Michelle Fuson

Looking for some Halloween costume ideas? And ways to save?!?

Read on to find some of our favorite last minute halloween costume ideas and ways to save a few bucks this Halloween season!

Somehow that Halloween season just sneaks right up on us! Every year I have high hopes of being on top of it before all of the sizes are out of that ONE costume your kid HAS to have (parent fail…).

There are always some great deals and promotions to take advantage of if you haven’t snatched up your family’s costumes yet! Read on to find some ideas and deals so you can be prepared well before Halloween arrives (and maybe even save a little money as well…)!

*This post may contain affiliate links (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link we may earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a dime)! Read our full disclaimer.

Halloween Costume Ideas and 7 Ways to Save!

1. Find Some Deals on Amazon

Amazon has become quite our “go-to” over the years for Halloween costumes! At first we were a little hesitant since you can’t try the costumes on (why do the costumes have such weird sizes?!?). 

However, if you have plenty of time, Amazon has a great return policy on most costumes (it will be noted as “Free Returns”) if the costume doesn’t fit.

You can do a return on most items and ship it back and receive full credit (if it’s within the time frame). Then simply order the correct size while the other is being shipped back!

We have done this before with one of the boy’s Batman costumes and it was no problem AT ALL! We were super pleased with the return process and other than the hassle of driving to the UPS store to drop it off, it wasn’t too bad! 

(TIP- Be sure to save the box or bag that it was shipped in for easy returning if you think you may need to swap out sizes!)

We also have found that when we wait until the last minute (and all of the local stores are out of the size we need…YIKES!)…with Amazon Prime’s 2 day shipping (and now sometimes 1 day shipping!), it’s hard to beat!

The prices are usually pretty comparable to most places and when in a bind and no time to search for deals, this is our quick and easy solution! Again, you would need to be pretty certain of your size though!

Another benefit, if time is on your side and you aren’t looking for a very specific costume, is that Amazon also runs some great deals if you are willing to check them out daily!

2. Check Party City (In-Store & Online)

Our second favorite place to snatch up some great Halloween costumes is at Party City! They seem to run some pretty good deals at times so we have been able to save a good amount over the years by taking advantage of their promotions!

Sometimes they run a promotion in the store for “Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off”. There are exclusions, so be sure to read the fine print!

They also have a special discount area where you can often find great deals! In our local store, there is usually a table up front or a big rack in the back of the store.

We have found some great deals there over the years! The hubby even scored a great Adult Mario Brothers “Mario” costume one year for $5 (complete with epic mustache)!! So be sure to take a gander there!

Also, Party City typically runs similar promotions online, so be sure to check there as well! And typically you can get free shipping on orders over a certain amount!

3. Stop By Your Local Party Store for Halloween Costume Ideas

One year we actually found the best price at a local party store for a specific “Witch” costume that our daughter really wanted! Be sure to stop by and take a peek if you have a pretty good local party store.

One thing to watch for are details on their return policy. Ours has a very strict “No Return” policy, so we had to make sure that was the one she wanted before we committed!

Nothing is worse than being a few weeks out from Halloween and they have a change of heart on their costume! No changing your mind on that one!

4. Browse Walmart or Target

Walmart and Target often will run some sales in-store (be sure to check their weekly ads). The typical price can range anywhere from $10 and up ($10 usually being the more generic costumes), but the prices usually aren’t too bad even without a sale!

Target usually has a sale in-store where if you spend $30, you can save $5. If your kid has picked a costume that’s a little more pricey, that might be a good opportunity to save a little bit at least!

Walmart and Target both run online promotions as well, so be sure to check those out! Historically, Target will run a deal in October online that if you spend $50, you can save $10 (as well as the in-store $30/Save $5). AND…if you are a Redcard Member, you get free shipping and save an extra 5% if you use your card!

