Ten is a weird age. Honestly, it’s that awkward bridge between being a "little kid" who wants to be a sparkly unicorn and a "tween" who suddenly cares way too much about what everyone at the middle school dance thinks. If you’re hunting for halloween costumes for 10 year olds girl, you’ve probably already realized that the options are either way too babyish or, frankly, a bit too grown-up. It’s a struggle. I’ve seen parents spend hours scrolling through Spirit Halloween or Amazon, only to have their daughter roll her eyes at every single suggestion.
She wants to be cool. You want her to be warm enough for a breezy October night.
Finding that middle ground is basically a sport. At ten, girls are starting to develop a real sense of identity. Some are obsessed with Wednesday Addams—a trend that refuses to die—while others are deep into gaming or retro 90s vibes. It isn't just about a "costume" anymore; it's about a look.
The Shift from Character to Aesthetic
Most 10-year-olds aren't looking for a "packaged" costume anymore. You know the ones—the plastic bags with the thin polyester jumpsuits that rip the second they trip over a curb? Yeah, those are out. Instead, we’re seeing a massive pivot toward "aesthetic" dressing.
Think about the "VSCO girl" or the "Preppy" trend. It sounds like gibberish if you aren't on TikTok, but for a ten-year-old, it’s everything. A popular choice for halloween costumes for 10 year olds girl right now involves taking everyday clothes and "costume-ifying" them. For instance, a "Strawberry Cow" isn't a full cow suit. It’s a pink cow-print cardigan, a matching skirt, and maybe some cute DIY horns. It’s wearable. It’s comfortable. Most importantly, she can wear half of it to school the next week without looking like she’s still celebrating October 31st.
Why DIY is Winning
Kids this age love autonomy. Giving a 10-year-old a hot glue gun and a bag of craft supplies is a recipe for a unique costume and a very messy kitchen table. But the results? Usually pretty great.
I’ve seen girls take a basic oversized white t-shirt and turn themselves into a walking Starbucks drink or a pint of Ben & Jerry's. It’s clever. It shows personality. Plus, it bypasses that "cookie-cutter" feeling of seeing five other girls in the exact same Elsa dress.
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Pop Culture Still Rules the Playground
Let’s talk about what’s actually trending in 2025 and 2026. Inside Out 2 hit hard, and kids are still vibing with it. Anxiety is a huge favorite—mostly because the orange hair and the striped sweater are objectively fun to wear. It’s a recognizable character, but it feels a bit more "mature" than being a standard Disney princess.
Then there’s the gaming world. Roblox and Minecraft characters are still heavy hitters. However, instead of a boxy cardboard head, girls are opting for "humanized" versions. Think of a girl dressing as a "Bee" from Bee Swarm Simulator but using a yellow tutu and antennas. It’s a niche reference. If you know, you know.
Beetlejuice had a massive resurgence too. A striped suit for a ten-year-old girl is incredibly stylish. It’s edgy but still stays firmly in the "costume" category. It’s also one of the few outfits that actually looks good with a pair of chunky boots—perfect for walking miles for candy.
The "Scary" Factor
Some ten-year-olds are over the "cute" stuff. They want to be genuinely creepy. This is where special effects makeup comes in. Instead of buying a mask, they’re watching YouTube tutorials on how to use tissue paper and eyelash glue to create fake scars.
The "Broken Doll" or the "Creepy Clown" are staples for a reason. They allow for a lot of artistic expression. Just a heads-up: if your daughter goes this route, buy the good makeup. The cheap greasepaint from the drugstore will break out her skin faster than you can say "Trick or Treat," and it’s a nightmare to wash off the pillowcases.
Practicality: The Boring Stuff Parents Care About
We have to talk about the weather. It’s the ultimate buzzkill. You spend $60 on a beautiful fairy costume, and then a cold front hits. Suddenly, your "forest nymph" is wearing a heavy North Face parka over her wings.
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When picking halloween costumes for 10 year olds girl, I always suggest the "Layer Test." Can she fit a thermal long-sleeve shirt under it? Will it look okay with leggings? If the answer is no, you’re going to have a grumpy, shivering kid by 7:30 PM.
