Let’s be real. If you’re searching for a pennywise costume for kids, you’ve probably already realized that the "Dancing Clown" isn't exactly a typical birthday party entertainer. It’s creepy. It’s iconic. It’s also surprisingly hard to get right when you’re scaling it down for a seven-year-old. Since the release of Andy Muschietti’s IT in 2017, Pennywise has basically become the Darth Vader of horror for the younger generation. Kids don't want to be the classic, colorful Bozo anymore; they want the cracked face makeup, the ruffled victorian collar, and that single, ominous red balloon.
But here is the thing.
Buying a costume for a child involves a weird balancing act between authenticity and "I actually want my kid to be able to breathe and walk." Most of the cheap, bagged sets you find at big-box retailers look like shiny pajamas. They don’t capture that grimy, 1800s-circus-performer vibe that Bill Skarsgård brought to the screen. If you want your kid to actually look like the character from Derry, you have to look closer at the details than just a orange pom-pom.
Why the Pennywise Costume for Kids is Different from the Adult Version
Size matters, but so does safety. You can’t just put a kid in an adult "small" and hope for the best. The proportions of the 2017 Pennywise outfit are based on a very specific, elongated silhouette—puffy sleeves, cinched waist, and those weirdly short pant legs that show off the boots. When you translate this to a child’s frame, it can easily turn into a shapeless blob of gray polyester.
Honestly, the mask is where most parents fail.
Most official pennywise costume for kids sets come with a plastic half-mask. It’s flimsy. It smells like chemicals. Most importantly, it makes it impossible for the kid to see where they are walking while trick-or-treating. Professional cosplayers usually suggest ditching the mask entirely and opting for high-quality water-based face paint. It’s safer for the kid and looks ten times more terrifying because their actual expressions can show through. Brands like Snazaroo or Mehron are the gold standard here because they don’t crack as easily as the cheap grease paint you find in those "vampire kits" at the pharmacy.
Material Choice and Comfort
Modern Pennywise is all about textures. We are talking about silks, laces, and thick ruffles. Most kids find high collars itchy. If you're buying a pre-made suit, check the lining. If it’s raw polyester against their neck, they will be ripping that costume off before you even reach the third house on the block. Look for versions that use a soft cotton blend for the inner collar or be prepared to have them wear a thin turtleneck underneath.
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The color is another sticking point. The movie costume isn't white. It’s a "dirty antique" or "parchment" gray. If the costume you’re looking at is bright, bleach-white, it’s probably a low-tier knockoff. The real magic happens in the weathering. Even a cheap costume can look high-end if you take some watered-down black acrylic paint or even just some gray eyeshadow and smudge it into the folds of the fabric. It adds depth. It makes the clown look like he’s actually been living in a sewer for 27 years.
The DIY Route vs. Buying Pre-Made
You've got two main paths here. You can hit up a site like Spirit Halloween or Amazon and grab a licensed Rubie’s costume, or you can go the Etsy route for something handmade.
The licensed ones are fine for a school parade. They are easy. They are relatively inexpensive. However, the quality varies wildly. If you go this route, focus on the "Deluxe" versions. These usually include the separate collar piece, which is vital. The collar needs to be stiff enough to stand up; if it flops down like a sad pancake, the whole look is ruined.
Building it Piece by Piece
If you’re feeling ambitious, building a pennywise costume for kids from scratch—or semi-scratch—gives the best results. Start with a base of gray leggings and a long-sleeved gray shirt.
- The Ruffles: You can buy lace trim by the yard at any fabric store. Layer it around the wrists and the ankles.
- The Poms: Pennywise has three distinct red pom-poms down the front. Don't use the tiny ones from a craft kit; go for the 2-inch or 3-inch yarn versions.
- The Belt: A simple red fabric sash works, but if you want to be authentic, it should be a pleated piece of the same gray fabric as the suit.
One detail most people overlook? The boots. Pennywise wears lace-up circus boots with a slight pom-pom on the toe. You don't need to buy special shoes. Just take an old pair of combat boots or even high-top sneakers and spray paint them a weathered white or silver.
