The Best Costumes and Accessories for Kids Who Love to Play Dress-up
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We all know at least one kid who refuses to wear anything but a princess dress — or a wizard cape, or a Spider-Man costume — from morning to night. But, for as silly as it can seem to adults, pretending to be someone else is critical to children’s development. “It requires both focus to stay in character and creative thinking to adapt to fit your role,” says Jocelyn Greene, founder ofChild’s Play NY, a theater program offering classes, camps, and party services. “When they engage in dramatic play, kids are practicing ‘theory of mind,’ which helps them differentiate themselves from others and is foundational for empathy.”
Children get the most out of playing dress-up starting at aroundage 3, but any seasoned parent will tell you that the benefits of this type of play can start earlier and continue for many years. Greene says these skills can’t be taught; kids need play to learn them, and even the simplest costumes and props can spark their imaginations and support their brain development. Dressing up is also just plain fun, as any actor, fashion designer, or stylist can agree. And it doesn’t have to be expensive. Greene likes filling a costume trunk with personal items like great-grandma’s coin purse or a belt you wore in the ’90s. Erin Boyle, mom of three and the author ofMaking Things, also suggests hitting up your local thrift stores to find fun and affordable dress-up accessories.
But as with other kids’ products, the younger the child, the more safety should be a top concern. “Poorly made clothes and accessories with loose buttons or rhinestones can be tricky because my toddler puts everything in her mouth,” says Natalie Ebel, co-founder ofBackdrop. She also advises against anything covered in low-quality glitter — if it’s shedding sparkles, leave it on the shelf because it will “haunt you forever.” To find the best dress-up costumes and accessories, I spoke totenexperts, including parents, educators, and toy influencers, about everything you need to build a fantastic dress-up trunk.
Updated on March 23, 2026
I added several new picks, including some “everyday carry” items like a Disney Princess purse that comes with a pretend cell phone and credit cards and a set of car keys that play sound effects. I also checked that all prices are correct and everything is in stock and ready to ship.
Play silks
Greene, Boyle, and Daniela McElhaney, an early-childhood education expert and vice-president of education atIvybrook Academy, all recommend looking for dress-up items that are open-ended and adaptable for many uses and functions, and they named silk play scarves as the best example of an open-ended dress-up prop. Boyle says that Sarah’s Silks — a brand we havewritten about multiple times— is the easiest place to find play silks online but she also suggests buying handmade sets on Etsy. “They’re colorful, they feel nice, and they’re not prescriptive, so kids put them to use in a million different ways — ball gown one minute, knight’s cape another, sail of a pirate ship the next,” she says. Case in point: When Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio’s elder daughter was 3, she wore a blue play silk as an “Elsa cape” for months on end.
Wings, capes, hats, and other accessories
“In a dress-up starter kit I recommend some capes, wings, gloves, and lots of hats,” says Greene, noting that accessories give children the flexibility to customize a look and put their own stamp on a character.
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In addition to play silks, Sarah's Silks makes whimsical headbands and hats like this petal crown.
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This wizard cape and hat set from the dress-up brand Great Pretenders shimmers when you move.
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Cute bags and purses double as excellent dress-up props.
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Or a trio of star wands that kids can share with friends?
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It's not cheap, but this set of career hats is a wonderful investment that'll last for years.
Greene suggests providing a variety of options that range from realistic (different pairs of glasses) to magical (a wand) to creature-based (tails or wings). This mix might result in unexpected story lines where, for example, they are “part doctor, part cat, who uses their magical wand to save other animals,” she says.
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Super Smalls' blinged-out headband can be part of a princess fit or just worn on a Tuesday.
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These pretty silk wings are printed with stars and planets.
On a practical level, accessories don’t take up as much space as complete costumes but often get more mileage, says Boyle. Ebel adds that they are often more appropriate for younger children because they are easier to engage with and wear: “While my toddler loves putting on long, flowy dresses, she often trips on them,” she explains. McElhaney also suggests giving kids real-life tools, as long as they are age appropriate, to encourage more complex storytelling.
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Kids can use these real restaurant guest-checks for taking pretend orders.
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Colorful lens-free glasses can help them get into character.
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This mail carrier tote will help them deliver important scribbled messages.
One way to make dressing up easier is to getan old-fashioned pinafore apronthat kids can put on over their clothes; I learned this tip from my own brother, Emil Corsillo, after he bought one for my 5-year-old niece. TheDownton Abbey–esque garment can be used as a cooking apron, a nurse’s smock, or a base layer for a princess or dancer. It’s also simple enough to wear to school without looking like a costume.
Strategist contributor Regan Fletcher Stephens, who is also the co-founder of Saltete travel guides, recommends stocking your kid’s dress-up trunk witha bunch of bandanas. “They’re infinitely useful, well beyond western-themed dressing,” she says, explaining that you can fold them into bags, shirts, or dresses for babies, or tie them into bows or even pretend they are hair.
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It's an apron. It's a princess dress. It's an orphan from Annie's only possession.
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A half-dozen bandanas can be half-dozen different things.
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These clickety, clackety kid heels are adorned with sparkling gems.
A huge part of dress-up play for kids is learning about the world around them. According to McElhaney, this kind of play also helps kids with language development. So giving them realistic accessories like a pretend cell phone, a set of car keys that actually beeps, or a wallet with “real” cash inside can give that play more depth of meaning.
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If your kid asks for your phone, consider this pretend Disney Princess one that has its own clutch..
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This cheerful set of pretend car keys has a clicker that makes realistic car noises.
