For those of us who celebrate, Halloween holds some precious memories. Whether it be dressing up as our favorite characters, trick-or-treating with our loved ones, or winning a costume contest! In honor of All Hallow’s Eve, the Bookstr team is getting nostalgic and sharing their favorite childhood costumes they wore many spooky moons ago. Read on to revisit these sugary, simpler times with us.
Sakura from Cardcaptor Sakura
“I was essentially cosplaying before I even knew what that was.”
A lot of my childhood costumes were sewn by my grandma; one I remember being particularly excited about was from when I was around 10-12. I had a Cardcaptor Sakura doll that came with two outfits — a cheerleading uniform and one of her battle costumes — and I asked my grandma to make me a replica of the latter. I happened also to have Sakura’s magic staff that I could pair with the costume. This was back when anime wasn’t mainstream, so owning merch from a series I liked was one thing but getting to dress up as one of the characters was a whole other level. I was essentially cosplaying before I even knew what that was. On Halloween night, I knew nobody would recognize my costume, so I carried my matching doll in my pumpkin bucket for people to go, “Oh, you’re dressed as your doll!” Yes, yes I was.
Gabriela Collazo, Editorial
Perdy from 101 Dalmatians
“It was the last year I went trick-or-treating with my grandfather.”
My favorite Halloween costume as a kid was when I dressed up as Perdy from 101 Dalmatians. I remember being so excited about the black spots and floppy ears, feeling like I was stepping right into the movie. But it wasn’t just the costume that made it special — it was the last year I went trick-or-treating with my grandfather. He always had this contagious enthusiasm, and that year, he was just as excited as I was: walking with me from house to house, making the night feel magical. Looking back, that costume holds so much meaning because it reminds me of those precious moments we shared before life started to change.
Freya, Social Media
Frankie from Monster High
“I was a very different person compared to my peers growing up. I still am in the weirdest ways imaginable, but with that costume, I wasn’t different.”
I loved Monster High and had all the dolls I could imagine — even though I only played with a few, either because I liked their hair or the way their hands looked. All in all, I liked Frankie’s style, and it was the only instance where I was able to coordinate costumes with a friend. She was Draculaura because she liked hearts, vampires, and pink.
I don’t remember much of that Halloween except having fun being someone else who was actually cool, had a sense of style and all the girls loved at the time. I was a very different person compared to my peers growing up. I still am in the weirdest ways imaginable, but with that costume, I wasn’t different; I was one of them, and we all had our flaws, or in this case “freaky flaws.”
Abigail, Graphics
Yoda from Star Wars
“When the teens saw me, they bowed to me, and because I was so little, I was convinced they thought I was the real Yoda.”
My favorite Halloween costume I wore as a kid was when I dressed up as Yoda from Star Wars. I remember when I was walking around trick-or-treating with my older brother and my mom, we came across two teenagers with Jedi costumes. When the teens saw me, they bowed to me, and because I was so little, I was convinced they thought I was the real Yoda. This was a happy childhood moment and made it one of my favorite Halloween memories as a kid.
Louis, Graphics
A Ladybug
“Not only is this my favorite costume but it’s also one of my favorite funny memories because I had no clue I was even part of a costume contest.”
My most iconic costume was from the year I was six and was brought along for my brother’s Boy Scout Halloween event. I was a ladybug, and while I didn’t appreciate the costume at the time for what it was, I now realize how rarely I’ve seen people choose ladybugs — it’s always butterflies or bees. So, looking back, it’s no surprise that I won the costume contest.
Not only is this my favorite costume but it’s also one of my favorite funny memories because I had no clue I was even part of a costume contest. I’m guessing they just pulled people from the crowd, and it was probably hilarious to watch. They brought me, a shy six-year-old, up on the stage and asked me my name, what I was dressed up as, etc. But I just ignored them and started asking for my parents because I had no clue what was going on. I imagine if I witnessed this happening as an adult, it would be an adorable spectacle all around, which is why it’s endearing to look back on.
Emma Mercer, Graphics
Party Princess
“Maybe not the most original costume, but who doesn’t love being a princess?”
Like many other kids, I spent one Halloween as royalty. It was a pretty impressive outfit: a glittery pink gown (with fur-cuffed sleeves!); a felt “Party Princess” hat/tiara combo; and a bunch of jewelry to finish it all off. Maybe not the most original costume, but who doesn’t love being a princess? It’s one of the few costumes from my childhood to be immortalized in a photo, so I have a special fondness for it. Plus, that year I had more family that lived closer by, so a lot of us kids were able to get together and trick-or-treat as one big group, and that’s fun to look back on.
Abby Caswell, Editorial
The Mad Hatter from Alice in Wonderland
“I felt so iconic and unique while wearing it during school and trick-or-treating.”
For some reason, I begged my mom to get me this specific one I saw at a store, and she caved. It was my favorite costume of all time and I felt so iconic and unique while wearing it during school and trick-or-treating. If I remember correctly, I was also the Cheshire Cat the year before or after. As you can tell, I was and still am obsessed with Alice in Wonderland even though I never dressed up as Alice.
Dunia Matta, Editorial
Daphne from Scooby-Doo
“I think my mom made the costume, but I don’t remember for sure… I was adorable, and that’s all that matters.”
Little 5-year-old me looked so cute in a little Daphne costume! I loved her, and since we had similar hair colors, I wanted to dress up as her for Halloween. I think my mom made the costume, but I don’t remember for sure. I don’t remember anything else, and I probably wouldn’t even remember that I ever dressed up as Daphne if it wasn’t for my mom telling me or having seen pictures myself. But I was adorable, and that’s all that matters.
Danielle Tomlinson, Editorial
Halloween is a chance to be different and allow our kid-hearts creative control. What was your favorite costume growing up? Whatever it was, we hope you had the best time in it. May your Halloween still be merry today.
Want more kid-friendly Halloween content? Click here for a list of awesome middle-grade horror books!
For other horror recs, check out our YA Thrillers, Mysteries, and Horrors bookshelf on Bookshop.org.
