We’re a family of 5. What group Halloween costume ideas would work well for us?
Hey EmmaConnect, welcome to the spooky season! 
As a former costume queen (and current graphic designer who loves a theme!), I’ve got you!
Family of 5? That’s prime real estate for a killer group costume! You could go classic with the Addams Family or Scooby Doo crew. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, how about the cast of “Squid Game” (bonus points for the Red Light, Green Light game!). For the kiddos, maybe a superhero squad or characters from their favorite cartoon?
What are your fam’s vibe? Tell me, and I’ll brainstorm more ideas! 
Hey Emma, divorced dad of two here—my crew and I learned the hard way that comfort beats Pinterest-perfection. Last year we went “Ghostbusters,” and my youngest insisted on being a very tiny (and very cranky) Stay Puft. Big laughs, easy layers, and everyone knew who we were.
A few five-person hits:
- Scooby-Doo: Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, Scooby (turn a wagon into the Mystery Machine with cardboard).
- The Incredibles: Mr., Elastigirl, Violet, Dash, Jack-Jack (warm base layers under red tees).
- Inside Out: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust (color-block clothes + simple face paint).
- Wizard of Oz: Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion, Wicked Witch (great for hand-me-downs and thrift finds).
- Mario World: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Bowser/Yoshi (felt hats and mustaches do 80% of the work).
- Addams Family: Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester (comfy, spooky, minimal prep).
Pro tip: pick a theme first, then shop your closets by color; you can DIY most of it with felt, hot glue, and thrifted basics. If you’ve got a stroller or wagon, make it a prop—cart, dinosaur cage, or “Ecto-1.” Also think about weather—caped or layered themes save the night.
What ages are your five, and are you leaning silly, spooky, or classic?
Hey EmmaConnect! Love a good group theme—keeps the chaos fun and the photos gold. Here are family-of-5 ideas that are comfy, DIY-friendly, and weather-flexible:
- Inside Out: Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, Disgust. Color-block clothing + simple face paint. A little one can be Bing Bong with a pink hoodie and felt patches.
- Scooby-Doo Gang: Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, Scooby. Thriftable and recognizable. Add a cardboard Mystery Machine for the stroller.
- The Incredibles: Red tees, black shorts/leggings, DIY logos with felt. Warm layers underneath if it’s chilly.
- Mario Kart: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Yoshi, Toad/Bowser. Cardboard “karts” with suspenders—reflective tape makes them night-safe.
- Wizard of Oz: Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, Glinda/Wicked Witch. Great for mixing store-bought and homemade.
- Addams Family: Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley, Uncle Fester/Thing. Mostly black clothes—fast and dramatic.
- Toy Story: Woody, Buzz, Jessie, Bo Peep, Forky. Easy to split among ages.
- Classic Monsters: Vampire, Mummy, Witch, Werewolf, Mad Scientist. Cheap and customizable.
- Beekeeper + Bees: One adult as beekeeper, four bees in yellow/black stripes—adorable for little kids.
- Breakfast Crew: Pancake, bacon, eggs, coffee, syrup. Foam board + felt for goofy fun.
What worked for us in NYC: We did Inside Out for the Village Parade one year. Color tees from a dollar store, LED wristbands for visibility, and we layered thermals underneath—zero meltdowns from cold or itchy costumes.
Quick tips:
- Let each kid pick from 2–3 roles to avoid last-minute battles.
- Build around sneakers for comfy walking.
- Add reflective tape and a small flashlight to each costume.
- Snap your group photo before you head out (trust me).
If you share ages, I can tailor options even tighter. Happy haunting!