9 Easy Christmas Costumes for Kids (School Plays and Parties)

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The note comes home in the backpack: “Please send your child dressed as a shepherd on Thursday.” It’s Tuesday night. Don’t panic.

These nine costumes cover almost every school play, class party and church pageant, and every one of them comes together from clothes and craft supplies you can grab in one trip.

Jump to a Costume

  1. Elf
  2. Reindeer
  3. Gingerbread Kid
  4. Angel
  5. Shepherd
  6. Star
  7. Snowman
  8. Christmas Tree
  9. Penguin

1. Elf

Illustration of a Christmas elf costume: a cheerful person in a green tunic with a red zigzag pointed hem and collar, a black belt with a gold buckle, red and white striped tights, a pointy green hat with a red trim and a jingle bell, pointed ears, curled-toe felt shoes.

The most-requested Christmas costume for kids. An elf is cute, comfortable and fine for a full school day.

How to do it: Green top, red or striped tights, a belt, an elf hat with a bell and pointed ears. Cut a zigzag collar from felt.

Worth buying: a kids’ elf costume set.

2. Reindeer

Illustration of a cozy reindeer costume: a person in a brown fleece hooded onesie with a cream chest patch, soft plush brown antlers and small ears on the hood, a short tail, a painted red nose and freckle spots on the cheeks, brown boots.

Brown clothes and antlers. The quickest reindeer costume ever, and it’s warm for outdoor events.

How to do it: Brown sweatshirt and leggings, an antler headband, a tan felt belly patch and a red nose drawn with face paint or lipstick.

Worth buying: a kids’ antler headband.

3. Gingerbread Kid

Illustration of a gingerbread man costume: a child in a cookie-brown sweatshirt and pants with wavy white icing rickrack trim at the neck, wrists, waist and ankles, three big round gumdrop buttons in red and green down the front, rosy pink cheeks, a big smile, arms out.

Sweet and easy. A gingerbread costume is perfect for younger kids in holiday shows.

How to do it: Brown sweatsuit, white ric-rac or puffy paint for icing, three big felt buttons and rosy cheeks.

Worth buying: white ric-rac trim.

4. Angel

Illustration of a angel costume: a woman in a flowing white gown with a gold belt, large white feathered wings, a floating gold halo, gold sandals, a serene pose.

The nativity favorite. An angel needs nothing more than white clothes and a halo.

How to do it: White dress, nightgown or long white T-shirt, a gold tinsel halo on a headband, and wings made from white poster board or a store-bought pair.

Worth buying: a tinsel halo headband.

5. Shepherd

The classic school nativity role. You can make it from a bathrobe and a pillowcase.

How to do it: A striped or brown bathrobe (or a pillowcase with head and arm holes) belted with rope, a dish towel on the head held on with a headband, and sandals. Carry a stuffed sheep or a cardboard staff.

Worth buying: a kids’ shepherd costume.

6. Star

A great role for little ones in the nativity, and super easy to make.

How to do it: Yellow or gold clothes, a big star cut from gold poster board worn as a sandwich board or on a headband, and gold glitter on the cheeks.

Worth buying: a gold star headband.

7. Snowman

Illustration of a snowman costume: a cheerful person in a puffy round white outfit with three black coal buttons, a red and green striped scarf, a black top hat, an orange carrot nose and brown mittens.

Warm, cute and easy to make. White clothes plus a scarf is most of it.

How to do it: White sweatshirt and pants, black felt buttons, a bright scarf, a beanie or small top hat and an orange felt carrot nose.

Worth buying: a kids’ snowman costume.

Full guide: our full Snowman costume guide

8. Christmas Tree

Illustration of a Christmas tree costume: a smiling woman in a flared green tiered dress wrapped in gold tinsel and fairy lights, decorated with red and gold baubles, with a gold star headband.

Kids love decorating themselves. Great for class parties.

How to do it: Green top and leggings, a short tinsel garland, small lightweight ornaments sewn or pinned on, and a star headband.

Worth buying: a Christmas star headband.

Full guide: our full Christmas Tree costume guide

9. Penguin

Penguins show up in a lot of winter-themed school shows, and the costume is simple.

How to do it: Black hoodie, white felt oval pinned to the belly, orange felt beak on the hood and orange socks or shoes. Waddle on stage.

Worth buying: a kids’ penguin hoodie.

Tips for School and Church Christmas Costumes

Check the dress code. Some schools don’t allow masks, face paint or props, so ask before you buy.

Keep it comfortable. Kids will wear it all day or under hot stage lights, so cotton layers beat polyester costumes.

Label everything. Halos, hats and wings go missing backstage. Write your child’s name on the inside.

Want more holiday looks? See the full Christmas costumes section, or browse the costume encyclopedia from A to Z.

Kids’ Christmas Costume FAQ

What’s an easy Christmas costume for a kid?

A reindeer or an elf. Both come together from regular clothes and one headband.

How do I make a shepherd costume for a nativity play?

Use a bathrobe or a pillowcase with holes cut for the head and arms, tie a rope belt, and wrap a dish towel around the head with a headband.

What can a toddler be in a Christmas play?

A star, a sheep, a reindeer or an angel. All are soft and easy to wear.

What Christmas costumes work for a class party?

Elves, reindeer, gingerbread kids, snowmen and Christmas trees. They’re quick to put on and easy to move in.

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