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Melissa & Doug's wallet comes with fake money and credit cards for buying imaginary snacks.
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For kids who spend hours playing parent or babysitter, the authenticity of a doll-size Ergobaby baby carrier is hard to beat.
Costume jewelry
Whether it’s from a thrift store, passed down by a friend, or bought new, costume jewelry is always a hit. I like the high-quality play baubles bySuper Smalls, which are designed with help from the founder’s own kids. But you can also get great kids’ jewelry from places likeGreat Pretenders, kids clothing retailerthe Children’s Place, and even the craft and art-supply brandOMY.
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I love the gold beads and colorful gems on this $5 necklace.
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For taking mermaid cosplay to the next level.
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Chunky, candy-like beads make this bracelet feel maximalist and special.
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A jewel-encrusted bundle fit for a royal child.
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104 stick-on earrings shaped like strawberries, rainbows, and itty bitty poop.
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A unicorn, a rainbow, and a very realistic diamond ring.
Professions
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My 3-year-old son is obsessed with trains, especially Thomas the Tank Engine and his pals, but I don’t love most of the official Thomas costumes or merch. So instead I got him this train-engineer set that includes work gloves, a bandanna, an adjustable pinstripe hat, and a surprisingly chic vest.
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Space exploration and astronauts are classic dress-up options that my niece recently got into. This well-made jumpsuit is realistic, comes in either white or orange, and has cool details like NASA and space-shuttle patches, belt and shoulder buckles, and a coordinating cap.
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Lots of kids love to be heroes and center their pretend play around rescuing and healing, especially where it concerns taking care of animals. This dress-up set includes a vet’s scrub top, mask, cap, thermometer, stethoscope with sound effects, syringe, plush dog, and reusable name tag. For extra realness, I recommend upgrading to an actual working (kid-size)stethoscopeso they can listen to their own heartbeat and that of their friends or pets.
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For kids who love to perform, this magician set includes a hat, cape, sequined vest, trick coin, magic wand, and disappearing white rabbit.
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This customizable chef coat and hat is a bit pricier than theMelissa & Doug version. But since it’s made from 100 percent cotton, it’ll stand up to more messes and more washings if you’re gifting it to a child who might wear it to actually cook. You can get it in white with black piping or natural with light green piping, and personalization is available for an extra $15.
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Melissa & Doug Love Your Look Makeup Kit
Toy influencer Marissa Ashton, who is alsoa toddlermom, recommends this kit for kids who like to play makeup artist or stylist. It comes with 16 items, including two brushes, a 12-shade eye-shadow palette, and even a set of pretend makeup remover wipes, and its Caboodle-style case conveniently holds everything inside.
Disney Princesses, Spider-Man, and Other Favorite (Licensed) Characters
For licensed characters, Trolio recommends shopping for character hoodies, T-shirts, and pajamas; they often double as dress-up and regular clothes, perfect for those kids who like to live every day as their favorite character. The brand Little Adventures is also known for its machine-washable getups.
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A Bluey costume that doesn't look like a costume.
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Little Adventures dresses are affordable, well made, and easy to put in the washing machine.
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This Espeon onesie is perfect for the kid ready to level up from Pikachu.
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Toy Story 5 is coming out in June and these PJs will help Buzz Lightyear fans prepare.
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An understated Ariel getup for kids who want to be a mermaid at school.
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This hat with a face is all you need to create a convincing Lightning McQueen.
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The cutest Princess Peach pajamas.
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Classic Spider-Man pajamas for slinging pretend webs before bed.
Ebel also points out that you don’t always have to purchase full outfits or even costumes to get the look they’re going for: There are plenty of character-driven masks, wigs, glasses, and headbands that’ll bring children just as much joy.
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A Rumi wig you can put on and take off fast.
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Minions goggles are hilarious and instantly get kids into character.
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You don't have to be a fan of the Trolls franchise to enjoy these hair headbands.
Elsa and the rest of the Disney gals are still a big deal, as are all manner of Pokémon, Spider-Man, Bluey, Princess Peach, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Sports stars and olympians like Alyssa Liu and Shohei Ohtani are also a huge source of dress-up inspiration for the young fans who adore them.
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I couldn't find an official Alyssa Liu costume but this gold sparkle dress is enough to get started.
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Add a pretend Olympic gold medal and you're pretty much there.
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Official jerseys can be pricey but they're also usually higher quality and can be easily washed.
Base Layers
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This brown tee can be used as the foundation for everything from a mushroom to a three-headed dog.
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Primary offers trios of leggings in different colors like this set of black, blue, and frog green.
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A sky blue top to match your Cinderella tutu or help you cosplay as Squirtle.
Trolio also recommends buying a rainbow of durable basics like T-shirts and leggings that kids can easily use as the base layer for any costume they can come up with, from dragons and unicorns to ballerinas and firefighters. The colorful basics from kids’ brand Primary are her favorite because they’re affordable and they last a long time.
Our experts:
•Marissa Ashton, toy influencer and parent
• Erin Boyle of Reading My Tea Leaves
• Emil Corsillo, designer and parent
• Natalie Ebel, cofounder of Backdrop
• Jocelyn Greene, founder ofChild’s Play NY
• Ariel Grun, VP of merchandising atCamp
• Daniela McElhaney, early-childhood education expert and vice-president of education atIvybrook Academy
•Regan Fletcher Stephens, Strategist contributor and co-founder of Saltete
• Jen Trolio, Strategist senior editor and mom of two
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