Halloween Costume Contest Prize Ideas

 If you're managing a Halloween contest this year, you might wonder what to give for prizes. Check out these Halloween costume contest prize ideas for some inspiration.

Halloween Costume Contest Prize Ideas

Whether you are having a costume contest at your haunted house or Halloween party, what will you give for the best costume prizes?

Having a costume contest is a fun way to get everyone in the Halloween spirit. But most contests have prizes for the winners. What types of things make the perfect prize for your Halloween costume contest?

Here are a few of my best Halloween costume contest prize ideas for your competition. Which one do you like the best?

What are the categories for judging Halloween costumes?

Scariest Costume: This category is for those who pull out all stops to look terrifying and send chills down the spine.

Most Creative Costume: This is for participants who think outside the box, creating unique, ingenious costumes.

Best Group Costume: Perfect for families or friends who've coordinated their costumes in a theme.

Funniest Costume: This category rewards those who've brought humor into their Halloween get-up. Or, you could try cutest costume instead.

Best DIY Costume: This celebrates those who've crafted their costume at home, demonstrating creativity and resourcefulness.

What are good prizes for a costume contest?

Prizes for a Halloween costume contest should ideally be fun, festive, and appropriate for all age groups. You could consider Halloween-themed items, such as spooky decorations, pumpkin carving kits, or even a collection of classic horror films. These prizes not only stick to the theme of the event, but also enhance the winner's Halloween experience at home.

Another great idea for a prize is a gift basket full of assorted treats like candies, chocolates, caramel popcorn, or Halloween-themed cupcakes. This option is perfect as it embodies the 'treat' in 'trick or treat', and winners will surely appreciate the sweet reward. You could also include some fun Halloween accessories in the basket like masks, glow-in-the-dark stickers, or a DIY slime kit.

Gift cards also make excellent prizes. They offer the winners the opportunity to choose something they genuinely want or need. You could provide gift cards for local businesses, online retailers, or popular restaurants. This type of prize is especially suitable for adult participants and can range in value depending on your budget.

Scariest costume contest prizes

For the "Scariest Costume" category, you might want to give prizes that create a chilling atmosphere or evoke the spirit of Halloween. How about a collection of the scariest horror novels or a bundle of horror movie DVDs? 

You could also consider gifting a complete set of Halloween decor like a life-size skeleton, spooky string lights, or a faux tombstone. Even a DIY haunted house kit could be a fantastic prize! This way, winners can extend the spookiness of their costume to their homes, truly living up to the title of 'Scariest Costume'.

Best prizes for a group costume contest

For the best group costume like a work Halloween contest, prizes could be:

Themed Board Games: A board game that aligns with their costume theme would be a fun and engaging prize. This encourages the group to spend more quality time together even after the contest.

Group Movie Tickets: Gifting movie tickets for the whole group allows them to enjoy a cinematic experience together, strengthening their bond.

Matching Accessories: Items like matching t-shirts, hats, or jewelry pieces etched with a fun quote or their group name can serve as a memorable keepsake from the event.

Best Halloween party prizes for kids

For kids participating in Halloween costume contests, we want to make sure that the prizes we choose are not only fun, but also safe and age-appropriate. Here are a few ideas:

Toys and Games: Consider awarding winners with popular board games or toys. Look for those that are educational and entertaining, such as puzzles or building sets. Make sure to check the age recommendations on the product to ensure it's suitable for the child.

Craft Kits: Kids love getting creative, so why not reward them with a craft kit? There are plenty of Halloween-themed kits available, from making their own masks to painting ceramic pumpkins. 

Children's Books: Halloween-themed children's books can make great prizes, especially for younger kids. Not only are they fun, but they also encourage reading.

Candy Buckets: A classic prize for Halloween is a bucket full of candies. Choose a variety of popular candies, but also consider including some healthier snacks in the mix.

Costume Accessories: Prizes such as glow-in-the-dark bracelets, Halloween-themed hats, or wands can help to enhance their costume and keep the Halloween spirit going.  

Remember, the goal is to make the event enjoyable for the kids, so choose prizes that will bring a smile to their faces!

Printable costume awards

So, don't forget the power of a simple, yet meaningful, award certificate. This can be a fun, cost-effective and personalized prize option for your Halloween costume contest. Anyone, from kids to adults, would be thrilled to receive a certificate that recognizes their creativity and effort. 

You can easily make these certificates at home using templates available online or create your own designs. Categories can include "Best Costume," "Scariest Costume," "Funniest Costume," and so on. It's an easy way to make your costume contest winners feel special and celebrated.

Halloween candy

Halloween candy is a big part of the holiday. It's a tradition to give out sweet treats to trick-or-treaters who come to your door in their costumes. If you're hosting a Halloween costume contest, candy can also be a great prize. 

A big bag of assorted Halloween candies, like chocolates, lollipops, and gummies, can delight winners of all ages. After all, what's Halloween without a little bit of sugar, right? To make it even more special, you can consider including limited edition or special Halloween-themed candy in the prize. That'll surely sweeten the victory!

Gift certificate

A gift certificate to a local costume shop or an online Halloween store can be a thrilling prize. Winners can use this to level up their costume game for next year! It's a gift that keeps the Halloween spirit alive, encouraging winners to continue their creativity and innovative costume ideas for future contests.

Tickets to a Halloween attraction

If you're in an area with popular Halloween attractions, such as haunted houses, spooky hayrides, or theme park Halloween events, tickets to these could be a coveted prize indeed. Winners would get a chance to extend their Halloween fun beyond your event, making their victory even sweeter. 

For instance, a family pack of tickets to a "haunted corn maze" or "ghost tour" would provide a fun and exciting experience. Similarly, tickets to a "pumpkin patch" or "Halloween-themed amusement park" could offer an entire day of Halloween-themed fun and adventure. By offering such prizes, you not only reward the winners but also support local businesses or attractions.

Halloween trophies

A Halloween trophy is a fantastic prize for a costume contest. It's a tangible reminder of the participant's achievement and can be designed to stick with the Halloween theme. These trophies can feature designs like a pumpkin, a ghost, a witch on a broomstick, or even a spooky tombstone. 

You can also have them engraved with the title of the contest, the year, and the category won. Imagine the delight on the winner's face when they receive cool, skeleton trophies they can display at home! It's a fun, lasting keepsake that winners can cherish and that will remind them of the fun they had at your event.

Scary movies or scary books

Scary movies or books make excellent prizes for Halloween costume contests. These prizes are in line with the Halloween theme and they offer winners a chance to continue the Halloween fun at home. For scary movies, you could choose classic horror films or recent spooky releases. 

For books, consider popular horror novels or even a collection of chilling ghost stories. Movie or book prizes can cater to both the young and the old, depending on the genre and rating of the chosen items. 

These prizes not only reward the winners' efforts, but also provide them with entertainment that fits the spirit of the holiday. Another option is a murder mystery theme instead of a horror theme.

In conclusion, the fun and excitement of a Halloween costume contest hinge not only on the costumes but also on the prizes that await the winners. From classic options like candy buckets and toys to creative rewards like craft kits and Halloween-themed books, the possibilities are almost endless. 

The key is to select prizes that are safe, age-appropriate, and in line with the spirit of Halloween. Whether it's a trophy, a gift certificate, or tickets to a Halloween attraction, the right prizes can make your Halloween costume contest an unforgettable event.