5. Visit Costco or Sams before they sell out of Halloween Costumes!

If you are a member at Costco or Sams, be sure to check out their Halloween costumes! They usually get those several months in advance and often get picked through rather quickly, so plan ahead if you want to catch a deal at one of those stores!

We’ve found that, though the prices are sometimes slightly higher, the costumes are very high quality, and sometimes come with extra fun accessories.

6. Check Local Consignment Sales, Thrift Stores or Online Marketplace

When the kids were much smaller, we actually hit up our local consignment stores and sales where we could grab costumes for SUPER cheap! We were able to score several Disney princess dresses for a fraction of the cost. And typically they are in pretty good shape!

This Merida Princess Dress usually is about $40-$50 brand new and we snagged it for $10 at a consignment sale!

Another great place we discovered last year was on our local Facebook Marketplace, where we found some great second-hand Star Wars costumes. Again, if you have time to search (and don’t mind waiting and watching), you can often get a great deal there!

It just depends on how specific of a costume you are looking for. Sometimes it just doesn’t pan out…but when it does, it’s pretty awesome!

7. Use What You Already Have or Make Your Own Halloween Costumes

When all else fails and your child wants THAT specific costume that you just can’t find anywhere…be sure to google ideas or take a look at Pinterest to get your wheels turning! 

I tend to be a “Pinterest Fail” type of gal, so I typically shy away from really complex costume ideas that are out of my skill set. However, I CAN sew…so if it is something like that I will attempt it! We have made some pretty fun costumes over the years with a little creativity (and plenty of planning) and time!

Like these Pokemon Costumes:

And Yogi Bear costumes:

And I know so many other families that have made costumes out of boxes with spray paint and recyclables as well! That intimidates me a little more, but that is totally something they rock and they always look SO great! 

We also have a great collection of dress-up clothes/costumes on-hand already, so sometimes we just pilfer through it to see what we can use to piece together a perfect costume!

Everyone has some good hippy costumes laying around, right?!?

Tap into your creative side! The possibilities are endless!

Final Thoughts on Halloween Costume Ideas

Last but not least, just remember to HAVE FUN and make memories together as a family! Halloween costumes and dressing up is just one of those things that most of us have such fond memories of as a kid!

You don’t have to break the piggy bank for a costume as there are TONS of ways to save on Halloween costumes! But with a little pre-planning and intentionality, you can make it a fun experience that will give you memories that last a lifetime!

So what about you and your family? How do you save for Halloween costumes? Do you have a favorite “go-to” store for Halloween costumes every year? 

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Talking to kids about 9/11 can definitely be a little challenging at times. How much do you share? What do you say?

Do you remember where you were on 9/11? Every year when 9/11 comes around, I always find myself reliving the moments and memories of that day.

I still remember exactly where I was when I heard what happened, and watching the news intently for the majority of the day as the events continued to unfold. 

Now we (as a country) remember this day every year by posting our pictures and quotes like “Never Forget” on social media. It always warms my heart to see people across the country take a day to remember a time that impacted  so many lives.

But now the question is…should you talk to your kids about 9/11? Read on to get our two cents and experiences in talking to our kids about 9/11.

*This post may contain affiliate links (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link we may earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more!) Read our full disclaimer.

Yes, Talk with Your Kids About 9/11!

We believe you should be talking to your children about 9/11! Now that we have older children, we have realized the importance of talking about this day and how it impacted us as a country. 

Every year our kids have more and more questions about 9/11. Why did it happen? Why would someone do that? How many people died? What is terrorism?

While it might be easy to try to shy away from these conversations (as it potentially may create some difficult topics), I have found it’s best to simply let the kids take the lead in how much they want to know. 

This past year we ended up spending most of the morning watching some of the live news reports (their idea!) from 9/11 (with discretion of course), interviews of some of the survivors, and testimonies of families that were impacted that lost loved ones. 

There are plenty of ways to begin these discussions with your children. Here are a few other ideas as well as some things to consider when you do begin that conversation!

