Halloween has well and truly taken hold in Adelaide, and if your kids are anything like ours, they’ve been planning their costume since approximately July. Whether you’re after a quick grab-and-go outfit or something that’ll win the neighbourhood trick-or-treat parade, Adelaide has plenty of options for kitting out your little ghouls and goblins.
We’ve rounded up the best places to source Halloween costumes in Adelaide, from budget-friendly finds to specialty stores with all the trimmings.
Variety stores
For a no-fuss, affordable costume, your local variety store is a solid starting point. Kmart, Big W and Target all stock seasonal Halloween ranges that hit stores from late September. You’ll find classic options like witches, vampires, skeletons and superheroes, with most costumes priced under $30. These are perfect for younger kids who might wear their outfit once before deciding they’d rather be something completely different.
Daiso and other discount stores are also worth a visit for accessories like wands, masks, capes and face paint that can transform a basic outfit into something special. The earlier you shop, the better the selection.
Costume and party shops
For more variety and quality, Adelaide’s dedicated costume shops are your best bet. These stores carry everything from infant-sized pumpkin suits to elaborate monster masks.
Costume Box (online with fast delivery)
This Australian online retailer has an enormous range of kids’ Halloween costumes in every theme imaginable. They offer express shipping to Adelaide, so even last-minute shoppers can get sorted. Their range includes licensed characters, classic horror, and plenty of cute-not-creepy options for the little ones.
Party and costume shops around Adelaide
Local party supply stores often carry Halloween costumes and accessories alongside their regular stock. These can be great for finding unique pieces or picking up extras like fake blood, spider webs and glow sticks to complete the look.
Costume hire
If you’re after something really special without the price tag of buying, costume hire is a smart option. Adelaide has several costume-hire businesses that carry high-quality outfits for kids and adults alike. This is particularly good for elaborate costumes that would cost a fortune to buy but only get worn once.
The advantage of hire costumes is the quality. You’ll often find theatrical-grade outfits with better fabrics, more detailed accessories and a more polished look overall. It’s worth calling ahead to check availability and book popular costumes early.
Op shops and secondhand finds
Don’t overlook Adelaide’s op shops for Halloween costume gold. With a bit of creativity and some advance planning, you can put together brilliant costumes from secondhand clothing and accessories. A black dress becomes a witch, a white sheet becomes a ghost, and an old suit becomes a tiny vampire with the addition of some face paint and plastic fangs.
This approach is budget-friendly, more sustainable, and often results in the most creative costumes. Check out larger op shops like Salvos, Vinnies and Goodwill, or browse Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree for secondhand costumes from previous years.
DIY costumes
Sometimes the best costumes are the ones you make yourself. Spotlight and Lincraft carry everything you need for DIY costume creation, from fabric and felt to face paint and fake fur. Even if you’re not particularly crafty, there are plenty of simple costume ideas that come together with basic supplies and a hot glue gun.
Pinterest and YouTube are full of easy DIY costume tutorials for kids, many of which use items you probably already have at home. A cardboard box can become a robot, a LEGO brick, or a packet of chips. Brown clothes and some face paint turn your child into a bear, a dog, or a tree.
Tips for Halloween costume shopping
- Shop early. Popular sizes and styles sell out fast, especially in the week before Halloween.
- Check the weather. Adelaide’s October weather can be unpredictable. Consider whether the costume works with a jacket underneath or over the top.
- Think about comfort. Itchy fabrics, heavy accessories and restrictive masks can turn trick-or-treating into a meltdown waiting to happen.
- Don’t forget shoes. Whatever costume you choose, make sure your child can wear comfortable walking shoes with it.
- Add reflective elements. If you’re trick-or-treating after dark, some reflective tape or glow sticks help keep kids visible.
Whether you go all out with an elaborate costume or keep things simple with a $15 supermarket find, the main thing is that your kids have fun. Happy haunting, Adelaide families.
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