Comfort matters. At ten, they aren't just standing on a porch; they're running from house to house with a group of friends. If the shoes give her blisters or the fabric is itchy, she’s going to want to head home before the good houses even start giving out full-sized Snickers bars.
Sizing is a Minefield
Girls' sizing at this age is a disaster. They are often stuck between "Large" in kids' sizes and "Extra Small" in women’s. Most "Tween" brands like Justice or even Target’s Art Class line are getting better at this, but costume manufacturers are notorious for running small.
If you’re ordering online, check the measurements, not the age label. A "Size 10-12" in one brand might fit like a size 6 in another. Always, always read the reviews. Look for the parents who posted photos of their kids in the costume. That’s the only way to know if the "Gothic Vampire" dress is actually floor-length or if it’s going to look like a mini-skirt on your tall ten-year-old.
Group Costumes: The Ultimate Tween Goal
Friend groups are everything at ten. If she’s part of a "squad," they are almost certainly planning a group costume. This can be a blessing or a curse.
- The Classics: The Wizard of Oz crew, Scooby-Doo, or various flavors of M&Ms.
- The Modern Mix: Different "Emotions" from Inside Out, or characters from Stranger Things.
- The Low-Effort Win: "Social Media Apps." One girl is TikTok, one is Instagram, one is Snapchat. It’s basically just colored t-shirts with logos, but they love it.
The drama usually starts when two girls want to be the same character. My advice? Encourage them to be "variants." If everyone wants to be Taylor Swift (and believe me, they do), one can be "Eras Tour" Taylor, one can be "Fearless" Taylor, and another can be "Chiefs Game" Taylor. Everyone wins. No tears.
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Budgeting Without Looking "Cheap"
Halloween is expensive. Between the candy, the decorations, and the outfits, it’s easy to drop $100 per kid. But for a halloween costumes for 10 year olds girl, you can definitely cheat a little.
Thrift stores are a goldmine for this age group. A vintage prom dress can become a "Zombie Bride" with a little bit of grey spray paint and some fake blood. An old blazer can become a "Mad Scientist" outfit. Ten-year-olds actually find thrifting kind of trendy right now, so they’re usually more open to it than you’d think.
Don't sleep on accessories either. Sometimes a really high-quality prop—like a heavy-duty magic wand or a really realistic crown—can make a basic outfit look expensive. Spend the money on the one "hero" item and DIY the rest.
The "Switch"
A common mistake is buying the costume too early. Kids change their minds. A lot. You buy the "Olympic Gymnast" outfit in September, and by October 15th, she’s decided she absolutely must be a "Steampunk Explorer."
If you can, wait until the first week of October to pull the trigger. Or, if you have to buy early, make sure the return policy is solid.
Actionable Steps for a Stress-Free Halloween
Don't wait until October 30th. That’s how you end up at a picked-over Walmart at 9:00 PM buying a "Generic Ninja" costume that’s three sizes too big.
- Have the "The Talk" now. Sit down and ask what the "vibe" is. Is she going for scary, cute, funny, or a group theme?
- Audit the closet. You probably already own 60% of a great costume. A denim jacket and black jeans are a solid base for dozens of characters.
- Check the footwear. This is the biggest oversight. If she wants to be a princess but only has neon green running shoes, you need a plan. Either find comfortable boots that match or accept that the photos will have some "eclectic" footwear.
- Do a dry run. Have her put the whole thing on a week before. Check for itching, check for "wardrobe malfunctions," and make sure she can actually breathe in it.
- Makeup trial. If she’s doing a "look," practice it on a Saturday afternoon. You don't want to be figuring out how to apply spirit gum while you're trying to get out the door for the school parade.
Ten is one of the last years where they’re still "all in" on the magic of Halloween before the teenage apathy kicks in. It’s worth the extra effort to find something that makes her feel confident. Whether she’s a high-fashion vampire or a giant inflatable T-Rex, the goal is the same: memories, photos that don't make her cringe in five years, and a massive haul of chocolate.