Carnival Costumes for Kids: How to Choose the Perfect Fit and Style

A carnival costume for a child is the most fun part of the celebration, but only if it fits and is comfortable. Before buying carnival costumes for children, think about three things: what the celebration is, whether the size really fits, and whether the child can move freely in the costume. A Shrovetide procession, a Halloween party and a school carnival place different demands, so the same costume rarely suits all of them.

How to choose a carnival costume for a child

The biggest mistake is buying a costume by age rather than by height. Manufacturers use sizes based on height (104, 110, 116, 128 etc.), and the same five-year-old may be 105 or 120 cm. Before ordering, measure the child and compare with the size stated in the specific costume’s description. If the child is between two sizes, choose the larger one.

Material matters if the costume will be worn for more than a few hours. Polyester dries quickly, does not crease and survives several washes, so it suits a costume the child will wear both for Shrovetide and for Halloween. Plush and faux fur look great in photos, but after half an hour of active play in a warm hall they often become too hot.

Comfort decides whether the celebration ends in tears. Check: can the child undress by themselves after going to the toilet, do the sleeves get in the way of eating, does the mask press. For children under five, an eye mask or face paint often suits better than a mask covering the whole face.

The last but most important question is what the child wants to wear. A costume only delights when the character feels like their own. If a four-year-old girl has watched the same mermaid film for a month, no “practical” alternative chosen by parents will win her over.

Superhero costumes

Superheroes are a common choice for boys aged 4-9. In our shop a Spiderman costume for children costs €22.90, and a black Batman costume for children costs €23.90. You will find more heroes in the superhero category.

Pirate, firefighter and police officer costumes

A pirate costume is easy to adapt: a hat, an eye patch, a white shirt from the wardrobe and a sword. Firefighter and police officer costumes are especially loved by children aged 3-6. The children’s firefighter costume includes trousers, a jacket and a helmet, so nothing else needs to be bought.

Dinosaurs, skeletons and other “scary” costumes

The dinosaur is a universal choice, suitable for both a school carnival and Halloween. A dinosaur costume for children also suits a birthday theme. Skeleton, ghost or vampire costumes sell best in October: Halloween costumes for children are most often chosen for a kindergarten or school celebration.

Most popular carnival costumes for girls

Princess costumes

A princess dress is often the first wish of a girl aged 3-8. You will find Disney Mermaid, Long-Haired Princess and other princess costumes. The most important criterion is not the character but the length of the dress: too long gets in the way of running, too short disappoints the one who expects a real princess impression.

Witches, fairies and Halloween themes

A witch costume for a girl suits both Shrovetide and Halloween. It usually consists of a black dress and a pointed hat, like the witch costume for girls with a tulle skirt. Fairy sets with wings are more popular with girls aged 3-5 and suit summer birthdays. Older girls, aged 8-12, who have tired of pink, more often choose a vampire or a Wednesday Addams look.

Costumes by occasion

Shrovetide has its own visual code: goats, devils, witches, death, cranes, bears. If a child takes part in a traditional procession at school or kindergarten, a classic character will suit better than a superhero. You will find Shrovetide costumes and accessories in the Shrovetide category.

Halloween (October 31) is increasingly celebrated in kindergartens and primary schools too. The theme is narrower: skeletons, ghosts, vampires, witches and “scarier” versions of heroes.

A school carnival is the most free format, but it often has a theme, for example “fairy-tale heroes” or “professions”. Ask before buying. Profession costumes such as doctor, firefighter or astronaut suit almost any theme.

How much does it cost

In our shop most children’s carnival costumes cost between €17 and €31, and the average price is about €23. Children often outgrow costumes within a season or two, so a large investment in a single celebration rarely pays off. It is better to choose a costume the child will wear on several occasions: a dinosaur, a witch or a pirate suits Shrovetide, Halloween and a birthday alike.

Sewing a costume at home is a third option, especially meaningful for Shrovetide, where a flawless look is not the goal. From an old sheet you can make a ghost in half an hour. The drawback is time; the advantage is that the child is proud of a costume you made together.

Buying a costume online

When buying online, what matters most is not the attractive photo but what is written in the description.

• Size: compare the child’s height with the stated size, not the age.
• Contents: the photo may show the full look, while the set includes only part of it. Read the line “The costume consists of”.
• Material: polyester for a short event, softer materials for longer wear.
• Delivery time: when in a hurry, choose a shop that clearly states the dispatch time and has the item in stock.
• Returns: find out the conditions before buying, not after.

Our products are kept in a warehouse in Lithuania, and we ship orders the same or the next working day. Delivery to an LP or Unisend parcel locker takes 1-2 working days and costs €2.99 (free from €49); LP courier to the home costs €5.95 (free from €149). More details are on the delivery page. If the size did not fit, an unused item can be returned within 14 days; the conditions are on the returns page.

Frequently asked questions

How can I sew a carnival costume for a child at home?

The simplest options need no sewing. A ghost is made from an old sheet with cut-out eyes. A mummy is made from gauze bandages. A skeleton is a black tracksuit with white paper bones glued on with fabric glue. Choose a variant you can finish in one evening.

Which children’s costumes are the most popular?

For boys: superheroes, dinosaurs, firefighters and pirates. For girls: princesses, mermaids, witches and fairies. Around Christmas: elves, gnomes and goblins; you will find them in the Christmas costume category.

How do I choose the costume size by the child’s height?

Buy by height in centimetres. Size 116 is usually meant for a child about 110-116 cm tall, but always check the description of the specific costume. If in doubt, choose a slightly larger one: children grow, and a costume that is too small restricts movement.

Before ordering, show the child a few options. If they chose the character themselves, they will not take the costume off the whole celebration.