprehensive collection of fancy dress costumes includes all the must-haves: Harry Potter, Disney Princesses, Roald Dahl characters, David Walliams costumes, superheroes, pirates and more.
The costumes average around £14-£15, but you can bag a bargain and pick one up for £5 or £6 on sale.
Parents love this Harry Potter costume, which is great value for money and even includes a wand and glasses.
Note: Gryffindor costumes tend to sell out fast so if you have a Harry, Ron or Hermione fan at home, buy your costume well before the themed party or World Book Day.
5. Best unusual fancy dress costumes for kids
Try – Meri Meri
- Flamingo cape dress up, £36 at Meri Meri – buy here
Not every child wants to be a TV character or wear typical fancy dress choices.
If you're looking for something stylish and a bit unexpected, then you'll quickly fall for Meri Meri's stunning fancy dress costumes.
This tulle flamingo includes a cape and headpiece; you can also find a swan, mermaid, fairies, tulle superhero cape and shiny dragon.
6. Best place to stock up on tricky-to-find costumes
Try – Amazon
Dress Up America Kids Blue Crayon Costume
- Dress up America Kids Blue Crayon Costumer, £16.99 at Amazon – buy here
Sometimes your kid just wants to be a crayon (maybe they've read The Day the Crayons Quit, by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers, 100 times).
Or you need a full-body lion costume. Amazon is your place for any hard-to-find or random costumes, which are also good value for money.
7. Best 2-in-1 costume
Princess/Pirate Reversible Costume, £14.99 at Ocado – buy here
In our experience, children often have their hearts set on wearing one costume – and then change their mind five minutes later.
This reversible costume is perfect for those moments, so they can be a pirate and a princess.
8. Best ride-on costume
- Dragon Ride-on Dress Up, £25 at Marks & Spencer – buy here
Ride-on costumes are great because they easily slip on and off over your child's regular clothes so don't involve changes of clothes or any extra faff.
Parents absolutely rave about this dragon costume from M&S, with one reviewer writing: "Loved it! Everyone was amazed when they found out where it was from.
"Great quality, fit makes it easy for little ones and big ones to wear. Totally recommend it."
9. Best "real world" costume brand – Melissa & Doug
- Melissa & Doug Astronaut Role-Play Costume Set, £17.83 at Amazon – buy here
For kids and parents looking for a costume that reflects a real-life profession, look no further than Melissa & Doug's selection.
It includes this astronaut costume with metallic silver gloves and matching helmet, as well as a doctor, fireman, pilot, race car driver and construction worker.
Enjoy our round-up of the best fancy dress costumes for kids? Why not look at our picks of the best kids' board games.
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