Sesame Street is my favourite answer when a family asks for one theme that fits a toddler, a teenager and two tired parents. Every character owns a colour, so even a homemade version reads at the front door. The usual favourites are all here, from Elmo, Cookie Monster and Big Bird to Oscar, Grover, Abby Cadabby, Bert, Ernie and the Count, plus a few deeper cuts for kids who know the show well. You can buy a fuzzy jumpsuit, build one from closet basics, or mix thrifted clothes with felt details. My priorities on Halloween night never change: soft fabric, shoes they can walk in, nothing over the eyes and props a small hand can carry for two hours.
Buying a Fuzzy Jumpsuit Versus Building From a Hoodie
Families usually ask me whether to buy a ready-made fuzzy jumpsuit or put a character together from a hoodie and felt. Both are fine. The right one depends on the child and the night you're planning.
When a bought jumpsuit makes sense
- Toddlers who live in one-piece pajamas anyway and won't notice the extra fabric.
- Very cold routes, since a fleece jumpsuit traps more warmth than separate pieces.
- Busy weeks where you simply don't have an evening to sew felt onto a hood.
When I'd build it from a hoodie
- Kids who are toilet-trained but still need help fast. A jumpsuit means undressing completely in a stranger's bathroom; a hoodie and joggers don't.
- Mild evenings or indoor parties, where a full fleece suit gets sweaty within half an hour.
- Children who hate tags, hoods or tight cuffs. You can choose the exact hoodie they already like wearing.
- Anyone who wants the clothes back afterwards. Unpick the felt and the hoodie goes into the school-day rotation.
Whichever you choose, try it on at home for a full half hour a few days before. That's long enough to find the itchy seam, the nose that sags or the hood that keeps falling back, while there's still time to fix it.
1. Elmo Costume With Red Fuzzy Outfit
Elmo is the costume I see most at the door, and the homemade ones often look better than the bought ones. A red fuzzy hoodie with red joggers or leggings is the base. Sew the white felt eyes and the orange oval nose onto the hood, and keep both light, since a heavy nose drags the hood down over the eyes. A red tutu gives little ones something to twirl. Red hair spray is fun, but on light or bleached hair it can leave a pink tint for days, so I'd tuck hair under the hood instead. Rosy cheeks and a bit of red shimmer are enough on the face. Red sneakers or fuzzy boot covers, plus a clear plastic fishbowl with a paper Dorothy inside, and he's done.
2. Cookie Monster Costume With Cookie Props
Cookie Monster can come entirely out of a casual wardrobe. Start with a cobalt-blue sweatshirt and pants, then add a fuzzy vest or a blue boa for the shaggy texture. The googly eyes go on a blue beanie, tipped at slightly different angles, because his wild look is all in the eyes. A short blue wig is optional. Keep makeup to blue liner, soft blue shadow and a pink lip. Blue sneakers carry the colour down. For props, an empty cookie jar and big cardboard cookies are better than real ones, both for allergies at school parades and because crumbs grind straight into fleece.
3. Big Bird Costume With Yellow Feather Details
Big Bird reads best when the feathers are placed, not piled on. A yellow long-sleeve top, yellow leggings and a feather-trimmed skirt or shorts give the shape. Buy feathers sold as low-shed trim and attach them around the shoulders and waist only; a body covered in loose craft feathers leaves a trail through the house. A yellow hood or headband with felt eyes and a soft orange beak finishes the head. Yellow shadow, peach blush and mascara keep the face friendly. Pink-and-white striped tights give his legs, and orange sneakers or shoe covers handle the feet. A small plush bird or an alphabet card is a prop a child can actually hold all night.
4. Oscar The Grouch Costume With Trash Can Prop
Oscar is a great pick for the kid who likes to be grumpy on purpose. A green fuzzy sweater and relaxed green pants form the base. Instead of a full can, a grey foam ring around the waist suggests the rim without making him too wide for doorways. A green beanie with thick black brows and big felt eyes gives the face while leaving vision clear. Tousled green spray, grey shadow and heavy brows add to the scowl, though green spray is the colour most likely to stain fair hair. Grey high-tops tie in with the rim. A silver bucket with a recycling symbol makes a practical candy bucket, and a few clean paper scraps tucked into the ring add the joke.
