For my fellow millennial parents who need a laugh, I present these hilarious 90s throwback Halloween costumes for kids, all inspired by the decade of our misspent youth. We’ve got Fresh Prince! Wayne’s World! Clueless! As if… you couldn’t tell (see what I did there?) I had the best time re-living my 90s/early aughts cultural legacy so that I can educate my kids about it.
Bonus, you can buy all of these 90s Halloween costumes for kids right from independent makers on their Etsy shops who we love supporting (and skip the plastic-y mass-produced stuff). Just be sure to hurry to get the ones you love! They’re nearly all handmade, and that takes time and talent that (ahem) lots of us don’t have. – Caroline, with Liz
Updated for 2023
12 Favorite 90s Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids
If you ever wore a baby polo tee, over-plucked your brows, rocked some Timberlands (not for hiking), waited eagerly for Thursday night must-see TV, or begged your parents to take you to see movies when tickets were about 5 bucks a piece…these 90s costumes are for you. And now, for our kids.
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Find more costume inspiration for kids:
23 wildly cute baby Halloween costumes on Etsy
Beyond Wonder Woman: 14 empowering girl Halloween costumes inspired by real life heroes
14 wildly cool, creative sibling Halloween costumes beyond superheroes and princesses
12 awesome kids and baby Halloween costumes made with pajamas
Nerd parent alert! 7 brilliant ideas for kids’ Game of Thrones costumes
17 cool DIY Star Wars costumes for kids that you can make
90s Halloween Costume: Cher and Dionne from Clueless
A child of the 90s but still a style icon today! I’m loving this Cher from Clueless costume from Fancy Schmancy Baby, and she’s now offering a Dionne costume too! You get the skirt, the jacket, and the t-shirt is optional. Just add these cute ruffle knee-socks we found for Cher, plus some affordable white Mary janes or ballet flats — love the quilting on these! For Dionne, go with the black knee-high socks and your choice of black shoes. No heels! Not worth it.
90s Halloween Costume: Edward Scissorhands
I’m amazed at the craftsmanship that went into this Edward Scissorhands costume from Maharai, inspired by the film that made so many of us fall in love with Tim Burton. (Did you think I was going to say someone else?) Be sure to order early for these–the maker is a true artist and sells out, which accounts for the price. But it’s a fantastic 90s Halloween costume for kids and even comes with the safe scissors-gloves made so they won’t interfere with any grabbing of candy.
90s Halloween Costume: Fresh Prince of Bel Air
How amazing is this Fresh Prince inspired 90s Halloween costume for kids from Lexxclusive? I love that you can customize the overalls for your own city (“Fresh Prince of Nashville?” Why not!) plus, you can add a t-shirt or custom colored bucket hat. You can even opt for rhinestones–for which the answer is always yes. If it’s getting close to Halloween, make sure you message shop owner Lex for a rush order; no time for maxin’ and relaxin’ on this hot 90s Halloween costume.
90s Halloween Costume: Beetlejuice
Well now. Beetlejuice has certainly picked up steam in recent years (and recent weeks, but we don’t need to tell the kids about that just yet). Fancy Schmancy Baby also makes the most wonderful Beetlejuice costume for babies, toddlers, and kids up to size 5. Can you tell we love everything in her shop? Green hair spray is a must! And check out this amazing Beetlejuice makeup tutorial on YouTube from Shonagh Scott for some incredible inspiration. Wow.
Related: 20 of the most amazing, must-see Halloween face paint video tutorials on YouTube.
90s Halloween Costume: Selena
Selena Quintanilla is another star whose popularity has been reignited in recent years. This handmade Selena one-piece is just as glam as the singer herself, and everything at the amazing Belle Threads Boutique is beautifully custom-made.
90s Halloween Costume: A League of Their Own 
Another favorite 90s costume idea from Belle Threads Boutique: This absolutely adorable Rockford Peaches/ League of Their Own costume, which is one of our all-time favorite 90s movies around here, though kids may know it best from the 2022 series it inspired. Of course the best part is that kids who wear this one can’t have any tears on Halloween night because as we all know…there’s no crying in baseball (costumes).
