A baby’s first Halloween costume is one of the most photographed moments of the first year. The ideas below are chosen for comfort and safety first, cuteness second — because a baby in an uncomfortable costume will not cooperate for photos.
The most practical first Halloween costumes are onesies with a printed design or a simple hat and bodysuit combination. They are easy to put on, easy to take off, and can be worn over a regular onesie for warmth.
Classic and Timeless
1. Pumpkin
The classic baby Halloween costume. A round orange bodysuit with a green hat is the most recognizable and most photographed first Halloween costume. Choose a soft, stretchy fabric and a hat that sits loosely on the head.
This is the most popular first Halloween costume for a reason — it is universally adorable.
2. Ghost
A white onesie with a ghost face printed on the front, or a simple white sheet with eye holes cut out (for a baby who can sit up and hold their head steady). The ghost costume is simple, classic, and easy to make at home.
For a newborn, a white onesie with a ghost face print is safer than a sheet.
3. Witch
A black onesie with a small witch hat. Choose a hat that is soft and sits loosely on the head rather than a stiff costume hat. Add a small broom prop for photos.
A soft, knitted witch hat is more comfortable than a stiff felt one.
4. Skeleton
A black onesie with a white skeleton print. This is a simple, graphic costume that photographs well in both color and black and white.
Choose a onesie with a full skeleton print rather than a separate costume — it is more comfortable and easier to put on.
5. Vampire
A black onesie with a white collar and a small cape. Add a tiny pair of plastic fangs for photos — remove them immediately after, as they are a choking hazard.
A soft velvet cape is more comfortable than a stiff one.
Animals
6. Black Cat
A black onesie with a cat ear headband and a tail attached to the back. This is one of the most comfortable first Halloween costumes — the headband is the only accessory.
Choose a headband with soft, padded ears rather than stiff ones.
7. Bat
A black onesie with a bat wing attachment at the back. Choose a wing attachment that clips to the onesie rather than wrapping around the arms — it is more comfortable and easier to put on.
A bat costume with a hood is cuter than one without, but only if the baby tolerates hoods.
8. Spider
A black onesie with extra legs attached to the sides. Choose a costume where the extra legs are attached to the body of the onesie rather than to the baby’s arms — it is more comfortable and does not restrict movement.
A spider costume with a round, padded body is the most recognizable version.
9. Owl
A brown or grey onesie with an owl face hood. Choose a hood that sits loosely on the head and does not cover the face. Add a few feather details to the front of the onesie.
An owl costume with a soft, knitted hood is more comfortable than a stiff one.
10. Dinosaur
A green onesie with a dinosaur spine along the back and a hood with horns. This is a popular first Halloween costume that works for both boys and girls.
Choose a costume with a soft, padded spine rather than stiff plastic spikes.
Food and Objects
11. Candy Corn
A yellow, orange, and white striped onesie or a layered costume in those colors. This is a cheerful, colorful first Halloween costume that suits a baby with a bright, happy personality.
A onesie with a candy corn print is more comfortable than a layered costume.
12. Hot Dog
A hot dog bun costume with a red onesie inside. This is a funny, unexpected first Halloween costume that always gets a reaction. Choose a soft, padded bun costume rather than a stiff one.
This costume photographs best when the baby is lying down.
13. Taco
A taco shell costume with a colorful onesie inside. This is another funny food costume that always gets a reaction. Choose a soft, padded shell rather than a stiff one.
This costume photographs best when the baby is lying down or in a bouncer.
14. Avocado
A green onesie with a round, padded avocado pit on the front. This is a popular, modern first Halloween costume that suits a baby with a round, chubby face.
A onesie with an avocado print is more comfortable than a padded costume.
Characters
15. Gnome
A pointed hat, a long beard, and a simple tunic. This is a cozy, comfortable first Halloween costume that suits a baby who does not like hats — the beard can be removed if the baby pulls at it.
A soft, knitted gnome hat is more comfortable than a stiff felt one.
16. Fairy
A tutu, a pair of wings, and a flower headband. This is a classic first Halloween costume for a girl. Choose a soft tutu rather than a stiff one, and wings that clip to the back of the onesie rather than wrapping around the arms.
A soft, knitted flower headband is more comfortable than a stiff one.
17. Superhero
A onesie with a superhero logo and a small cape. Choose a cape that clips to the back of the onesie rather than tying around the neck — neck ties are a safety hazard for babies.
A soft velvet cape is more comfortable than a stiff one.
18. Astronaut
A white onesie with an astronaut patch and a soft helmet. Choose a helmet that sits loosely on the head and does not cover the face.
A soft, knitted helmet is more comfortable than a stiff plastic one.
19. Lion
A tan onesie with a lion mane hood. Choose a hood that sits loosely on the head and does not cover the face. Add a tail attached to the back of the onesie.
A soft, fluffy mane hood is more comfortable than a stiff one.
20. Bear
A brown or grey onesie with a bear ear headband and a small nose. This is one of the most comfortable first Halloween costumes — the headband is the only accessory.
Choose a headband with soft, padded ears rather than stiff ones.
Final Thoughts
The best baby’s first Halloween costume is the one the baby is comfortable in. Start with a soft onesie in the right size, add one or two accessories — a hat, a headband, a cape — and keep the costume on for as long as the baby is happy. The photos will be adorable regardless of the costume, because the baby is adorable regardless of the costume.
Still wondering
Common questions
What should I look for in a baby's first Halloween costume?
Softness, safety, and ease of dressing are the three most important factors. Choose a costume made from soft, breathable fabric with no small parts that could be a choking hazard. Avoid anything that covers the face, restricts movement, or has tight elastic around the wrists or ankles. A onesie with a printed design is the safest and most practical option.
What size Halloween costume should I buy for a baby?
Buy one size up from the baby's current size. Halloween costumes are often worn over a onesie or a sleepsuit for warmth, and a slightly larger size is easier to put on and take off. Check the weight and height guidelines on the packaging rather than relying on age alone.
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