From Bluey to CoComelon, These Kid Costumes Are Pop Culture Crowd-Pleasers

Updated on 9/14/2021 at 5:01 PM

Lauren Mancke for Primary

For a year in which kids didn't get to do very much of anything, there's thankfully still a laundry list of 2021 references to inspire your little one's Halloween costume.

Children's clothing brand Primary has teamed up with creative mom of three Lauren Mancke (of Instagram fame) to create DIY costumes that are inspired by major moments in entertainment and pop culture but are easy enough to pull off. They're all affordably created from Primary's gender-neutral staples and a few no-sew crafting techniques.

From a mustachioed Ted Lasso to Australian heeler pup Bluey to the noisy-yet-ubiquitous cicada, there's not a costume among the set that won't get a knowing nod from each and every neighbor with a candy bowl.

Read on to get inspired – and if you still feel stumped as to how to create these costumes for your kiddos, Primary offers a "Costume Concierge" service. You simply need to call the helpline (1-800-DIYEASY) or send an email (DIYEASY@primary.com) for step-by-step tutorials or help sourcing materials.

Soul

Pixar fans will love seeing middle-school band teacher Joe – and the Tina Fey-voiced soul, 22 – at their doorstep this Halloween. Bonus points if your trick-or-treating travels include a jazz soundtrack.

Cruella

Disney princesses are all well and good, but let's be real: is there anything cooler than a kid dressed up as a Disney villain? Thanks to the Cruelle De Vil origin story on Disney+, kids who loved 101 Dalmations can get in on the black-and-white fun, well, without having to walk on all fours.

USA Olympians

The Tokyo Olympics were plastered on nearly every TV set and video screen this summer, so go for the gold with costumes modeled after your child's favorite Olympian!

Cicadas

Have you recently asked yourself, "why is it that every year seems to be a cicada year?" Seriously, why is it that every year the news reports say that these giant critters are "reemerging for the first time in 17 years?" yet there they are, every summer?! Anyway, if that rant sounds a touch familiar, then you will appreciate this winged costume – even if the actual bugs, and their high-pitched buzzing, drive you crazy. And although one cicada costume is fine, the real fun is having a whole gaggle of them show up on someone's lawn.

Good Burger

It's been nearly 25 years since Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell starred in Nickelodeon's first original movie, so this idea is perfect for nostalgic parents eager to help hype up the ongoing buzz of a sequel. Plus, how fun to have your kiddos ring a doorbell and then shout, "Welcome to Good Burger, home of the Good Burger, can I take your order?"

CoComelon

CoComelon, once a wildly popular YouTube channel, is now a Netflix staple for the baby and toddler set (and for parents who need a friggin moment of peace). Pay homage to the never-ending compilation of nursery rhymes by dressing your tiny tot up as baby JJ. If you've got another, even smaller, baby at home, consider JJ's favorite teddy bear!

Luca

For the kid who loves pasta and gelato and the latest Pixar movie, why not dress up as the titular sea monster (a sibling could go as fellow water-dwelling friend Alberto Scorfano)? Plus, this costume is perfect if your kiddo prefers to trick-or-treat on bicycle, rather than on flipper.

Candy

OK, so candy necklaces and Peeps aren't necessarily a 2021 trend – they are timeless confections, after all! But considering how many of us have let their kids eaten a few extra sweets this year (we gotta get through Zoom school somehow!), we should be lucky they haven't actually turned into sugar.

Ted Lasso

Everyone could use an extra dose of positivity these days, and even if we don't understand the off sides rule, it's easy to identify this group costume idea. There's Ted Lasso with his signature mustache, Dani Rojas (perfect for any tyke who thinks "soccer is life!"), and Rebecca Welton, whose pink box of daily biscuits is sure to not go unnoticed by fans of the series.

Raya

Humans and dragons can live together in harmony! If you agree, make like lone warrior Raya and track down the last dragon with these costumes inspired by this year's popular Disney flick.

Bluey

Is there a children's show better than Bluey? From the sweet family of blue heeler pups to the addicting Australian accents to the hilarious-for-all-ages story lines to the manageable eight-minute long episodes, there's hardly any contest. Which is why we expect to see a whole bunch of full-family group costumes of "Mum! Dad! Bingo! Bluey!"