26 Cute and Scary Halloween Costumes Tweens Will Deem Cool
Your 11- and 12-year-old's Halloween costume woes are over.
It's hard to be at that in-between age where your tweens are on the fence about going trick-or-treating this year. But you can help them make the most of potentially their last Halloween spent saying "trick-or-treat," or boost their confidence at their first Halloween costume party by pitching one of these cool tween Halloween costumes. From effortlessly cute DIY costumes to scary ensembles, these ideas cover every category and preference your tween may have for their ideal October 31 look.
Your daughter or son will feel cool as they make their entrance at the Halloween school dance or as they walk up the steps to the first house on their trick-or-treating route. A lot of these tween Halloween costume ideas are also gender-neutral, and they all have your budget and time in mind. Plus, some of these ideas would work well as a family or group costume — whether you want to go out as a family of vampires or the kids are looking to band together on Halloween night in the most epic way. No matter how your teenager plans to spend the fall holiday, these tween Halloween costume ideas will have them excited to set out on their spooky adventure.
Jellyfish
Your soon-to-be-teen will get a kick out of this jellyfish costume, and you'll love that it's much easier to make than it looks.
Get the Jellyfish tutorial at Hello, Wonderful.
Astronaut
Your preteen will be ready to explore space (and look cool while doing it) when they dress up in this orange jumpsuit.
Lawn Girl
For a look that's guaranteed to win your tween best costume, dress 'em up as a front lawn with some astroturf and a plain white T-shirt.
Get the Lawn Girl tutorial.
Witch
There's a reason why the witch Halloween costume never goes out of style, and your preteen will likely jump at the chance to channel their witchy side. You just need a black dress, purple-and-black-striped tights, and a matching striped hat. Don't forget a broomstick!
Audrey Hepburn
If they're going through a Breakfast at Tiffany's phase, then find them a black dress and shoes to pair with this all-in-one accessory set that gives total main character vibes.
Rag Doll
The hardest part of this tween costume is perfecting the eye makeup. Other than that, go wild with the frilly accessories and curled pigtails.
Little Red Riding Hood
Little Red Riding Hood may be a kid's fairytale, but there is nothing childish about taking on the big bad wolf. That said, your tween will rock this costume whether they haven't read the tale in a bit or are still obsessed.
Pirate
Want a tween costume that won't cost you too many doubloons? Have them dress up as a pirate. They probably already own a black-and-white-striped shirt and some white pants, so you just need a hat, eyepatch, and hook hand to complete the look.
Lego Person
Even if your tween has recently decided they're too old to play with Legos, they'll still love dressing up as a life-sized Lego figurine.
Get the Lego Person tutorial at Dukes & Duchesses.
Cat
If you've got a preteen with a passion for animal prints, then a cat costume is the way to go. You just need a leopard- or cheetah-print ensemble, cat ears, and some creative face paint.
Unicorn
Believe what you want, but on Halloween, unicorns are totally real (and really fun to dress up as). Just pair a rainbow tank top with a tulle skirt and add a unicorn headband.
Clark Kent
Your tween will look just like Superman in disguise with a Superman T-shirt under a button-up and a pair of thick-frame glasses.
Pilot
From Amelia Earhart to Carol Danvers, pilots are eternally cool and really easy to be (or, you know, pretend to be for Halloween). Just get your tween a faux leather jacket and an aviator fleece hat with goggles.
King
Your tween will love the chance to feel like royalty for the night, and you'll love that this costume isn't a royal pain in the butt to make, especially since it only requires a red shirt, a red cape, and a crown.
Scientist
It doesn't take much to put together a super smart scientist costume. Grab an oversized white button down shirt, a tie, and a couple lab accessories and your tween will be good to go.
Sock Hop Dancer
With a poodle skirt and some saddle shoes, your tween will be ready to rock around the clock all night long.
Mime
Chances are that your tween won't be able to keep quiet the whole night, but they'll still look the part of a mime, anyway. Just get them a black derby hat and striped shirt and add a little face paint.
Robot
In addition to being environmentally friendly, this up-cycled robot costume will also earn the approval of your teen.
Get the Robot tutorial at Dukes & Duchesses.
Magician
Let your tween put on a show as a magician, complete with a bow tie, cape, top hat, and magic wand.
Donut
If your tween is a lover of all things sweet, then they donut want to miss out on this delectable costume.
Get the Donut tutorial at Studio DIY.
Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the Updates Editor at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she optimizes lifestyle content across verticals. Prior to this role, she was an Editorial Assistant for Woman’s Day where she covered everything from gift guides to recipes. She also has experience fact checking commerce articles and holds a B.A. in English and Italian Studies from Connecticut College.
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