Nostalgic PBS Halloween Costume Inspiration
Halloween is the perfect time to show off your love of your favorite PBS or PBS KIDS show! If you’re looking for some nostalgic costume inspiration, check out our ideas for fans of all ages. Bonus: We’d love to see your PBS inspired costumes in our gallery!
Bob Ross
Here’s a classic PBS costume where the right hair is essential. Pair your Bob Ross curls and beard with the standard blue jeans and matching top (or a blue button down) and you’re most of the way there. A few paint accessories will make the costume even more obvious — snag a paint brush and palette and be prepared to spend your time in costume talking about “happy little trees.” Members who have Iowa PBS Passport can seek inspiration by watching some of the best episodes of the Joy of Painting offered in the PBS app.
Mister Rogers
Mister Rogers continues to capture the hearts of generations of Americans, making his depiction a popular Halloween costume year over year. Dress pants, a collared shirt, tie and the essential cardigan (red is the most popular choice but other solid colors will do) make pulling the outfit together relatively easy. However, if you want to get beyond the basics and stand out from the other Mister Rogers’ costumes you’ll see this season, consider adding a unique accessory — a King Friday hand puppet perhaps?
Wishbone
While transforming your four-legged best friend into one of PBS’s most well-known pooches could be delightful, a human costume for Wishbone adds an extra layer of fun. Along with dressing up as a Jack Russell Terrier, you’ll want to choose one of his iconic costumes for the full effect. As an imaginative pup with a love of classic literature, Wishbone is best represented by one of the popular lead characters he portrayed — Romeo, Sherlock Holmes or Robin Hood for example. Adding a book to carry completes the look!
Daniel Tiger
Daniel Tiger from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood is a beloved character that many children would want to be for Halloween! For this costume, you will need tiger ears, a tiger tail and face paint. And of course Daniel’s look is not complete without a red zip-up sweater, as inspired by Mister Rogers in Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood. PBS KIDS for Parents provides some easy steps to create this costume. Transform yourself into Daniel Tiger to have a GRRR-rific Halloween!
Ms. Frizzle
There are two essential components to the perfect Ms. Frizzle costume — her gorgeous red hair and pretty patterned dresses (assuming you won’t be driving around in a magical school bus that is). Temporary hair color or a wig gets you halfway there with relative ease — but it’s important you get the right science-inspired dress. If you don’t want to purchase a dress specifically made to look like Ms. Frizzle you can grab a long-sleeved dress and add the appropriate shapes to it. Artist Laura Ulrich makes it easy to see which Ms. Frizzle dress you want to imitate by showing off every dress she ever wore. Bonus points if you get a stuffed lizard to carry around as Liz.
Chris or Martin Kratt
The Kratt brothers have been in the homes of PBS KIDS fans for many years, with programs that include programs Zoboomafoo and Wild Kratts. Their shows are a lot of fun for kids interested in animals and totally nostalgic for animal-loving adults. If you want to dress up like Chris, the calm and intellectual brother, you’ll need green clothing to create his signature look. If you’d rather be Martin, who is more humorous and silly, you’ll need blue! They are both wonderful zoologists who show off their knowledge of animals while going on adventures in their creature power suits. The team at PBS KIDS for Parents gives you step-by-step instructions to make a creature suit, including a printable creature power disc!
Mr. Conductor from Shining Time Station
To dress as the 18-inch tall narrator of Shining Time Station, aim for a classic conductor look with a touch of magic. Start with a formal navy or black conductor's uniform, complete with a fitted jacket and matching trousers. Add a crisp white shirt and a bright red or blue vest for contrast. The key accessory is the iconic conductor's hat, preferably adorned with a shiny brass emblem. Finish the look with a pocket watch on a chain for that old-fashioned railway charm. Don’t forget a whimsical, friendly attitude, as Mr. Conductor is always ready to share a story or offer sage advice!