5. Abby Cadabby Costume With Fairy Wings
Abby Cadabby is the costume I steer fairy-loving kids toward when they also want to be a Muppet. A blue puff-sleeve dress with a layered purple and pink tulle skirt is the base. Striped leggings underneath add warmth and coverage for an outdoor route. See-through fairy wings and a soft star-tipped wand finish her. Her high pigtails can come from a pink-and-purple wig or a few coloured clip-ins in natural hair. Lavender shadow, pink blush, a few face gems and gloss are plenty. Ballet flats suit indoors; for walking, purple sneakers. Fix the wings with elastic straps that cross at the chest, otherwise they slide off one shoulder within a block.
6. Bert Costume With Striped Sweater
Bert is a good costume for the grown-up who wants to stay comfortable from dinner to the last doorbell. Wear a vertically striped sweater in yellow, orange, blue and green with dark green trousers. White sneakers or loafers both work, depending on how casual the evening is. The tall head comes from a yellow beanie with one black tuft, round felt eyes, a thick brow and an orange felt nose; stuff the top of the beanie lightly so it stands up instead of slumping. Natural hair tucks underneath, so no wig. Defined brows and golden shadow are enough makeup. His paper clips in a clear box or a toy pigeon, a nod to Bernice, are both easy to carry.
7. Ernie Costume With Orange Hoodie
Ernie is easy to build around an orange hoodie and jeans. Layer a red, blue, yellow and white striped sweater over the hoodie, or paint stripes onto a cheap sweatshirt with fabric paint, using masking tape to keep the lines straight. Red sneakers pick up the colours and still handle a long walk. An orange beanie with round eyes, black hair and a red felt nose makes the face. Keep the real face visible with peach blush and a big grin rather than orange paint, which rubs onto the hoodie collar within an hour. A rubber duck is the prop. Tuck the sweater into the jeans with a black belt if you like a neater outline.
8. Bert And Ernie Couple Costume
Bert and Ernie are about the most dependable duo on Halloween, because the stripes do the talking. Bert gets the vertical stripes, green pants, loafers and a tall yellow beanie with dark brows. Ernie gets horizontal stripes, jeans, red sneakers and an orange beanie with a round red nose. Use golden tones on Bert's face and peachy orange on Ernie's, and keep both light. A toy pigeon for Bert and a rubber duck for Ernie are the props. Beanies give the character heads without masks, which matters when one of the pair is a parent juggling a flashlight, a candy bag and a toddler.
9. Count Von Count Costume With Purple Cape
The Count is the gentlest vampire you can send a child out in. A black suit or black pants, a crisp white shirt, a patterned vest and a purple cape make the formal base, with a red bow tie and a small medal for colour. Cushioned black sneakers beat dress shoes for a long route. A widow's peak from temporary dark colour or a short black wig sets up the face. Lavender makeup, pointed brows and a little purple shadow do the rest; keep it soft and he stays friendly, not frightening. I'd leave out costume fangs for most kids, since they make talking and eating candy awkward. Foam numbers or a counting card are safe props, and counting candy at each house becomes part of the fun.
10. Grover Costume With Blue Fuzzy Hoodie
Grover is the cosiest monster for a cold night. A royal-blue fuzzy hoodie and joggers are the base, with bright pink details. Large white eyes, thick black pupils and a rounded pink felt nose go on the hood. Add a little blue faux fur at the cuffs for texture without overheating. Blue sneakers or slip-ons with removable blue fabric covers finish the feet. A short blue wig is optional, since the hood already makes the head. Blue liner, pink blush and natural lips cover the makeup. Carry a light serving tray to nod to Grover the waiter, with foam cups and plates glued down so nothing slides off on the walk.
11. Super Grover Costume With Hero Cape
Super Grover is the switch for kids who want a hero but love Grover. Use a blue jumpsuit or a fuzzy sweatshirt and pants, then layer a silver foam chest piece over it. The red cape should stop above the ankles, because kids run in capes and step on long ones. Make the silver helmet from craft foam, warmed lightly with a hair dryer so it curves around the head, and add big eyes and a pink nose. Blue sneakers keep it comfortable; silver shoe covers look sharper for photos. Blue shadow, pink blush and a little silver shimmer go on the face. A light foam shield with a letter emblem is the last piece. Skip rigid armour entirely, so he can sit in the car and climb porch steps.
