Buy a Halloween Costume? Or Boo It Yourself

Halloween isn't just about candy or things that go bump in the night anymore – it's a full-blown cultural event, with spooky season spending expected to reach a record high this year. But when it comes to Halloween costumes for 2025, more than half of parents (51.6%) are planning to trade their credit card for craft supplies. However, choosing the DIY route is driven by more than just creativity.

Key Findings

• 6 in 10 parents say current economic conditions have influenced their decision to make a DIY Halloween costume, most cited by those in Colorado, Iowa, and California

• Parents going down the DIY route will spend an average of $39.96 per child, vs. $74.37 to buy a ready-made costume

• Pokémon tops the costume charts at 9.6%, followed by unique DIY creations (8.7%). And Americans will see plenty of mini Taylor Swift and Labubu characters around on Halloween

• A staggering 81% feel pressure to create "Insta-worthy" costumes, with Idaho parents most likely to 'dress to impress'

• 80% of parents are more likely than not to raid their kids' candy stash - kindly helping them to cut back on sugar…😉

Americans Are Channeling Their Inner Crafters

With inflation still haunting household budgets, 2025's Halloween costume trends reveal a nation that's leaning more towards glue guns than a trip to buy a ready-made costume at the likes of Target or Walmart.

More than half of parents (51.6%) say they'll be making their children's costumes from scratch, while 40.8% will be shopping from what's on the store shelves. A small 7.6% will combine the two to make an outfit that's extra spooktacular.

The DIY spirit is strongest in Iowa, where 7 in 10 (71.8%) of parents say they'll be making Halloween costumes this year. Nebraska (66.7%) and Maryland (64.1%) follow closely, showing that crafty households span coast to coast.

Overall, 40 states will be brewing up something homemade this Halloween, while 10 states – including Connecticut, Idaho, and North Carolina – will be sticking to costumes that are ready-to-go.

Haunted by Costs, Inspired by Creativity

CouponBirds' newly released survey of nearly 2,000 parents found that those buying are likely to spend almost twice as much per child as those choosing the DIY Halloween costume route.

On average, parents will fork out $74.37 on something they can pick off the store shelves, versus $39.96 for craft supplies. Only 18.1% plan to spend more than $75 per child, and virtually no one anticipates breaking the $100 barrier.

Here's a look at the average spend per state.

With the cost of everything basically on the rise, it's clear that money is a major motivator in the decision to create a DIY Halloween costume.

Over a third (37.5%) cited saving money as their top reason for making a costume from scratch. And of those making costumes this year, 59% say economic conditions (think inflation, pricier groceries, and stagnant wages) have nudged them away from retailers this Halloween. This answer was most prevalent in Colorado (48.7%), Iowa (48.7%), and California (46.2%).

However, it's not all about the money. For 26.8% of parents, making enables them to create a one-off masterpiece which they and their kids can be proud of. Limited store options and crafting a higher-quality costume were cited by 9% of respondents.

Halloween Costumes Trends for 2025

When it comes to what kids want to dress up as this Halloween, the results read like a pop culture time capsule. Pokémon claims the top spot with one in 10 kids dressing up as their favorite pocket monster (9.6%), while Taylor Swift is also a fan favorite (8.2%) – the most popular costume choice in eight states: Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Mississippi, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina, plus Washington DC.

Those mischievous-looking Labubu plushies you've been seeing everywhere? They're among the top five costumes this fright night (6.9%), with the creepy-but-cute characters most likely to roam the streets of Idaho and Louisiana. Michigan is also worth a mention here; the state is the only place to pick Wednesday Addams as a top Halloween costume choice.

But it's not all out with the old and in with the new. Kids in Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, and Wisconsin will be sticking to the classic spooky costumes – think witches, werewolves, ghosts, vampires, and skeletons. Superheroes remain a popular choice too, flying high with 7.6% of the vote.

For these 11 states, it'll be a surprise on the night, as parents opt for a 'DIY unique creation':

• Vermont – 23.1%

• Massachusetts – 20.5%

• Kansas – 17.9%

• North Carolina – 15.4%

• Washington – 15.4%

• Tennessee – 15.0%

• Alaska – 12.8%

• Georgia – 12.8%

• Wyoming – 12.5%

• North Dakota – 10.3%

• Utah – 10.3%

It's not just the kids who will be dressing up on Halloween. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), spending on pet costumes is forecast at $860 million, with pumpkins, hot dogs, and bumblebees among the most popular picks.

'Insta-Worthy' Costume Pressure

If saving money is one motivator, social media is another – and it's stressing parents out.

A staggering 8 out of 10 parents admit they feel pressure to create Instagram-worthy Halloween costumes for their kids. That pressure peaks in Idaho (97.5%), Missouri (94.9%), and Connecticut (94.9%).

Whether it's TikTok tutorials, Pinterest-perfect inspiration, or creating something so unique it makes all the other parents in the neighborhood green with envy, Halloween is no longer just about having fun – it's also about presentation.

Sweet Tooth Secrets: The Parent Candy Tax

After a long night of trick-or-treating, the kids head home to enjoy their candy collection. But it's not just the youngsters eyeing up the lollipops and Laffy Taffys as 80% of parents admit to stealing a sweet or two…

Of those, 44.2% justify it as controlling sugar intake (sure, we'll buy that), while 36.1% cheekily claim the "mom/dad tax." Only 19.7% say they wouldn't dream of it.

The biggest culprits? Idaho parents, with 60% admitting to candy 'theft'. Parents in Kansas (56.4%), Illinois (56.4%), and Wyoming (55%) are also likely to help themselves to their kids' stash.

What It All Means

This year's Halloween costumes are being shaped by a mix of economic realities, creative ambitions, and cultural pressures. Parents want to save money, but they also want costumes that stand out – both on the street and online.

And while trends like Pokémon and Taylor Swift might dominate the headlines, the real story is the growing tug-of-war between affordability and expectations. Whether parents are sewing sequins by hand or scanning the store shelves for a Spider-Man suit, one thing's certain: Halloween 2025 will be just as much about the parents as it is about the kids.

For those leaning toward buying but still hoping to keep costs in check, real-time deals and discounts on Halloween costumes are being rounded up at CouponBirds – helping parents score standout looks without blowing the budget.

Methodology

This survey was conducted among 1,993 American adults across all 50 states in September 2025. Participants answered questions about their desire to buy or DIY their kids' Halloween costumes, their motivations, spending habits, and the themes and trends influencing costume choices.

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