Halloween For Health Nerds Like Us: 7 Kids’ Costume Ideas
If you’re a mom or a dad, you’re swept up in Halloween fever by now. Princess hats. Harry Potter wands. The Darth Vader mask your kid wears to bed—even though he’s afraid of the dark.
But if you don’t have your child’s costume yet, don’t feel bad. The reason goes without saying: You’re a parent. You’re busy. You’re taking care of kids, jobs, and the dog who ate your scented candles and is now pooping pumpkin and bergamot.
At CareContent, we sympathize. And we have some easy costume ideas for you, featuring parts of the immune system.
Why? Well, we’re health nerds, for one thing, so all that ooky stuff interests us. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to remind everyone—especially kids—to wash their hands often, since we’re in the midst of flu season.
(Pssst … everyone should get a flu shot, too. But we won’t say that around your kids.)
If you haven’t hit the costume store yet, here are some fun (and funny) ideas.
Costume Idea #1: Lymph Glands/Lymph Nodes
What They Do:
Lymph glands and lymph nodes contain special cells that make antibodies (infection fighters).
Cool Fact:
They’re not just in your neck and armpits. They’re all throughout your body.
What You’ll Need:
• Light-colored body suit
• Any stringy green material, such as ribbon, felt, yarn, or balloons
• Fabric glue
Sources: US National Library of Medicine; American Academy of Family Physicians
Costume Idea #2: White Blood Cell
What It Does:
A white blood cell “eats” viruses and bacteria, or “zaps” them with special enzymes or antibodies.
Cool Fact:
Your body makes 100 billion white blood cells per day.
What You’ll Need:
w• Dark-colored ski cap and shirt
• Cotton balls
• White balloons
• Fabric glue
• Optional: white face paint
Sources: US National Library of Medicine, Merck Manuals
Costume Idea #3: Spleen
What It Does:
The spleen stores white blood cells and destroys your body’s old, defective cells.
Cool Fact:
Even though the spleen is important, you can live without it.
What You’ll Need:
• Felt fabric (dark purplish red for the body, red and blue for veins)
• Fabric glue and staples
Source: US National Library of Medicine
Costume Ideas #4 and #5: Tonsils And Adenoids
What They Do:
Tonsils and adenoids trap bacteria and viruses that enter your mouth and nose.
Cool Fact:
Adenoids shrink as kids grow older.
What You’ll Need:
w• Pink clothes or bodysuits
• Wadded-up socks stuffed in pillowcases
• White posterboard
• Dental floss or fabric glue to attach posterboard
• Optional: Plastic sword
Source: US National Library of Medicine
Costume Idea #6: Antibody
What It Does:
An antibody “tags” foreign invaders (like viruses), so the immune system can find them.
Cool Fact:
Antibodies are Y-shaped.
What You’ll Need:
w• Dark shirt and pants
• Fabric (like felt) or poster board cut into Y shapes
• Fabric glue
• Knit cap
• Sunglasses
Sources: US National Library of Medicine, Boundless.com, Merck Manuals
Costume Idea #7: T Cells
What They Do:
T cells destroy body cells already infected with viruses and bacteria.
Cool Fact:
Scientists are studying how to adapt T cells to attack cancer cells.
What You’ll Need:
w• Dark bodysuit or clothes
• Poster board covered in tin foil
• Shoelace or string (for hanging T over-the-neck)
• Superhero cape
Sources: US National Library of Medicine, National Cancer Institute
Special thanks to our models:
Hadley Douglas, Lucas and Chase Fenceroy, Ricky Grey, Quinn Riepl, Hannah and Lily Tatel
