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Halloween Costumes with Baby Carriers: hope&plum's Tricks & Treats

It’s no secret that hope&plum loves Halloween. We think there’s no better time to get the whole family’s creative juices flowing. And when you have a baby, toddler, or little kid who loves to be worn in the family, you have to incorporate your carrier in some way! Whether your whole family follows a theme or you’re just looking for a creative way to carry your baby in costume, hope&plum has got you covered with our plethora of community contributed ideas for Halloween costumes with baby carriers over the years.

THE SHORT VERSION

  • Carriers and costumes go together hand in hand.
  • Some people draw inspiration from the color of their carriers.
  • Others look to fantasy and history for ideas.
  • Still others come up with a fun group costume idea and incorporate carriers in creative ways.

Using the Carrier Colors

A great place to start is to take a look at the carriers you have and see if any of the colors or patterns inspire a costume idea.

These two caregivers drew inspiration from their colorful carriers. One wearer dressed in shades of brown to match her Barley ring sling and donned a crown of leaves. Her baby transformed into a snail, snug in the carrier, with their shell on the outside of the sling. The other opted to dress as a snail to match her toddler while her baby sleeps soundly as a banana slug in her bright yellow Amber meh dai.

Keep out of the water! Shark sighting! These two caregivers became the deep blue sea for their baby sharks, but both chose different carrier colors. One uses a Fin ring sling (see what they did there?) to wear their yellow shark while the other chose a blue sling to keep with the water vibe for their little fish.

These two caregivers trekked deep into the forest to find some costume carrier inspiration. One captures the iconic toadstool with a red hat with white polka dots and white dresses. In a burnt orange Clay ring sling, she and her baby match the changing Autumn leaves. The other forms a hunting party with the cutest little camo wearer in a green Saguaro sling carrier.

This caregiver used her inspiration to travel out of this world. She matches her purple Orchid ring sling to a purple wig, dons metallic lipstick, and provides some alien antennae to her toddler snuggled up against her in their carrier.

Perfect Pairs

Some of our caregiver/baby carrier combos find inspiration in nature's pairs, and iconic duos from rhymes and art.

The natural world inspired these two caregivers and their babies to transform their carriers into costumes. The first is a flower wearing a baby bee, complete with wings on the outside of their sling. The other transformed herself and her baby into birds complete with a brown sling tree and some branches with fall leaves.

From nursery rhymes to surrealist art, these two caregivers' carrier costumes recalled iconic pairs. First is Little Bo Peep and her (unlost!) sheep, kept from wandering in a white ring sling. Then we have a reinterpretation of The Two Fridas this time with mother and daughter both dress as the famous Mexican painter and kept together with a striking yellow ring sling.

Group Costumes

One of the best parts of babywearing is how a carrier allows your littlest addition to fit right in with the rest of the family. What's the best way to add a baby into Halloween traditions? A group costume, of course. Our winner from last year unlocked this secret, and you can too!

2023's winning family transformed into a pair of chefs and their little lobsters. A gray ring sling is transformed into the pot containing one lobster.

This family is serving up sweetness dressed as a s'more. The adults are the graham crackers, sandwiching a toddler dressed as chocolate and a baby in a white sling as a marshmallow. They bring to mind cozy campfires and Autumn evening carrier snuggles.

This family captures woodland whimsy with their group carrier costume. The oldest child is the lone butterfly with three accompanying mushrooms. A Frolic ring sling completes the costume.

Baby Carrier Halloween Costume Safety

With all the spooky fun to be had on Halloween, we want to make sure we're still focused on baby's safety while babywearing. Plus, costumes can bring some specific safety concerns you may not always think of.

Babywearing safety rules: choose a T.I.C.K.S. letter to see its rule
Babywearing Safety Check T.I.C.K.S. Rules for Safe Babywearing Tap a letter to learn what it means and why it matters for your baby.
↑ Tap any letter above to see the safety rule
A caregiver wears their baby snug in a hope&plum carrier on their front

T: Tight

Your carrier should be snug enough to hug baby close to your body. A loose carrier lets baby slump down, which can block their airway.

Costumes can add extra bulk or padding, but don't let that stop you from getting a snug fit! If possible, add layers or accessories on top of or outside the carrier.

A caregiver smiles down at their baby worn on their front in a hope&plum carrier. Baby smiles back.

I: In View at All Times

You should always be able to see baby's face by glancing down. Fabric should never cover their nose or mouth.

Don't let cute costume accessories get between you and your baby's face!

A caregiver kisses the top of their baby's head who they wear on their front in a hope&plum carrier

C: Close Enough to Kiss

Baby's head should be high enough on your chest that you can tip your chin down and kiss the top of their head.

Baby should still sit high in the carrier even with their costume on. Try it before Halloween and rework your idea if you can't get baby a safe fit.

A caregiver wears an alert baby on their front in a hope&plum carrier

K: Keep Chin Off the Chest

There should always be at least two fingers' width of space between baby's chin and their chest.

Extra bulk might tip baby's head down, make it harder for them to move, or prevent an easy check in. Ensure your costume allows for this important safety check.

A close up of a newborn's c-shape while worn in a hope&plum carrier

S: Supported Back

Baby's back should be supported in its natural position, with their tummy and chest against you. Knees should sit higher than their bottom in a spread-squat (M-shape) position.

Proper positioning is still possible even with cute costumes! Test it out first so you can make edits before the big night.

HALLOWEEN HEAT WARNING: Always remember that a baby carrier counts as one layer. Adding a bulky costume plus cute accessories can turn up the heat fast. Dress baby in light layers under their costume. Check in while you're dressed up and adjust if baby shows signs that they're getting too warm.

Not sure if your fit passes the T.I.C.K.S. check? Get a free virtual fit check with our team, and we'll make sure baby is safe and comfy. Book a Free Fit Check

Halloween Costumes with Baby Carriers FAQ

Where should I start planning my Halloween costume with a baby carrier?

Start by looking at the carriers you already have! Pay attention to their bold colors or unique patterns. These could give you some costume inspiration.

Which types of carriers can I use for Halloween costumes?

Almost any carrier can be used for a Halloween costume! Make sure both you and baby will be comfortable for parties, fun events, and trick-or-treating.

How do we use a baby carrier in a family group costume?

Think about your group costume and then decide how your baby can be worn so they can participate too. Or, better yet, choose a costume for you, your baby, and your carrier and then get the rest of the family to join in!

How do I make sure my baby is safe in their Halloween costume with a baby carrier?

Follow all the same safety rules when it's not Halloween! Make sure the carrier is tied snugly with no loose fabric, you can see baby's airway, they're close enough to kiss, their chin is off their chest, and baby is supported by the carrier in an upright position.

Trick Or Treat Combine Halloween with baby carriers for a spooky good time Now that you know where to start, take stock of your current carriers with Halloween in mind. Stuck? Browse what we have to see if inspiration strikes, whether or not it's a dark and stormy night.

Meet the Author

A BIPOC straight size woman smiles at the camera while standing in profile and wearing a baby on her back in a meh dai

Jenn Tolisano

Jenn Tolisano is hope&plum's Director of Community Education & Content. She has been a babywearing educator for over ten years. Working as a high school teacher before entering the world of motherhood, she has brought her passion for education to all things baby carriers. Babywearing has been such an essential parenting tool in her household that she wants to spread the babywearing love to all families. Jenn believes that every caregiver deserves to have a baby carrier they love and feel comfortable and confident in. She hopes that her fit checks and blog-writing with hope&plum help to achieve that goal!

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A white plus size woman wears her baby on her front in a hope&plum ring sling
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