12. Rosita Costume With Turquoise Dress
Rosita's teal is the hardest colour on this list to match, so collect the pieces in one shopping trip and compare them in daylight. Start with a teal or turquoise dress, then add a fuzzy cropped jacket or soft vest in a close shade. Purple leggings add contrast and warmth, and turquoise sneakers keep it walkable. A long teal wig with loose waves or a few blue-green clip-ins in natural hair gives her hair. A headband with soft monster ears, big eyes and a rounded nose sets up the character without covering the face. Turquoise shadow, lavender liner and rosy blush suit her. For the guitar, a cardboard or inflatable one is light enough for small arms.
13. Zoe Costume With Pink Tutu
Zoe works best on the kid who never stops moving. Build it on a bright orange top and matching leggings, add a pink ballet tutu at the waist, and repeat the pink in sneakers, wristbands or a bow. An orange fuzzy hood with large eyes and a round pink nose makes her recognisable. A high ponytail tucks under the hood, or a short orange wig with colourful clips shows below it. Coral shadow, pink blush and a hint of shimmer are enough. Ballet slippers look sweet in photos but have no grip on wet steps, so I switch to sneakers before heading out. A soft dance ribbon or a little ballet bag is her prop.
14. Mr. Snuffleupagus Costume With Brown Faux Fur
Snuffy is cosy and huge, and the trunk is the part that needs thought. Start with a loose brown fleece jumpsuit or an oversized fuzzy sweater with matching pants. Stuff a long fabric trunk lightly and attach it to a brown hood so it hangs forward and clear of the eyes; overstuffed trunks pull the hood down. Add big felt eyes, floppy ears and short fur brows. Brown sneakers with matching covers give an animal outline while keeping grip. Bronze shadow, soft brows and warm blush are all the makeup. A felt tail fastened with a snap can come off for car seats. On a child, keep the trunk and tail feather-light.
15. Telly Monster Costume With Triangle Prop
Telly's magenta pops in any group photo. A raspberry or magenta fuzzy hoodie with matching pants is the base, with wide eyes, a rounded orange nose and raised dark brows on the hood. Gloves and purple sneakers carry the colour, though I'd only add gloves for kids old enough not to need help with candy wrappers. A short magenta wig can peek out from the hood, or use temporary colour. Berry shadow, orange-toned blush and carefully drawn brows give his worried look without overdoing it. The big foam triangle is the prop, and it's light and simple enough for school parades.
16. Baby Bear Costume With Plaid Overalls
Baby Bear is a soft, simple build that suits toddlers well. Layer a brown long-sleeve shirt, a fuzzy brown vest and plaid overalls. Add a brown ear headband or a hood with rounded ears, felt eyes and a small tan muzzle. Natural brown hair can show, or use a short fuzzy headpiece. Warm brown shadow, peach blush and a few freckles keep the face gentle. Brown sneakers or lace-up boots with non-slip soles finish the feet, and on a toddler I'd choose overalls with snaps so diaper changes don't mean undressing the whole costume. A picture book, an alphabet card or a foam porridge bowl makes a storybook prop.
17. Prairie Dawn Costume With Pink Dress
Prairie Dawn suits kids who want a costume they can wear to school without a hood or paint. A pink collared dress with short puff sleeves over white tights is the base. Black Mary Janes look right, but black strap sneakers are kinder on a long day. A short golden-yellow wig in two tidy pigtails with pink bows handles the hair, and a pink headband with small felt eyes helps if people need a hint. Pale pink shadow, rosy cheeks and a natural lip keep makeup delicate. A clipboard, sheet music or a rolled paper script suits her organised personality, and a cardigan on top doesn't break the pink-and-yellow colours at all.
18. Julia Costume With Green Dress
Julia is a thoughtful costume for kids who find Halloween loud and scratchy. A simple green dress over a white short-sleeve shirt, lavender leggings and purple sneakers let her move freely. A straight orange-red wig at shoulder length works if she enjoys wigs; if not, a temporary colour spray or just natural hair is fine. A small green headband with soft felt eyes links the outfit to the puppet without a mask. Peach blush, a little green shadow and nothing more is plenty. Noise-reducing headphones fit the character and also make a busy street easier for a child who needs them. A paintbrush and a cardboard palette finish her creative side.
19. Rudy Costume With Orange And Blue Outfit
Rudy mixes warm orange fur with cool blue clothes, which makes the outfit easy to assemble. Start with an orange hoodie and joggers, then add a blue vest or sleeveless sweatshirt on top. Large eyes, a rounded pink nose and a small tuft of orange faux fur go on the hood. Orange sneakers with blue laces tie the shoes to the vest, a small detail kids love. Hair can hide under the hood or take a washable orange colour where it shows. Copper shadow, rosy blush and pink lip balm cover the face. A toy airplane, a building block or a small backpack makes a prop, and every decoration on the hood should be soft enough to sleep on in the car home.
