As we’ve done each year, we picked a theme and all selected related Halloween costumes. This year our daughter suggested Harry Potter and it seemed like a great time to give it a go. I even finally read the first book! (True story – I’d never read any of the books or seen any of the movies until recently.)
Hermione Granger
Probably not a big surprise to most Harry Potter fans, our daughter wanted to dress up like Hermione. It seemed like a pretty easy costume to DIY, but as luck would have it, she found a used one at a local consignment sale in her size. All we had to do then was accessorize.
She picked out knee high socks and a headband while shopping at a Halloween store. We surprise her with a wand right before Halloween because all great witches and wizards need one.
Newt Scamander
While not a main character (he only gets a simple mention in the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone as the author of one of the books that Harry and the other students at Hogwarts read), Newt Scamander was a fun fit for our theme. I applaud my son for his vision and help making this costume come together. We began with an after school visit to a nearby thrift store. Literally combing through several racks, he found a jacket he liked that resembled Newt’s. Next up, a pair of pants. This combo cost me all of $13.60. A vast improvement over any online or box retailer.
We did go department store shopping for the white button down shirt. I didn’t mind spending a little more knowing he would wear it many times over for church or other dress up occasions.
For the vest, I planned to make one similar to what I made many years ago for his Geronimo Stilton costume. But we’ve just had too busy of a month. I opted instead to order one. It was a little pricey for a costume, but looks great and hopefully we can find use for it again in the future.
He topped off his costume with a bow tie (already owned), wand (past purchase from a trip to Universal Studios), and Newt’s pet – Pickett. The perfect finishing detail.
Professor Minerva McGonagall
When we began planning, I had never read any of the books or seen the movies. I literally started with a search on Pinterest for characters and decided on Professor McGonagall. As I began reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and saw she transfigured from a cat? I was sold.
Rather than purchase a costume or robe, I decided to do my own twist on Professor McGonagall. Opting for a simple black dress with a flowy green cardigan. I then accessorized with a costume hat.
Member of the House of Slytherin
A fun combination of costume scarf, black robe, and Slytherin t-shirt made this an easy and comfortable dress up.
As we began planning our costumes, I had no clue what ‘house’ my husband chose. Starting the book, I quickly did a “what? You chose the House of You Know Who? Is there something I should know?”
Interestingly, Merlin is also a famous member of Slytherin. Seems like we’ve come a bit full circle here from Halloween past!
See more of our family theme costume ideas here and how to create your own Harry Potter Trunk or Treat design.
