Swap for Free Kids' Halloween Costumes
Hold a Costume Exchange for a Free or Cheap Costume for a Child
Sep 3, 2009
A children's Halloween costume swap event is an easy way to recycle old Halloween costumes, while offering a way for families to get free or inexpensive costumes for children. It's fairly easy to organize a costume exchange at a school or church for little or no cost. And the event can even serve as a fall fundraiser for a school, church or a non-profit organization if shoppers are required to make a small donation per costume.
Most children only wear a Halloween costume once, so most families have multiple nearly-new costumes that the kids have outgrown. Some outfits can be reused by siblings, but many kids' Halloween costumes remain in the closet for years – often taking up much-needed closet space – until they're either thrown out or donated to charity.
At a time when many families are looking for ways to save money, a Halloween costume swap just makes sense and it's an event that's easy for an individual or PTO to organize. Nearly-new closet-bound kids Halloween costumes are donated and the participating families can pick out free costumes for kids.
Where to Hold a Kids' Halloween Costume Swap
A Halloween costume exchange for children works best at a school or church, where there are families with children of different ages. The school or church also makes a great location for the kids' costume swap. Many churches or schools will allow families to use the cafeteria, gym or hall for free or for a reasonable cost.
If there is a cost associated with renting a space to hold the Halloween costume swap, that money can be recouped by charging a nominal fee of $2-$5 per costume. A door charge is another way to earn money from the event – an appropriate fee would be $1 per person or $5 per family, though these prices can be adjusted based on overhead.
A Halloween costume exchange can also serve as an autumn fundraiser for the school, church or for a non-profit organization.
If the event organizers wish to hold an entirely free event, tickets can be handed out for each costume that's donated. One donated costume entitles the donor to one ticket, which can then be used to "pay" for the new costume.
How to Find Children's Halloween Costumes for the Exchange
Donated Halloween costumes are required if a swap is going to be a success. Kids' costumes can be collected in advance by placing a donation box in the school lobby, church lobby, etc.
Parents will need to be made aware that Halloween costume donations are being sought, so the event can be advertised by announcing the event in the PTO newsletter, on the church/school website or the organizers can arrange to have notices sent home with the school's children.
In addition to accepting donated Halloween costumes in advance, donations can also be accepted at the door.
More Tips for Organizing a Halloween Costume Sale or Swap
It's important that donors understand that that donated costumes cannot be returned. A person may donate a child's costume, but upon browsing the other costumes, they may decide that there's nothing that suits the child. The individual may then ask to have their original costume returned, but this cannot be guaranteed, as another person may have already claimed that costume. So it should be made clear that all donations are final.
In many cases, there will be extra kids' Halloween costumes left over at the end of the event. These can be donated to a charitable organization like The Salvation Army or Goodwill.
Looking for more tips on how to save money this Halloween? Check out How to Make a Halloween Costume Out of a Box, along with Cheap Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas.
Families who are looking for Halloween freebies may also enjoy How to Find Free Printable Halloween Coloring Sheets.
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