Child Vampire Costumes

Kids can get in on the vampire act, too! Whether an infant or a teen, we have a costume that will fit. You can be classy or sassy, modern or traditional, creepy or charming! 

Kids who love "The Count" from Sesame Street probably don't know this, but the urge to count things is an actual characteristic of the vampires of folklore. It's called arithmomania, and it's the reason for one supposed vampire-protection method. The next time your mom scolds you for spilling salt, rice or seeds, just tell her you're repelling vampires! In folklore, spilling such things over a grave or in a vampire's path would compel it to stop and count the grains. The intended victim could then escape while the vampire was busy counting. To make it even more effective, some legends suggest adding a nail or a pin to the grain. This would cause the vampire to prick itself, making it drop the grains it had counted and force it to start over. 

So, a child who likes numbers may want to be a vampire. It's a fun costume idea for a budding mathematician. Or a budding astronomer, since vampires are nocturnal. (Did you know that there's actually such a thing as a "vampire number?" Young math fans may enjoy researching them!) 

Most of our kids' vampire costumes are reminiscent of the Victorian era. Think Dracula, the charming aristocrat. But we do have a few modern ones, too. Girls who are fans of Monster High could choose to be the modern vampire Draculaura. Fans of books by Stephenie Meyer or Richelle Mead could pretend to enroll at Forks High School or St. Vladimir's Academy. Once in your child is in a kids vampire costume, you can make it either scary or elegant depending on the accessories you choose. To be scary, add fangs and fake blood. To be classy, add vampire jewelry, a top hat, cane, or maybe even a tiara for a girl. 

You don't have to be an actual vampire to get in on the theme. We also have bat costumes. Why are bats linked with vampires? Bats were already feared, but nobody in Europe knew that some of them do drink blood. Vampire bats are native to Central and South America and were unknown in Europe. New World explorers who returned to Europe told stories of the strange blood-drinking creatures. The idea that vampires can turn into bats and fly away originated with Bram Stoker, in the classic novel Dracula.  

So, whether your child chooses to be a vampire or a bat, you can bring folklore to life. Perhaps an infant could be the pet bat of an older vampire sibling, for a family theme.