How to Weather-Proof Your Halloween Costumes

There is bad news for trick-or-treaters. Much of the country, including the East Coast and the Pacific Northwest, is forecast to see significant rainfall on Halloween. Multiple storms are expected to move through the country this week, culminating with a rocky end to the week, just in time for all of the Halloween festivities. While Mother Nature will put a damper on the holiday fun, parents do not have to cancel the night completely for their excited kids. Read on for a few ideas on how to keep trick-or-treaters dry as they go door to door on Friday night.

Work Protective Elements into the Costume

Rather than fighting against the elements, consider incorporating protective coverings into the overall design of the costume. For example, consider costumes that call for an umbrella. Good ideas include dressing as Mary Poppins or making a homemade jellyfish costume with the umbrella serving as the crown. It will not even look like you are intentionally hiding from the elements if you use the umbrella as a prop.

Duct tape is another invaluable tool when designing a costume if you know that the weather may present issues. This naturally waterproof tape is hardly enough to hold up to the rain while also adding a bit of shine and color to a costume. Use white duct tape to dress up as a mummy or use silver tape to turn into the tin man.

Cloaks, robes, and capes are great costume additions that will also serve as protective devices. Superheroes, Harry Potter characters, and witches frequently wear these accessories, making them easy to incorporate into a costume without it looking out of place.

Lastly, costumes that require a helmet will inherently keep the head warm and dry. Good choices include firefighters, football players, or astronauts.

Pack Extra Supplies

There is nothing more miserable than wet feet when you get caught outside in a downpour. Packing extra socks will ensure that your kid can change into dry pairs periodically to keep their feet warm and toasty. If the temperatures fall to chilly levels, it is also a good idea to pack some extra mittens to swap out when the original ones become too wet. Cold kids translate to grumpy kids, potentially ruining the night.

Another good strategy is to bring along some hard warmers. These handy devices are easily activated, keeping hands warm in pockets or mittens. You can also throw a few of them into your kids' shoes to keep their feet nice and cozy despite the weather.

Do not underestimate the power of a warm beverage to stay comfortable while outside in the cold and wet weather. What kid will turn down a mug of hot cocoa while out and about in the neighborhood? Pack up a wagon with a big thermos of hot cocoa or warm apple cider and plenty of cups. You will soon become everyone's hero as the temperature drops with the setting sun.

When in Doubt, Go with a Poncho or Standard Rain Gear

When all creativity runs out, do not shy away from the use of a simple poncho or garbage bag to stay dry. Clear plastic rain ponchos are perfect choices to stay dry without ruining the aesthetic of a costume. These are also great items to have on hand if you will be celebrating the holiday in an area that is wet but still relatively warm. Ponchos do not add a lot of warmth, but they do the job of helping trick-or-treaters stay dry. You can find cheap ponchos at most dollar stores.

Along the same vein, shower caps are also useful when trying to keep the head dry. The stretchy nature of these caps makes them suitable for all sorts of head sizes and costumes. Use a clear one, and it will not even obscure the costume.

Rain pants are also invaluable on nights like this. Putting the rain pants on under a costume will keep your child warm and dry without taking them out of character.

The most important thing to remember when heading outside this Halloween is to dress for the darkness. The rain will naturally make it seem darker outside, reducing visibility and raising the risk of accidents. Trick-or-treaters should wear light-reflective clothing or tape. Using a flashlight or glow sticks is another necessity to increase visibility.

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