This is what you need to know about Cultural Appropriation and Halloween costumes [guide for parents and educators]

Halloween can be a fun and exciting time, but this season can also bring up a history of culturally offensive costumes and cultural appropriation. For parents and teachers, it can be tricky to guide kids’ Halloween costume choices while ensuring they’re respectful and not appropriating other cultures. In this post, we’ll guide you through the meaning of cultural appropriation, how to avoid it around Halloween, and how to talk to kids about it.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• What is cultural appropriation?
• How to talk to kids about cultural appropriation
• How to spot cultural appropriation in Halloween costumes
• How to encourage empathy and inclusivity for young kids during Halloween
• How to promote fun, inclusive costume choices

At Little Justice Leaders, we've worked with thousands of parents, caregivers, and educators to help educate kids about topics of social justice.

Whether you’re a caregiver, educator, or just someone who wants to be mindful of not being offensive, this article will help you make better decisions around Halloween and cultural appropriation.

Let’s dive right in.

What is cultural appropriation?

Cultural appropriation involves taking cultural practices, spiritual traditions, hair styles, fashion styles, speaking styles, and other cultural elements for personal use and benefit without acknowledgement or appreciation of the culture the stolen practices belong to.

Cultural appropriation happens when a more dominant privileged group takes the cultural practices of a less dominant or privileged group. It happens when there is an imbalance of power. Since, for example, people of color do not hold collective power over white people, people of color cannot culturally appropriate white culture.

How to talk to kids about cultural appropriation

Explain the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation

Halloween is an ideal opportunity to teach kids the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation

• Cultural Appropriation is when someone adopts aspects of another culture without respect for its origins or significance, often turning it into a costume or “trend.” For example, wearing a traditional outfit or hairstyle as a costume without understanding its cultural meaning is an example of appropriation.
• Cultural Appreciation means understanding, respecting, and valuing a culture. Instead of wearing cultural symbols as a costume, appreciation could mean reading books about the culture, visiting a cultural center, or supporting local artists and businesses.

When explaining these concepts, you could say:
“Appreciation is learning about and celebrating a culture with respect. Appropriation is when we borrow something from a culture without understanding it, which can be hurtful.”

Example Activity: Explore different cultures through stories and activities. Show kids how learning about other communities can be exciting and meaningful, without reducing them to costumes.

Use guiding questions to help kids choose thoughtful costumes

Helping children make thoughtful choices about their Halloween costumes is a valuable learning moment.

Here are some questions you can ask to guide their decision-making:

• “What do you like about this costume?”
• “Does this costume represent a real group of people, or is it just for fun?”
• “Would someone from this culture feel happy seeing you wear this?”
• “Is this a costume that’s fun for everyone, or could it be hurtful to others?”

These questions encourage children to think critically and build empathy for others’ feelings.

Reinforce the importance of respectful choices

Kids (and some adults) may wonder why it’s such a big deal to avoid certain costumes. Remind them that respectful choices show care for others.

Every Halloween, people from various backgrounds see costumes that portray their culture inaccurately. This can be hurtful and make people feel like their culture is only seen as a “costume” or “trend.”

Explain to kids that when we choose costumes that don’t rely on stereotypes, we’re showing respect for others and celebrating Halloween in a way that includes everyone.

By having these conversations and guiding kids to respectful costume choices, you’re helping them become more thoughtful and empathetic. When kids understand how costumes impact others, they’re more likely to make inclusive choices in all areas of life.

How to spot cultural appropriation in Halloween costumes

Watch out for costumes with harmful stereotypes

Some Halloween costumes may seem harmless at first but can unintentionally reinforce stereotypes. For example, packaged costumes that simplify entire cultures or reduce them to stereotypes—like a “hula girl”—are disrespectful and misleading. Costumes like these often minimize the real history and experiences of various groups, turning a real identity into a superficial costume.

Avoid any costumes that are based strictly on a specific race, ethnicity, heritage, culture, gender, or disability. For example, a costume such as “Indigenous person,” “blind person,” or “transgender person” is offensive.

