In 1987, illustrator Martin Handford created a children's book that introduced us to a whimsical world traveler named, Waldo. Distinctly dressed in a red and white striped shirt, a matching bobbled hat, black-rimmed glasses and a pair of jeans, Waldo is instantly recognizable ... if not always easy to find. That's how "Where's Waldo?" was born! Of course, behind every great adventurer there's often another adventurer with the ability to ask for directions... In this case, that's Wenda, Waldo's main squeeze! If you're the kind of couple who doesn't like to stay in one place too long, consider trying this jet-setting duo on for size when you say, "trick-or-treat."

Looking for Love

You searched high and low for the perfect couples costume this Halloween, and now it has been found. When Waldo and Wenda get together, a good time is guaranteed (and so are many requests for photos). For years, they've embarked on long journeys through time and space, but not without getting lost on occasion. This confident pose says, "I'm checking out my surroundings ... there is a lot going on here that isn't on the map." Hanging on to your walking stick while shielding your eyes adds an extra layer of "call of the wild" flair.

Together at Last

As any good travel agent will tell you, it doesn't matter how you start your trip, what matters is how you finish. Waldo and Wenda have undoubtedly weathered all of the ups and downs of exploring the universe: Bad airplane food, lost luggage (among other things!), uncomfortable hotel beds ... these things haven't broken their bond they've strengthened it! Whether they are hanging out at Napoleon III's house party, getting into mischief on the set of a big Hollywood production, or learning Norse code in a Viking village, one thing is for absolute certain: Wherever they may roam, Waldo and Wenda are better together.

No matter if he's on the beach, skiing down the bunny hill slopes or just hanging out at a county fair, good ol' Wally comes prepared for anything. In addition to his messenger bag, he always carries a walking stick, kettle, mallet, cup, sleeping bag, binoculars, camera, snorkel and shovel – one of which he will, inevitably, lose on each journey. When you look through the pages of a "Where's Waldo?" book, your job is not only to find Waldo and his missing item, but also to go back to the beginning and re-explore each of the scenes. The checklists at the end will give you other objects and characters to locate – such as Odlaw (Waldo's nemesis), Woof (his dog), Wizard Whitebeard and The Wally Watchers. Use this handy guide to create an incredibly authentic Waldo look (a hefty travel budget, on the other hand, is not included).

Shovel

One of Waldo's favorite destinations is the beach, but this tool isn't just for building sandcastles. What if Woof gets buried in an avalanche out in the backcountry or the rental car gets stuck in the snow? It also comes in handy for digging a quick latrine. Basically, if something needs to get buried or unburied, you will be grateful to have it at the ready (even if it is cumbersome to carry under the hot, summer sun)... did we mention that we're still unsure of Wilma's whereabouts?

Sleeping Bag

Have you ever slept on the ground in the middle of the woods? Even if you find a patch of grass, one thing will be abundantly clear by morning: Modern man was not built for "roughin' it." Luckily, there's no need to make like Bear Grylls on your adventure. And if you REALLY want to go that route, why start with your slumber? Toss the teacup and keep the good night's rest. A cozy sleeping bag is just what the doctor ordered after a long, hard day of hiding in plain sight. It's lightweight, easy-to-pack and your chiropractor will thank you.

Tea Cup

It's an English thing, we get it... but hydration really is key when you're traversing the galaxy by foot. We're going to presume you'll start with coffee in the morning ("Irish Coffee" to dull the pain if you happened to not heed our warning about the sleeping bag), adding a little water here and there along your journey, and ending the day with an afternoon/evening tea chaser. Yes, you could cup your hands and take a sip from any stream, but remember, that's where bears take baths ...

Snorkel

Wally's no fool! He is well aware of the fact that resorts charge big money for scuba gear rental. Plus, people spit inside those goggles to prevent them from fogging. That's right, the next time you slip a rented snorkel on your face, just remember that someone put their mouth on the breathing apparatus AND spit where your eyes are going. Does the rental company clean them after each use? Who knows?! Either way, Waldo's odd choice in gear doesn’t seem so eccentric anymore, does it?

Teapot

At first you might be thinking: I could live forever without a cup of tea. Why should I carry this oddly shaped thing around with me everywhere? Hold it right there, Slick. This kettle does way more than create crumpet accompaniment. First of all, something has to brew your coffee. If you could live forever without coffee then you're doing better than the rest of us. Still, it also cooks stuff. You eat, don't you? Stews and soups simmer great in here! Oh, and most importantly, it boils your water so that there are less bear germs in it for you.

Messenger Bag

While Waldo does a great job of tying items to his clothing, he COULD just stuff everything inside this handy messenger bag. But then we couldn't see it, and that's part of the fun! We can only presume, then, that he uses it to collect souvenirs from his travels. Or he just carries it around, which would be kind of weird. When YOU are at a Halloween party, the messenger bag is super convenient for holding your cellphone and any of the equipment that makes it hard for you to mix and mingle.

Rubber Mallet

A rubber mallet seemed like an odd choice at the start because we never see Waldo pitch a tent (and if you ever tried to get tent stakes into frozen earth without a mallet, you'll know just how "essential" a mallet is). But because Waldo has been on the run for decades now, we've made the bold presumption that there's a tent stored inside his messenger bag.

Camera

You're a multitasker. So if you were to set out on a lifelong journey, you'd probably bring your phone, right? Communication, navigation and preservation (photos) all in one convenient device! When Waldo was first drawn onto his scene, cell phones did not yet feature cameras. As a matter of fact, the creator of Instagram wasn't even in Kindergarten! Still, when you trek billions of miles, it's important to capture memories of the places you visit and the people you meet. In short: Your Waldo costume NEEDS a camera so his travel scrapbooks can continue to put Frommers to shame.

Binoculars

You may use your binoculars for bird watching ... or even neighbor watching (we're talking to you, Ms. Nelson). Waldo uses his binoculars for two main objectives. First, a good pair of magnifiers makes it easier for him to spot trouble or impending doom. From an animal stampede to a giant sea swell, Wally's never the guy who says, "I didn't see that coming!" Second, it makes it MUCH easier to locate Wenda, Woof or even Odlaw in a crowd! Give it a try yourself. Use a magnifying glass on your next Where's Waldo hunt and see if you can find him faster.

Walking Cane

Is Waldo old and decrepit? Martin Handford never stated Waldo's age, but it's probably a good bet that he uses the cane to navigate rough terrain. Whether he's on rocky hiking trails in the Smokies, swamp grass on the Bayou or slippery sand in the desert, Waldo's walking cane sees him through it all. When combined with his trusty hiking boots, there's no mountain high enough ... no valley low enough ... and really, no river wide enough to keep him from getting onto the pages of his next adventure. Did we mention that it's magical? That probably also helps.

It's not easy to be the villain in a beloved puzzle book, but it sure is fun! Odlaw (which spells "Waldo" backwards) has been Waldo's nemesis since 1991. His mission: To retrieve Waldo's magic walking stick by any means necessary. Therefore, if Waldo hangs out in a land of unfriendly giants, for example, so must Odlaw. Because he dons black and yellow stripes instead of red and white, you might think that Odlaw is Waldo's evil twin... but it's not his clothes that make him an anti-Waldo - it's his behavior! Odlaw is described as "mean, nasty, loathsome and disgusting..." He also has an awesome moustache. We told you being Odlaw would be a good time! Below is a helpful guide to get you posing for the part!