Books to Spur Conversations with Kids About 9/11

From history books to fictional books, there are several books out there about there about September 11th. Fictional books are a great way for kids to relate to the main character and imagine what it might have been like during that event and the time thereafter.

One of our favorite series, the “I Survived” series, actually has a book about surviving the attacks of September 11th which is a great place for older kids to start!

I Survived the Attacks of September 11th, 2001

Towers Falling

3 Things to Consider When Talking with Kids About 9/11:

There are many things to think about as you engage in conversations about the events on 9/11. Here are three things to think about as you begin talking about 9/11 with your kids.

1. Consider Your Family Dynamics and Unique Situations

Each family will be different in how much is appropriate to discuss. Some kids with anxiety or trauma-related backgrounds may be more sensitive to this topic. 

You know yourself and your kids the best, so use your discretion in how much you share. Here is a great article from 911Memorial.org about talking to children about terrorism that can give you even more guidelines and ideas for determining how much to discuss.

2. Talk About Your Memories of 9/11 and How You Felt That Day

Every year we try to share our experiences with the kids and how we remember being really confused about what happened. For us, we were in college and all of the classes were canceled for the day. We all sat and watched the news unfold. Praying for the rescuers, possible survivors and everyone directly involved.

It took us quite a while as a country to really grasp the severity of the situation. It was an eerie feeling not knowing what was going on. Yet as the new reports kept coming in, another plane hit…a plane hit the pentagon…another plane crashed in Pennsylvania…we all started to realize what was happening. 

Share your experience. Where you were. How you felt. What you remember about that day. It’s important for our kids to hear how we were impacted by the events of 9/11. 

3. Answer Their Questions and Let them Lead the Way

The kids had lots of questions this year. The thing that really left a lasting impression was an interview with a couple of high school age girls that shared their story of losing their dad that day. 

One was three at the time and the other had not yet been born. While they really don’t have many memories of their dad (obviously as one wasn’t born yet…), they were clearly greatly affected by this day. 

While talking about 9/11 definitely could cause fear and insecurities in some children (always be mindful of your child’s situation…), our conversation this year actually shifted to their hearts being evoked by compassion and gratitude. 

They couldn’t imagine the families that lost loved ones that day, especially children that lost moms and dads. They felt compassion for the firefighter that made it out alive (while many firefighters did not) and actually got to be there for his three young children.

We all the sudden found ourselves in a conversation about having gratitude and being grateful for every person in our lives. 

If you allow your kids to lead the way, you just never know what direction the conversation may go. Allow them to ask questions and answer them to the best of your ability. 

And sometimes “I don’t know” is okay, too! We still don’t have a lot of answers about what happened that day. But being open and willing to discuss it with them will hopefully build bridges to more in depth conversations with your child in the future. 

Final Thoughts

Talking about 9/11 can be a difficult conversation, but the reality is…if we don’t talk about it, the generations to come won’t know about it.

I remember the first day the kids came home from school talking about “9-1-1”(and no, they were NOT talking about calling the emergency phone line). Quickly I realized that they had read about it at school and that’s how they interpreted it. I corrected them that it was “9/11” and started a conversation right then and there about what happened on 9/11.

9/11 is now a big part of our history as a country. And our children (and one day grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc.) need to hear our stories and how it impacted us as a nation. Every year I watch my social media feed all day long on 9/11 with people posting “We Will Never Forget” or “Never Forget.”

And while I am so grateful to live in a generation that takes time to remember 9/11, I also want to make sure we are doing our part in talking to our children about it as well. If we don’t want our country to forget, then we need to be talking about it (and that includes our children – even if it means difficult conversations.) 

You just never know what may spark something in your child through a conversation about 9/11. And it may just be something like that spark that evokes our children to contribute positively to our country and the world around us. 

So what are your thoughts? Have you talked to your kids about 9/11? What were their responses? Were they positive or negative? Be sure to comment below. We would love to hear your thoughts!

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