Like most people, we're usually of the opinion that there's nothing cuter than a baby (especially a baby that's been semi-recently bathed, and most especially after we've both woken up from a wonderful nap). However, it turns out that we are absolutely, totally, and utterly wrong: there really is something cuter than a baby: a baby in a freakin' costume. These are so impossibly adorable, we can't even decide what category of costume is cutest on babies. Clearly, we love them as recognizable characters we know and adore from fiction. This is especially true when the character is an old man, which just works especially well with a baby's face. But then there are the animal costumes, which absolutely slay us. And then there are costumes for cute foods we love … they're all good, honestly.
So long as a baby is dressed up as something other than a baby, we're pretty much thrilled for it 24/7. This is to the extent that now we're wondering why we ever even dress babies up in regular clothes when there's the option of swaddling them up as tiny monkeys all day, every day. In fact, we're going to go ahead and say that in our expert opinion, all children should be wearing adorable costumes every single day until they're old enough to complain about it. Only then should they be switched to regular clothes. However, as much as we adore costumes on babies — and older kids, too, for that matter — that doesn't mean they always work out. Check out some awesome kids' Halloween costume fails to see what we mean. We're not entirely sure why, but some of these fails are even cuter than when they work out. And for moms who have to whip something up quickly for the kiddos, we love last-minute DIY Halloween costumes, too.
Baby Raccoon Infant Halloween Costume
Sweet Lord almighty, how cute is this costume? The correct answer: unbelievably cute. Dressing a baby up like a sweet little trash panda is kind of perfect. We all know how much they love to throw trash around after all, right?
Baby Raccoon Infant Halloween Costume ($19, Walmart)
Stay Puft Onesie Baby Halloween Costume
Why is the idea of a Ghost Busters-themed baby costume so completely freakin' adorable? We have no idea, but this Stay Puft Marshmallow Man costume is tickling us absolutely pink. Who ya gonna call? A tiny, chubby baby!
Stay Puft Onesie Baby Halloween Costume ($14, Walmart)
Tiny Tiger Striped Kitten Halloween Costume
"Go get 'em, Tiger!" This is something we're definitely saying to an older kid on the soccer field, but it's so much more fun somehow to say it to a baby who can't really go get anything at all. And it's even more fun when LO is dressed like a literal tiger.
Tiny Tiger Stripped Kitten Cat Infant Baby Animal Halloween Costume ($44, Walmart)
Popeye Baby Bunting Infant Halloween Costume
For some reason the idea of a baby with gigantic Popeye forearms just slays us. This soft, snugly costume is a one-piece with a tiny little sailor hat. It's perfect for carrying a baby around and talking in a Popeye voice all night.
Popeye Baby Bunting Infant Halloween Costume ($43, Walmart)
Tootsie Roll Bunting
We love nibbling on a baby's ears … and toes … and tiny little fingers … basically, babies are made for nibbling, which is why they're perfect as a sweet treat — and since a little bunting bag is a happier costume for many babies than one with legs, a Tootsie Roll is an ideal candy for costuming inspiration.
Tootsie Roll Bunting ($19, Walmart)
Baby Plush Hedgehog Halloween Costume Vest
What's cuter than a tiny hedgehog? A baby in a super-cozy hedgehog vest! We're not exactly sure why these little garden animals — which are so common in England, but not in the US — are so precious, but they are. And add a baby to the mix, and it just gets even cuter.
Baby Plush Hedgehog Halloween Costume Vest ($20, Target)
Baby Girls' Wonder Woman Costume
Have a tiny baby girl and big dreams for her? A Wonder Woman costume says all the right things for her future as an independent, strong girl who will grow up to be an independent, strong woman. She may be a handful, but so is everyone great.
Baby Girls' Wonder Woman Costume ($29, Target)
Baby Harry Potter Hogwarts Robe Halloween Costume
Who wouldn't rather go to Hogwarts than whatever their alma mater is — no matter how much they enjoyed school? Every Harry Potter fan out there would love to wrap their baby up in this particular costume (or let's be real — let LO hang out around the house in it, too).
