What if my child refuses to wear his costume on Halloween?


Holidays such as Halloween can disrupt routines that are a comfort to young children. This may lead to a child not wanting to participate in festivities, which may include a refusal to wear a costume. It may be helpful to ask your child whether there is something about the costume that bothers him, and to see if it is something that you can fix, such as removing abrasive tags. A refusal to wear a costume is also a good opportunity to provide options for your child such as wearing the hat and pants rather than not wearing the costume at all. It can be frustrating to have made or purchased a costume for your child only to have him refuse to wear it, but your child may be willing to wear it on a less exciting day, allowing you a chance for that photo opportunity.

Jennie Ito, Ph.D.

Child Development Expert

Jennie Ito is a mother of two and a child development consultant who specializes in children’s play and toys. Before becoming a consultant for LeapFrog, she was an intern at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, and later worked as a content expert for the Association of Children’s Museum’s “Playing for Keeps” Play Initiative. Jennie earned her doctorate degree in developmental psychology at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada.