1. Plastic Smurf Costumes
In the ’80s, nothing said Halloween quite like slipping into a stiff plastic Smurf costume. The store-bought getup usually came with a thin vinyl smock that had a picture of the Smurfs printed right on it, rather than actually resembling their outfits. Kids would tug on the hard plastic mask with tiny eye slits and a thin elastic strap that always managed to snap at the worst possible time. Breathing through the two pin-sized nose holes was a challenge, and yet we wore them with pride.
Parents loved how “convenient” these costumes were, since they were cheap and easy to find at drugstores. But for kids, the excitement was all about showing off their favorite blue characters. The smell of that plastic mask stuck in your nose for hours, and your breath always fogged it up instantly. Still, walking around as Papa Smurf or Smurfette made you feel like the coolest kid on the block, even if you could barely see where you were going.
2. Pac-Man Arcade Suit
Nothing screamed ’80s quite like Pac-Man, and some lucky kids managed to snag Pac-Man costumes for Halloween. Instead of looking like the sleek yellow video game character, most versions were big, bulky smocks with Pac-Man graphics slapped on the front. The plastic mask looked more like a smiley face with teeth than the classic chomping circle. It was awkward, uncomfortable, and yet so popular.
Kids waddled down the sidewalks pretending to gobble up dots, making the “waka-waka” noise the whole time. The real joy was that people instantly recognized who you were supposed to be, even if the costume barely resembled the real Pac-Man. Parents might not have understood why dressing as a video game character was so exciting, but to kids, it felt like being part of the arcade craze that defined the decade.
3. Cheap Casper the Friendly Ghost
Casper was still a Halloween favorite in the ’80s, even if the costumes left something to be desired. Rather than draping kids in white sheets with cut-out eyes, most costumes came with a smock that had Casper’s smiling face printed on the chest. The plastic mask had wide, round eyes and an odd grin that made him look more creepy than friendly.
It wasn’t easy walking around with your entire face covered in a glossy plastic sheet that pinched your skin. But kids loved the idea of being a ghost that people didn’t actually find scary. Casper was comforting, a safe pick for parents who didn’t want their little ones looking too frightening. Even though the costume was flimsy, it gave kids a sense of nostalgia for a character their parents also remembered from cartoons.
4. Cabbage Patch Kid Costume
The Cabbage Patch craze of the ’80s spilled over into Halloween. Some kids begged their parents for a chance to become one of the dolls, complete with giant plastic masks featuring yarn hair molded right onto them. The look was more nightmare fuel than cute, but at the time, it was all the rage.
The vinyl smock usually had the Cabbage Patch logo plastered across it, making sure no one missed who you were supposed to be. Kids wore them proudly, clutching their actual dolls as accessories while trick-or-treating. Parents may have been a little unsettled by the oversized baby faces, but children loved pretending they had stepped straight out of Xavier Roberts’ cabbage patch.
5. Alf Costume
When Alf hit TV screens in the late ’80s, kids immediately wanted to be the wisecracking alien for Halloween. The costumes usually came with a big brown vinyl suit and a mask that looked more like a melted version of Alf than the lovable extraterrestrial. The long nose and goofy eyes were just enough to make people laugh.
Even though the mask was hot and uncomfortable, kids loved pretending to be the alien who ate cats and cracked jokes. Walking around the neighborhood as Alf made you instantly popular with anyone who watched the show. While today the costume might look more bizarre than authentic, at the time it was one of the coolest options a kid could pick.
6. E.T. Plastic Mask
E.T. was a massive hit in the ’80s, and of course, there were costumes for kids who adored the little alien. Unfortunately, most of them were simply vinyl smocks with “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial” printed in big letters across the chest. The plastic mask had bulging eyes and a squashed head, and it didn’t quite capture E.T.’s lovable look.
Kids still wore them proudly, shuffling around like they had phoned home themselves. Parents couldn’t resist snapping pictures of their little extraterrestrials, even if the costumes looked more creepy than cute. The charm of being part of the biggest movie of the decade outweighed the discomfort. Looking back, though, the plastic E.T. mask feels more suited to a horror movie than a children’s classic.
7. Rubik’s Cube Costume
Few things represent the ’80s like the Rubik’s Cube, so naturally, someone thought it would make a good Halloween costume. Most were giant cardboard boxes painted to look like the cube, which meant kids could barely move their arms or sit down. Walking in one of these required careful balance, and stairs were practically impossible.
Despite the awkwardness, kids who wore the cube costume loved the attention. It was colorful, instantly recognizable, and totally on trend with the times. The downside was that trick-or-treating took twice as long because you had to shuffle slowly from house to house. Still, showing up at a Halloween party as a life-sized puzzle made you unforgettable.
8. California Raisins Outfit
The California Raisins were everywhere in the late ’80s, so it’s no surprise kids dressed up as them for Halloween. The costumes often consisted of an oversized, lumpy raisin suit with white gloves, sneakers, and big cartoon sunglasses. The look was more comical than scary, but that was exactly the point.
Kids strutted down the street humming “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” and pretending to dance like the stop-motion raisins from the commercials. Parents loved how fun and silly the costumes were, even if they didn’t always fit through doorways. They weren’t the most flattering outfits, but they captured the quirky spirit of the decade.
9. Mr. T Costume
The ’80s wouldn’t be complete without Mr. T, and plenty of kids wanted to dress like him for Halloween. The costume usually came with a printed smock featuring muscles and gold chains, along with a plastic mask of his stern face. The mohawk was molded into the mask, though it never looked quite right.
Kids loved walking around growling “I pity the fool!” while collecting candy. The outfit may not have looked authentic, but it gave them a chance to feel tough and larger than life. Parents probably thought it was a little over the top, but kids adored being one of the decade’s most iconic TV personalities.
10. Strawberry Shortcake Costume
Strawberry Shortcake was a huge hit with kids, and her Halloween costumes were just as popular. The vinyl smock usually had her image printed on the front, while the mask featured rosy cheeks and her signature bonnet. Unfortunately, the mask often made her look more eerie than sweet.
Still, little girls adored dressing as their favorite fruity doll. Many would carry matching Strawberry Shortcake lunchboxes or dolls to complete the look. Parents found it adorable, even if the plastic mask didn’t quite capture the character’s charm. It was one of the cuter options in an era of otherwise bizarre costumes.
11. Masters of the Universe Characters
Kids who loved He-Man or Skeletor begged for costumes based on Masters of the Universe. The plastic masks looked nothing like the action figures, often making Skeletor appear more like a lumpy skeleton than a fearsome villain. The smocks featured bright graphics and logos rather than actual outfits.
Even so, these costumes were a badge of honor for kids who were obsessed with Saturday morning cartoons. Carrying a plastic sword or staff made the look feel more complete, even if the main costume pieces were disappointing. Kids proudly declared “I have the power!” while tripping over their vinyl capes.
12. Care Bears Costume
Care Bears were the ultimate cuddly friends of the ’80s, and kids couldn’t resist dressing as them. The costumes usually came with a simple smock decorated with the bear’s belly badge and a round, smiling mask. In reality, the mask was more uncanny than comforting, with a stiff plastic grin that never moved.
Despite the odd appearance, kids loved the chance to be Cheer Bear, Grumpy Bear, or any of the others. Parents thought it was precious, and many snapped photos that still surface in family albums today. The costumes might not have been very comfortable, but they gave kids the chance to embody the characters they hugged every night before bed.