Dealing with the "Scary Factor" at School
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Some schools have banned "scary" costumes. Since Pennywise is essentially the poster child for coulrophobia (the fear of clowns), you might run into some issues.
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If your kid is dead-set on being the eater of worlds but the school says no masks, the "Glam Pennywise" or "Child-Friendly Pennywise" is the way to go. This involves keeping the iconic silver outfit but skipping the cracked-skull makeup and the fake blood. A simple red nose and two red lines through the eyes is enough to signal who the character is without traumatizing the kindergartners.
It’s also worth noting that the 1990 Tim Curry version of Pennywise is making a comeback in the "retro" scene. That costume is much brighter—yellow jumpsuit, multi-colored sleeves. It’s arguably "friendlier" looking to the uninitiated, even if the 90s kids know better.
The Red Balloon Problem
You cannot have a Pennywise costume without the red balloon. It is the character's calling card. But for a kid out on Halloween, carrying a real helium balloon is a nightmare. It gets caught in trees. It pops. It flies away, leading to a meltdown.
A better trick? Use a red balloon on a plastic stick.
It stays at a fixed height, it doesn't float away, and it's much easier for a child to hold onto while they are also trying to manage a candy bucket. If you really want to go the extra mile, you can find LED balloons that glow from the inside. It’s an incredible effect for nighttime trick-or-treating and adds a layer of safety because it makes the kid visible to cars.
Makeup Tips for Sensitive Skin
Kids have thin skin. Literally. Putting heavy theatrical makeup on a child for six hours can lead to breakouts or irritation.
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Always, always do a patch test 24 hours before. Put a small dab of the white base and the red liner on their inner arm to see if they react. Use a barrier spray if you can find one; it creates a thin layer between the skin and the makeup.
When it comes to the "Pennywise smile"—those lines that go from the corners of the mouth up through the eyes—use a red lip liner pencil instead of a brush and paint. It’s more precise and stays put much longer. To get that "cracked" look on the forehead, you can use a bit of liquid latex if the kid isn't allergic, but for most children, just drawing the cracks with a fine-tip black eyeliner is much safer and easier to wash off.
Essential Accessories to Complete the Look
Beyond the suit and the balloon, there are a few things that elevate the costume from "clown" to "Pennywise."
- The Wig: Most kid-sized Pennywise wigs are too big. They slide around. Use bobby pins to secure the wig to their natural hair, or consider using orange hair spray-in color if your kid has enough hair to style into those two signature tufts.
- The Teeth: Avoid the full-mouth flipper teeth for kids. They can’t talk, they can’t eat candy, and they are a choking hazard. If you must do teeth, use a "tooth blackout" wax on a few of their actual teeth to make them look jagged, or just skip it. The makeup does the heavy lifting.
- The Gloves: Often forgotten. Pennywise wears delicate, white ruffled gloves. Simple white dress gloves from a costume shop work perfectly.
Summary of Actionable Steps
If you are ready to put this together, here is the most efficient way to handle it.
First, decide on the "version." The 2017/2019 version is more popular, but the 1990 version is easier to DIY. Once you've chosen, purchase the base suit at least three weeks before Halloween. This gives you time to air it out (the plastic smell is real) and check the sizing. If it’s too big, use safety pins on the inside of the sleeves to create that "puffed" look.
Second, practice the makeup at least once before the big night. You don't want to be figuring out how to draw a straight line through a wiggling child's eyebrow at 5:00 PM on October 31st. Use a setting powder over the white base to ensure it doesn't smear onto the costume's collar.
Finally, prepare the balloon. If using helium, get it filled as late as possible. If using a stick, tape the stick to the inside of their sleeve or a glove so they don't have to constantly grip it. This frees up their hand for the more important task of holding a heavy bag of chocolate.
Focus on the ruffles, get the "antique" color right, and prioritize comfort over 100% movie accuracy. A happy kid in a 90% accurate costume is always better than a miserable kid in a perfect one.