For some parents, Halloween can be a very exhausting holiday. They may purchase a costume at the last minute, coax their child into it, and listen to him complain about the stuffy mask, the itchy dress, the floppy gloves, or whatever else is bothering him. An uncomfortable costume can lead to an irritable, complaining child which can make for an irritable, complaining parent.

Halloween costumes can be less problematic if the child likes his costume. For example, a little boy will probably be more agreeable to wearing a Spiderman costume if he likes Spiderman. Or little girl might enjoy being a fairy for Halloween if she likes fairies. When choosing a costume for your child, pick a theme in which they are interested.

Second, ensure that the costume is not uncomfortable. Try not to buy a costume with a mask, because masks tend to be stuffy and not fit correctly. Face paint is a better option. Make sure the costume material is not thick or itchy. Even if the princess dress is beautiful, your little girl may not want to wear it if it has scratchy fabric underneath.

Third, cater to your individual child’s requirements. All children are different. While one child may not mind having his face painted to match his Spiderman costume, another may cry if her mother paints her face like a bunny. Know what your child does and does not like before buying him a Halloween costume.

If your child is too young to walk, it may be too early to dress him for Halloween. A three-month-old dressed as a Tootsie roll may be cute, but clothes that feel strange to a baby may upset him and make him whiny. In most cases, it depends on the temperament of the baby to determine whether or not a Halloween costume is appropriate. Most infant costumes are not elaborate, but some costumes are so uncomfortable that any baby wearing them will be cranky.

When choosing a costume for your child, keep in mind that most children simply want the costume to be comfortable and fun. In most cases, you can find a costume that is comfortable for your child and still looks great. A comfortable, cute costume is one way to make Halloween more enjoyable for both parent and child.