90s Halloween Costume: Wayne and Garth
Thanks to Rad Dawg, makers of this excellent Wayne’s World 90s Halloween costume, your kid will be totally be ready to party on. You can buy Wayne’s World hat, the vintage Aerosmith tee or a black tee, toddler-sized glasses; or just buy the wig-hat combos for Wayne and the wig-glasses Garth, then add your own 90s denim (straight-legged jeans, rips optional) and you’ll have the funniest sibling or BFF 90s pop culture Halloween costume around.
90s Halloween Costume: Elle Woods
We introduced my niece to Legally Blonde after she decided she wanted to be a lawyer when she grows up, and I have to say, this movie still slays. I think any kid will flip over this bubble gum pink little Elle Woods Halloween costume at Fancy Shmancy Baby, whether they’re old enough to have seen the film, young enough that you get more of a say in their costume (haha). The handmade costume comes with the pleather pink jacket and pink pencil skirt, and you can add the hilarious “bend & snap” t-shirt too.
Accessory Tips: Grab a hot pink crossbody handbag in a kid size with a tiny stuffed Chihuahua plush sticking out–we highly recommend a crossbody style with a shoulder strap so kids don’t have to carry it and all their Halloween treats. This pink pom pom pencil is optional, but cute for photos. Another pro tip: Have them wear comfy shoes that still work with the outfit; these sparkly hot pink high tops will keep them going from house to house without “ruining” the costume.
90s Halloween Costume: Ace Ventura
Throw a few stuffed animals in with this awesome child’s Ace Ventura costume via Me and Reekie Etsy shop, which includes the striped pants and Hawaiian shirt. Then you just need for your kid to work on their best Jim Carrey impression.
90s Halloween Costume: The Chicago Bulls Championship Team
To me, the remarkable success of the Chicago Bulls was so emblematic of the 90s that I was instantly drawn to this Michael Jordan vintage youth jersey at Sport Jersey. Your kids could also gather friends to honor Scotty Pippen, Dennis Rodman (have fun with that Manic Panic!), Ron Harper, Steve Kerr…While this particular jersey is pricey, I think it would get lots of wear beyond October 31st.
90s Halloween Costume: Saved by the Bell
Fellow millennials and gen-Xers will instantly get the reference with this Saved by the Bell Bayside High t-shirt, representing the school we all wish we had gone to. The shirt from Naked Mangoes comes in sizes 12mo to 14-16 (it doesn’t come cropped) so any kid can be Zack, Kelly, Slater, Lisa, Jessie, or even a tribute to Screech: The Early Years.
For accessories, check out this affordable kids’ red and white varsity jacket we found; an open Oxford or plaid flannel shirt for Zack; a red or maroon cheer skirt if you’re going in a Bayside cheerleader direction; and plenty of hair gel no matter what.
Want to make sure the treat-givers know who your kid is supposed to be? These fun Saved By the Bell school ID badges from Fatal Kiss Badges are the perfect touch. You could even accompany them as Mr. Belding!
Related: 75+ last-minute Halloween costume ideas for kids and parents.
90s Halloween Costume: Chucky
If your kid wants a 90s Halloween costume that’s clever and super creepy, you have to check out this Chucky Costume at HiDeeHoFriend, to bring back all the horrific memories of Child’s Play. And Child’s Play 2. and 3. And 72. How many of those were there anyway? If you need a Chucky wig, this one is perfect (and horrible).
If you want to DIY, grab a Good Guys patch, affix it to a pair of dark wash denim overalls splattered with fabric paint, and add that essential colorful, horizontal-striped long-sleeve shirt. (You can also trim off the edges of the sleeves or bottom of the tee and sew onto the overall pants hems.)
90s Halloween costume: Prince Akeem (In Disguise)
With the Coming to America sequel out a few years ago, more kids have discovered the joy of Zamunda and, this fun McDowell’s lapel pin at KingPinz is such a cool accessory to build a costume around. For an authentic Prince Akeem look, thrift yourself a red plaid vest and bow tie set like this one from Zoran Apparel.