20. Gonger Costume With Chef Outfit
Gonger blends bright pink with a chef's kit, and kids who like helping in the kitchen get the joke right away. Wear a vivid pink fuzzy shirt and pants under a white chef's jacket or apron. A tall fabric chef hat carries the felt eyes, thick brows and rounded nose, so the hat is the head; pin it to a headband or it tips forward. A short pink wig or pink spray can show at the edges. Pink sneakers and white socks handle a long route. Hot-pink shadow, expressive brows and warm blush give him life. A light mixing bowl and foam spoon, or a cardboard tablet with pretend ingredients drawn on, are fun props.
21. Herry Monster Costume With Purple Fur
Herry Monster is a fun pick for the strongest kid in the family, or the one who wants to be. This version uses a deep purple fuzzy sweatshirt and pants with a blue vest to break up the colour. Worth knowing: on the show Herry is closer to blue with a purple nose, so a fan might want to flip the colours. A purple hood with wide eyes, a blue felt nose and thick black brows makes the head. A shaggy wig helps indoors if the hood comes down. Plum shadow, blue liner and soft brows keep the face mostly natural. Foam dumbbells made from painted cardboard tubes and foam circles show off his strength without any real weight.
22. Two-Headed Monster Duo Costume
This take on the Two-Headed Monster keeps the two people separate, which I prefer for anything outdoors. Both wear purple fuzzy hoodies and pants, with different patterned vests so each half has its own personality. One hood gets short purple hair and raised brows; the other a slightly different eye shape and expression. Plum shadow, lavender blush and natural lips go on both. Matching purple sneakers tie the pair together. Each person carries half of a foam word card or puzzle piece that only makes sense side by side. Siblings who argue constantly are, frankly, perfect casting.
23. Yip Yip Martian Duo Costume
The Yip Yips are a sweet pair for two kids, one in bright pink and one in sky blue. Each wears a loose fleece poncho or a column-shaped tunic with a wide black mesh mouth panel below the eyes, and that mesh is how they see, so test it in the dark before you leave. Big white foam eyes on bendy stalks sit above the head, plus short curled antennae. Leggings and sneakers must stay visible under the roomy tunic so nobody trips on steps. Use pink or blue wigs only if hair shows around the opening. Colourful liner and cheek shimmer are enough, since most of the face is hidden. A cardboard radio or telephone suits the Martians' fascination with household objects.
24. Honker Costume With Colorful Horn Prop
A Honker is a good choice for the kid who has done Elmo three years running. Wear a bright fuzzy bodysuit or matching sweatshirt and pants in purple, blue or pink. Attach soft round eyes and a long curved felt nose to the hood, high enough that the mouth and vision stay clear. A short wig in the same colour, bright shadow and round blush complete the face. Sneakers in the base colour keep the outline clean. A squeeze horn is the signature prop, and honking is how Honkers talk; just agree in advance on where honking is allowed. Fuzzy gloves are a nice final touch for older kids.
25. Elmo And Tango Couple Costume
Elmo and Tango make a cute pairing for a parent and child, two friends or a person and their dog. Elmo wears a red fuzzy hoodie, red pants, an orange nose headpiece, rosy makeup and red sneakers. Tango gets a golden-brown fleece top, matching leggings, floppy ears, a blue collar and brown shoes, with soft golden shadow and a small painted nose. If a real dog is joining, give it a comfortable red bandana and nothing more; dogs need their ears, eyes and paws free. A soft leash prop between the two people links the looks and makes the pairing obvious at a glance.
26. Cookie Monster And Cookie Couple Costume
A Cookie Monster and his cookie is the kind of joke that gets laughs at every door. One person wears the blue fuzzy hoodie, blue pants, googly-eye beanie, blue makeup and sneakers. The other wears a tan tunic or a round foam sandwich board covered in dark brown felt chips. Cut the board no wider than the shoulders, or the cookie gets stuck in doorways and bumps every passer-by. Brown leggings and tan sneakers go underneath. A tan beanie or simple bun, bronze shadow and a few round brown freckles finish the cookie. A light cookie jar can travel between them. Don't fasten the two together, especially in a busy neighbourhood.