Baby Harry Potter Hogwarts Robe Halloween Costume ($18, Target)
Baby Lobster & Chef Halloween Costume
We think this bright red, steamed lobster-and-chef combo is a perfect — and hilarious — baby Halloween costume for mamas who are into babywearing (or who just want to have free hands all evening long).
Baby Lobster and Chef Halloween Costume ($55, Buy Buy Baby)
Lil Victoria the Vampiress Baby Halloween Costume
Rarely do we think of "spooky" for a baby's Halloween costume, but this tiny vampire costume is a-dor-a-ble (and yes, it also kind of freaks us out). The idea of an immortal being who is that small is kind of terrifying, but this costume is also genuinely pretty, so … we think it's a win all around.
Lil Victoria the Vampiress Baby Halloween Costume ($43, Buy Buy Baby)
Baby Unicorn Toddler Halloween Costume
Why have unicorns become so popular in the past couple of years? No idea, but now we can buy unicorn makeup palettes, unicorn ice cream … and, blessedly, this incredibly cute unicorn baby costume. It's just so inherently happy — perfect for any baby who feels totally magical.
Baby Unicorn 2-4T Toddler Halloween Costume ($25, Buy Buy Baby)
Football Baby Halloween Costume
For any family that spends its quality time at football games — either at the game itself, tailgaiting, or at home watching either NFL or college ball — this costume is a total touchdown. We love that it looks super cute and it seems soft and cozy for the baby to snuggle up in, too.
Football Baby Halloween Costume ($35, Buy Buy Baby)
Banana Halloween Costume
What an a-peel-ing costume! (See what we did there?) This baby costume is a great punchline for any family, but it seems like an especially good fit for families that really love comedy and bond over a shared love stand-up, sketch, or improv. It's completely adorable.
Banana Baby Infant/Toddler Halloween Costume ($25, Buy Buy Baby)
Boo Babies Halloween Costume Mischievous Monkey
Isn't every baby a perfect little monkey? They're all over the place, they're cheeky, they're adorable, they're hilarious. We adore this baby monkey costume and think it's perfect for every baby we've ever met (and would honestly make for an adorable photoshoot, too).
Boo Babies Halloween Costume Mischievous Monkey ($20, Walmart)
Infant Baby Bruiser Boxer Halloween Costume
It's perfect for a family who is into boxing, but really, just the sight of a baby with fake abs, pecs, and tattoos is comedy gold, so it's great for everyone. This costume tickles us absolutely pink — especially with phrases like "Babyweight Champ" and "Crib Rattler" painted on the sleeves.
Infant Baby Bruiser Boxer Halloween Costume ($26, Walmart)
Halloween Chef Costume Baby One Piece
For anyone who wants to just keep it super simple (and inexpensive) this year, a regular ol' onesie with a cute Halloween costume print is the way to go. Fans of shows like Top Chef and Chopped will love this one — and that it's easy to toss on.
Halloween Chef Costume Baby One Piece ($17, Walmart)
Lil Penguin Baby Halloween Costume
A penguin in formal clothing is always a win — and add a baby to the mix, and we're in for a massively cute time. Penguins always look like they're running around in tuxedos, so the formality of a tiny little bow tie and top hat on this penguin costume just take it to the next level.
Lil Penguin Baby Halloween Costume ($42, Walmart)
Vintage Lamb Baby Halloween Costume
For some reason, a baby in a costume that involves tiny little hooves is pretty much the best. We love the long, soft floppy ears that frame the little face, too. It's adorable, and would work for another kid for an Easter costume down the line (we'd say this kid could still fit into it by Easter, but we know we'd be lying).
Vintage Lamb Baby Halloween Costume ($41, Walmart)
Oh Deer Baby Halloween Costume
This deer costume — with its cute, kind of hipster flower crown — is just too cute for words. And while it calls itself a deer costume, we're pretty sure from the white dappling on its coat that this is a fawn — even more perfect for a baby costume.
Oh Deer Baby Halloween Costume ($34, Walmart)
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