As a rule of thumb, avoid costumes that feature:

• Culturally significant symbols, tattoos, or hairstyles
• Headdresses, bindis, hijabs, or other cultural or religious garments or accessories
• Items that are stereotypically associated with a certain cultural, religious, or ethnic group
• Blackface, or painting your skin a different color to represent a different race or ethnicity
• Altering your facial features to represent a different race or ethnicity
• Accessibility tools, such as wheelchairs or hearing aids you don’t need
• If not part of your own culture or personal experience, avoid these items in Halloween costumes.

By guiding kids away from these costumes, we can celebrate Halloween without harming or misrepresenting other communities.

Help kids spot stereotypical costumes

Many costumes and props use cultural elements inaccurately or offensively. It’s crucial to help children recognize costumes that might feel fun but are based on harmful stereotypes. For instance, packaged costumes such as “Gypsy” or “Geisha” turn complex, diverse cultures into single, oversimplified outfits.

Help kids practice spotting these stereotypes by looking through some costumes together, and asking together:

• "Where does this costume idea come from?" or "Is this outfit part of a specific culture?" This helps them consider whether the costume might represent a culture or people inaccurately.
• “Is this costume imaginative (like ghosts, superheroes, or fictional characters), fun (like animals, objects, or puns), or based on real groups of people?” Typically, offensive costumes will be based on real people, so this can help them start to see the difference.
• “Are there props in this costume that are representing a group of people in a stereotypical way?” This helps kids look out for props, objects, or other aspects of costumes that might be reinforcing stereotypes.

These questions will help kids start to see the difference between costumes that are offensive and those that are fun.

When in doubt, trust your instincts

If a particular costume idea doesn’t feel quite right, trust that feeling and explore other options. This might be disappointing for your kiddo, but ultimately it’s a learning moment for them. Halloween should be enjoyable for everyone, and a thoughtful approach to costume selection helps make it a safe, inclusive experience.

How to encourage empathy and inclusivity for young kids during Halloween

Turn Halloween costumes into a social justice teaching moment

Halloween is a great opportunity to teach kids about standing up against bias and supporting inclusivity. Here are some discussion questions to help kids prepare if they encounter insensitive costumes among friends or peers:

• “What would you say if a friend told you they were planning on wearing a costume that doesn’t respect someone’s culture?”
• “How could you explain the difference between cultural appreciation and appropriation to a friend?”
• “Would you feel comfortable talking to a friend about why certain costumes might be hurtful?”

Role-playing responses or talking through these questions with your child helps them learn how to advocate for inclusivity in a kind and constructive way.

Expand the discussion beyond Halloween

While Halloween is a relevant time to talk about cultural appropriation, it’s also helpful to extend the conversation to other areas. Kids encounter aspects of cultural appreciation and appropriation in many forms of media, fashion, and pop culture.

Encourage them to think critically about:

• Costumes and traditions they see in movies and shows
• Fashions and trends influenced by other cultures
• Everyday expressions of respect for other communities

By making these conversations ongoing, kids will develop a well-rounded understanding of cultural awareness and respect.

How to promote fun, inclusive costume choices

Choose DIY costumes for creative and inclusive fun

Store-bought costumes can often fall into stereotypical or appropriative designs, so consider a DIY approach! Making costumes together at home not only helps avoid offensive designs but also allows for creativity and fun.

If DIY costumes aren’t possible, help kids find store-bought costumes that avoid stereotypes. Choosing from characters, animals, and creative themes keeps the costume fun and inclusive.

Remind kids that Halloween is about fun—and respect

As Halloween approaches, reinforce that choosing a costume can be fun without crossing into harmful territory. Help them see that being respectful doesn’t mean limiting their choices—it simply means finding new ways to celebrate and use their creativity.

By guiding children in making thoughtful costume choices, we’re helping them grow into inclusive, empathetic individuals. Kids can enjoy Halloween while practicing kindness and respect, making the holiday more fun for everyone.

Want to learn more about talking to kids about social justice?

If you care about social justice and education, we want you to join us in this movement! Sign up here to get our 10 tips for talking to kids about social justice.

When you join our newsletter community, you’ll get free resources and support on teaching kids (and yourself!) about social justice. 

And we’re wishing everyone a safe, fun, and inclusive Halloween season!