8 Easy Christmas Costumes for Toddlers
Costumepedia earns a commission if you buy through links on this page. It doesn’t change what you pay. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Toddlers have firm opinions about costumes. Headbands get yanked off. Scratchy things get screamed at. Anything with more than one piece ends up under the couch.
These eight are soft, warm and built on clothes they’ll actually keep on. Every one of them looks adorable in a Christmas card photo.
Jump to a Costume
1. Reindeer
The easiest toddler costume of the season. A brown outfit and a soft hat with antlers is a tiny reindeer.
How to do it: Brown footed pajamas or a brown sweatsuit, a soft hood or beanie with plush antlers sewn on, and a red nose drawn with a lipstick dot.
Worth buying: a toddler reindeer hat.
2. Elf
Cute and comfy. A toddler elf is just green clothes, striped tights and a hat.
How to do it: Green top, red-and-white striped leggings, a felt collar with points and a soft elf hat. Skip the ears if they’ll pull them off.
Worth buying: a toddler elf costume.
3. Gingerbread Baby
Sweet as a cookie. A gingerbread costume uses a brown outfit and some trim.
How to do it: Brown footed pajamas or sweats, white ric-rac trim sewn or glued on, and three big felt buttons. A little blush on the cheeks.
Worth buying: a gingerbread baby costume.
4. Snowman
Warm and huggable, perfect for outdoor photos. A toddler snowman is all white with black buttons.
How to do it: White footed pajamas or a puffy white snowsuit, black felt buttons, a tiny scarf and a soft orange felt nose pinned to a beanie.
Worth buying: a toddler snowman costume.
5. Christmas Tree
Little kids love being decorated. A tiny Christmas tree is green clothes and soft felt ornaments.
How to do it: Green sweatshirt or tutu dress, felt circles in red and gold sewn or safety-pinned on (no glass, no small parts) and a soft felt star on a headband.
Worth buying: a pack of felt sheets.
6. Little Angel
Perfect for church and nativity plays. A toddler angel is just white and a halo.
How to do it: White dress, long white T-shirt or nightgown, a soft tinsel halo on a headband and small soft wings.
Worth buying: toddler angel wings and a halo.
7. Penguin
Winter-cute and very easy. Toddlers already waddle, so they’re halfway there.
How to do it: Black hoodie, a white felt oval pinned to the belly, an orange felt beak on the hood and orange socks.
Worth buying: a toddler penguin costume.
8. Little Present
The cutest gift under the tree. You only need a red or green outfit and a big bow.
How to do it: Red or green onesie or sweatsuit, wide ribbon crossed over the front and back, and a big soft bow clipped to the top of the head.
Worth buying: a big bow headband.
Toddler Costume Safety Tips
Skip small parts. Buttons, bells and ornaments are choking hazards, so use felt and sew or safety-pin from the inside.
Build on pajamas. Footed pajamas are warm, comfortable and already the right shape for reindeer, snowmen and gingerbread kids.
Take photos first. Toddlers have about fifteen good minutes in a costume. Use them.
Want more holiday looks? See the full Christmas costumes section, or browse the costume encyclopedia from A to Z.
Toddler Christmas Costume FAQ
What’s the easiest Christmas costume for a toddler?
A reindeer. Brown pajamas and a soft antler hat.
What Christmas costume is good for a toddler in a nativity play?
An angel, a sheep or a little star. All are soft and easy to wear.
How do I keep a toddler costume on?
Build it on clothes they already like, skip headbands and ears, and attach everything to the outfit instead of their head.
What’s a good sibling Christmas costume with a toddler?
Santa and his little elf, a reindeer team, or a gingerbread family.
Free: The Last-Minute Costume Cheat Sheet
Ten costumes you can make tonight, mostly from your own closet. One page, printable, plus a short email before each costume season. No spam.
