10 Cold Weather Accessories That Won't Hide Your Kid's Halloween Costume
Adding extra layers to your child’s Halloween costume keeps them warm without ruining the look of their costume! Image credit: Shutterstock/Yuganov Konstantin
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For kids who live in the Midwest, New England, and the Pacific Northwest, Halloween can be a mixed bag for weather. Some years, it’s hot and humid, while others are full of snow (like enough to shovel and salt the driveway!). For kids, cold weather on Halloween usually means having to cover up their costumes with a coat, which is just a major bummer. This year, prepare for the potential cold weather with these accessories that keep little ones warm without ruining their costume aesthetic.
Fleece-Lined Tights for Cold Weather Costumes
Fleece-lined tights or leggings are perfect for keeping kids in princess, ballerina, and other similar costumes warm. They come in a variety of colors, so you can match the right pair to the costume, and they offer better warmth than regular tights. If you choose leggings, you can supplement them with matching legwarmers or knee socks for full coverage. Best of all, the tights or leggings can be reused as a warm base layer for outdoor winter activities after Halloween is over.
Kids’ Neck Gaiters for Kids’ Halloween Costumes
Neck gaiters can easily be incorporated into a costume. Simply match the color to the costume and this extra layer blends seamlessly with most necklines. For princess dresses, consider a matching collar dickie worn with the neck gaiter to provide better coverage. Gaiters are great because they can be worn over the face for added warmth in windy/cold weather and be pulled down quickly for when kids are ready to smile and say “trick or treat.” Fleece options offer maximum warmth, but even lighter fabrics can provide cover from the cold.
Thermal Base Layers for Cold Halloween Weather
Thermal underwear as a base layer is the easiest way to protect kids from the cold on Halloween without ruining their costumes. I personally recommend Under Armour HeatGear for a base layer. It’s gotten us through Halloweens, spring and fall baseball games, and so much more. If you don’t opt for Under Armour (it can be pricey), look for thermals that are fleece-lined. The old waffle-knit thermals some of us remember from the 1980s and 90s are fine, but there are lots of warmer options out there today.
Licensed Character Hat and Glove Sets
Sometimes, cold weather essentials are unavoidable at Halloween. Buying a licensed character hat and glove set is a great compromise that adds to the costume instead of taking away from it. This is a great option for kids who are dressing up as a Disney Princess or a superhero (and you can also find hats for Minions, TMNT, Star Wars, and other franchise as well). Because there are so many different options out there, look for the design that best matches your child’s costume color. If your princess still wants to wear a crown (this might be non-negotiable, pick a winter hat without a fluffy pom pom on the top so you can safety pin the crown (or tiara) directly to the hat.
Hand and Foot Warmers to Beat Halloween Chills
If the weather is super cold, tiny fingers and toes will get cold fast. Disposable hand and foot warmers are a great temporary solution, but be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging (direct contact with skin is typically not recommended). Toe warmers can be slipped inside of shoes or boots, with socks acting as a protective barrier for the skin. For hands, simply slip the warmers in your child’s pockets. They can put their gloved hands in their pockets whenever they need a quick warmup between houses.
Leg Warmers to Hide Winter Boots
Sometimes, the warming gear is more about aesthetics. Leg warmers worn over snow boots won’t keep tiny toes warmer, but they will hide the boots for a better on-theme look. When worn over sneakers, they can also add to the look (plus, they actually do keep ankles and legs warm). You can find leg warmers in almost any color you can think of, and buying a set with different colors means your kids have options for this year and the next. They also come in handy for the rest of the winter too.
Hooded Rash Guards for Extra Warmth
Hooded rash guards, also known as fishing shirts or sun shirts, pull extra duty for Halloween. They can be worn under a costume, and the hood provides coverage for the neck, ears, and head. These tops don’t get in the way of masks, and costume hats/wigs can be worn on top. They’re lightweight and feature quick-dry fabric, so they can be used for outdoor summer activities too (and the UV protection offers peace of mind throughout the year!).
Kids’ Hiking Socks for Cold Trick-or-Treat Nights
Kids thermal hiking socks are great for almost any costume that has pants. They stay hidden while keeping toes nice and toasty. They’re built for cold weather and they have a little bit of cushion in them due to their thickness, so they provide some added comfort for long trick-or-treat journeys. Plus, like many of the other cold weather accessories on the list, they earn their keep as essentials for frosty winter days. Because they stay covered by costume pants, the color doesn’t matter as much. Pick a multi-count pack with colors your kids love so they’ll be happy to wear these socks after Halloween.
Youth Sports Hand Warmer for Cozy Hands
There’s a reason quarterbacks wear a hand warmer pouch during games. This cold weather gear offers extra warmth between plays for athletes, which makes them great for warming up hands between houses while trick-or-treating. If your child is going dressed as a football player, this is a great addition to the costume. However, a hand warmer pouch is ideal for other costumes as well. The pouches are small, so they don’t detract too much, and they come in a variety of colors. You can also find microwaveable hand warmer pouches in kid-friendly designs that offer even more warmth!
The Onesie for the Cold Halloween Win
When in doubt, go for a onesie as the Halloween costume. You can add plenty of layers underneath for warmth without the costume looking bulky, plus these types of costumes are easy to put on. That means kids won’t need any help if they have to change into their costumes at school. They have built-in hoods, so even a hat and scarf can stay covered without taking any attention away from the costume. I personally think onesie costumes are the best for babies and toddlers, but even big kids can find styles they love.
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Tips for Layering Under Halloween Costumes
Layering is the key to staying warm on Halloween without ruining the look of your child’s costume. Taking sizes and fabrics into account will make it easier to bundle up if Halloween is blustery this year.
Buy a Size Up
If you live in an area where the weather will most likely be cold, buy a size or half-size larger than what your child normally wears. This allows extra room for thermals, hoodies, and other layers to fit underneath without adding too much bulk.
Pack Extra Gloves
Gloves get lost along the way. Sometimes kids take them off between houses to grab some candy, and sometimes they just feel more comfortable without them. Tuck an extra pair or two in the trick-or-treat bag just in case, and throw a couple of extra hand warmers in there too.
Bring a Thermos
If the weather is really cold, a thermos of hot cocoa can be just the thing to help kids stay warm and toasty on Halloween. Plus, you can have some sips to stay warm too!
Layering Examples
For princess/ballerina costumes: fleece-lined tights + leg warmers + thermal shirt + winter hat/gloves
For superhero costumes: thermal pants/fleece-lined leggings + thermal shirt + hiking socks + neck gaiter + winter gloves
For onesies: thermal shirt and top or sweatpants and sweatshirt + hiking socks + winter hat/gloves
Too many layers are better than not enough. Over-bundling means kids can shed layers if they get too warm. Consider bringing a small bag along with you so you can carry any layers your kids decide they don’t need as they continue trick or treating.
