psst… These costumes are still adorbs but some are no longer available, see my 2016 update on 15 Toddler Halloween costumes from pajamas.
Pajamas are my very favorite Halloween costume base. There, I said it. For about $20 you buy something that your child can sleep in for a year — what a value! Here are a few of my favorites for this year. Buy ’em all and never run out of ideas in your costume box!
If you’re looking for adorable costumes that totally give you your money’s worth, let me remind you about PAJAMAS! What else is comfy, cute, and wearable all year round? Here are 16 more sleepwear-costume ideas for your little one:
Bumble Bee. Pick up these Leveret Black & Yellow Striped Jammies for only $13 on amazon. Pair with wings and bobbly headband (which will be a costume-box mainstay for years!). Sawyer was a bee last year (pictured above) and has worn his yellow stripey pajamas at least 50 times since.
Clown. Julian was a clown in pajamas like these multi-colored ones from Leveret or polka-dotted ones from Old Navy. Just add a clown wig and a jumbo collar to any set of colorful pajamas. Perfect for a toddler on up through a grade schooler. See the quick clown collar tutorial.
Skeleton. Our go-to pajama-based costume is this skeleton from Carter’s or similar from Old Navy. About $10 or $12, it never goes out of style. Not only have all five of our toddlers worn this costume, but my family’s Halloween zombie decoration wore it last year, too. It also comes in purple, but why?
A treasure map. Let the little one be the map to buried treasure while you play an easy pirate. City Threads has other creative patterns that might sync up with your costume such as cupcakes (you a baker?) or rainbows (you a Leprechaun or storm cloud?).
Brobee & Plex. If you’re not afraid of licensed characters, this Yo Gabba Gabba pair and a spare works twins or buddies for about $20. See also Whitney’s DIY toddler Foofa costume.
Batman and Robin. Done and done. Perfect for multiple kids (or undecided superheroes) is this Batman and Robin 4-piece. Just add nothing and you’re good to go, or pair with a wicked cool mask and cape. I hated these Superman pajamas when Holden picked them out but I loved them as the simplest costume ever.
Doc McStuffins. My little guy is a big fan of “Stock McPuffins” and would probably want these Doc footie pajamas in his size. So, shhh, don’t tell him.
Bam Pow Zoiks. This Superhero lightning pattern of comic book symbols is begging to be the sidekick to your superhero family costume. You would make a fantastic Wonder Woman, am I right? Please do it and send me a photo!
Wonder Woman. Speaking of Wonder Woman, while I don’t LOVE this Wonder Woman pajama set, it is a tasteful toddler-friendly version of my favorite superhero!
Kermit the Frog or Mike from Monster’s Inc. Take these lime green footie pajamas and add a simple accessory for an easy costume. For Kermie, make a collar and eyeballs out of felt so it looks like this. For Mike, you need a big white eyeball on the belly.
Christmas Elf. These green stripe pajamas can turn your child into a Christmas elf as soon as you find a funny elf hat. If it feels a little incomplete, you can add a DIY red vest. Boom. These jammies also work for your holiday card photo shoot which you should totally already be working on.
Ninja Turtle. If Teenage Mutants are allowed your house, check out these choices: 2 piece TMNT PJs or footie pajamas with a cape. I’m a fan of the simpler ones, but I don’t have to wear them. Upgrade with a decent backpack to form the shell (something like this for about $20). Combat gear optional.
Zebra. What do you guys think? This zebra print seems like it could pass for an easy costume. Put some kitty ears and leave the house? Other near-animal-costumes include this pink leopard.
Pumpkin. Totally generic. I mean a classic. For about $15, your kiddo can wear these Jack O’Lantern jammies until you get sick of seeing orange. I’d probably pair with solid orange leggings or pants instead of the print. Maybe you can just throw an orange blanket over your child’s lap?
Leopard. Leopard jammies + Leopard ears and tail make a fun and simple costume for your wild child.
If you’re looking for adorable costumes that totally give you your money’s worth, let me turn your attention to PAJAMAS! What else is comfy, cute, and wearable all year round? The pajamas pictured above were from last year at Gap and they’re not for sale this year (bummer!). Here are 15 other ideas for you:
Ballerina. Just add a tutu to these simple ballerina jammies from Old Navy. Only $12.
Bumble Bee. Pick up these Leveret Black & Yellow Striped Jammies for only $12 on amazon. Pair with wings and bobbly headband (which will be a costume-box mainstay for years!).
Batman. Done and done. Just add nothing and you’re good to go, or pair with a wicked cool mask and cape. I hated these Superman pajamas when Holden picked them out but I loved them as the simplest costume ever. Sorry, girls, the Wonder Woman costumes are all skanky!
Scary ghost. Boo! For about $20, your kiddo can wear these Chevron-face ghoul pajamas until you get tired of this cute face.
Christmas Elf. These elf longjohn jammies by Hanna Andersson (organic cotton) double for holiday use. For $42, they ain’t cheap but they will last forever. Julian was Santa Claus one year and this woulda been great if his sister wanted to match. (Old Navy has Santa version of these for less than $20!)
Blackjack dealer. Formal tux with skull details lend themselves to many clever costume ideas. See our bald baby costume ideas for how to pull off Daddy Warbucks or Mr. Monopoly.
Army officer. These military uniform pajamas are formal without being stuffy. About $25.
Turtle. This turtle in pajama form is naked so you should find a decent backpack to form the shell (something like this but don’t pay $34) and you’re ready for action.
Speckle spotted, polka-dotted animal. What do you guys think? This pajama set seems like an animal print to me. Put some kitty ears and leave the house? Other near-animal-costumes include this tiger.
DJ. For the hip but casual preschooler, these DJ pjs by Old Navy are hilarious. I mean hella tight. About $25. Mic drop and I’m out.
The updated version of this post has jammies you can actually buy: Toddler Halloween Costumes from Pajamas.
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Disclosure: affiliate links are in this post.
Do you have any other favorite pajamas-based costumes? What else could you add to turn jammies into a costume?
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Disclosure: affiliate links are in this post.
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