27. Oscar And Trash Bag Couple Costume
Oscar and his trash bag is cheap, funny and easy to make the week of Halloween. Oscar wears a green fuzzy sweater, green pants, an eye-and-eyebrow beanie, grey sneakers and a light can ring. The partner wears a black tunic shaped like a tied bag over black leggings. Make that bag from shiny fabric, never real plastic, which traps heat and is a suffocation risk around small children. Felt wrappers and paper scraps on the tunic add detail. Because both costumes are dark, I put a strip of reflective tape on each for walking after sunset. Green liner and dark brows for Oscar, silver shadow for the bag, and a small recycling bin becomes the candy bucket.
28. Sesame Street Family Costume
A whole-family Sesame Street look lets everyone pick a colour that suits them. One person is Elmo in red, one is Cookie Monster in blue, one is Big Bird in yellow and one is Oscar in green. Matching sweatshirts and pants make each base, with beanies carrying felt eyes, noses, brows or beaks. Colourful liner and cheek accents beat full face paint, especially for the kids. Cushioned sneakers in each person's colour keep everyone walking. Give each character one small prop: fishbowl, cookie jar, alphabet card or silver bucket. Using the same fuzzy texture on every outfit is what makes four separate costumes look like a set.
29. Sesame Street Group Costume
A big group can take on Elmo, Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Oscar, Abby Cadabby, Grover, Bert, Ernie and the Count. Give each person a clear colour so the characters still read when the group scatters across a street. Sweatshirts, jumpsuits, dresses or suits are comfortable bases, and repeating fuzzy trim across every look pulls the group together. Beanies and headbands are easier than masks and leave room for coordinating shadow. Match shoes to each base where you can. Small props like cookies, numbers, a wand, a rubber duck and alphabet cards add personality. Before the group photo, arrange everyone by colour so the brights sit apart.
30. Sesame Street Sign Costume With Character Friends
Turn the neighbourhood itself into the costume by putting one person in the Sesame Street sign and everyone else in characters. The sign wearer layers a green foam signboard over a white shirt, black pants and green sneakers, with a small green cap and fresh natural makeup. A short foam lamp post is a fun extra if it stays light. Around this centre, add red, blue, yellow and green monsters in fuzzy hoodies with character headpieces and props. The sign gives the group a focal point without needing another character, which helps when one family member doesn't want to be a monster. Keep the board narrow enough for front doors and crowded hallways.
Trick-or-Treat Night in a Fleece Monster Suit
Fuzzy costumes are wonderfully warm, which is the problem as often as the solution. A child in a fleece hoodie, fleece pants and a hood can overheat fast while running between houses, then get chilly standing still at the end of the street.
- Dress in thin layers underneath rather than one thick one, so a long-sleeve tee can come off in the car if they're flushed.
- Check that the hood can be pushed back easily. Kids who are hot pull at the face first.
- The Count, Oscar's trash bag and any dark purple monster disappear after sunset. Add reflective tape to the back of a cape, a bucket or a shoe, and give the child a small glow stick or flashlight.
- Turn the prop into the candy bucket when you can: the fishbowl, the cookie jar, Oscar's bin. One less thing to carry means fewer dropped props on the pavement.
- Pack a spare pair of socks. Fuzzy shoe covers soak through on wet grass.
Getting Blue and Green Hair Spray Out by Morning
Temporary colour sprays are a big part of many looks here, and they're fun, but they behave differently from what the can suggests. They're designed to wash out, yet on blonde, grey or bleached hair, blue and green can leave a tint that lasts through a wash or two. Fabric picks it up too: hoodie collars, car headrests and pillowcases.
I spray outdoors or in a well-aired room, with an old towel around the shoulders and a hand shielding the child's eyes and face. Let it dry fully before the hood goes on. Before bed, brush out as much as you can, then wash twice with a regular shampoo; a clarifying shampoo helps on light hair. Put an old pillowcase on the bed that night in case any colour is left. If your child has very light hair or sensitive skin, a coloured beanie or a cheap wig gives the same effect with none of the cleanup.
Which Monster Is Ringing Your Doorbell This Year?
Sesame Street gives every member of a family a character, from a single Elmo to a full block of monsters. Fuzzy hoodies, sweatpants, dresses, decorated beanies and good sneakers do most of the work, and felt eyes, light props, simple wigs and soft makeup add the personality, no mascot suit needed. Match the character to the child, not the other way round: the busy one gets Zoe, the sensitive one Julia, the grump Oscar. Then adjust the layers for the weather and the length of your route. Clear character details and a costume they can forget they're wearing are what make it a good night.
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