Halloween costumes don’t have to stop at capes, masks and face paint this year.

From witches and vampires to much-loved film, TV and gaming characters, Halloween costumes increasingly stretch far beyond traditional spooky staples. Previous UK research from Mintel has found that popular culture is having a big influence on how people dress for Halloween, with major film releases helping to drive interest in fancy dress.

But transforming into a favourite character doesn’t have to stop with the outfit itself. With a little imagination, the everyday things children already have around them can become part of their make-believe world too.

To give families some inspiration ahead of Halloween, premium children’s bike brand woom has created a guide to ten costume ideas that take dressing-up beyond the outfit itself – showing how children’s bikes and accessories can be transformed into everything from broomsticks and racing cars to space-age rides.

Whether it’s turning a bike into a witch’s broom, giving a superhero their own set of wheels or using a POP Kids’ Bike Basket to carry trick-or-treat treasure, the ideas are designed to give parents simple inspiration for making this year’s costumes more imaginative.

The Halloween Costume Guide

1. Witch:

· Start with a classic black or purple outfit, striped tights and a pointed witch’s hat, adding face paint or a little glitter for a more playful take. A homemade wand and cuddly black cat can help little witches get into character.

· Take the costume one step further: Turn their bike into the witch’s broomstick, using removable decorations to carry the theme beyond the outfit. The jungle green woom EXPLORE 5 provides a playful Halloween ride for children aged 7-11.

2. Vampire:

· A white shirt, dark trousers or dress and flowing black cape are the foundations of an easy vampire look. Add slicked-back hair, pale face paint and costume fangs for a spooky finishing touch.

· Take the costume one step further: Carry the dark theme onto their wheels with the black woom OFF 4 and a READY Kids’ Helmet in charcoal metallic for a suitably dark combination. The POP Kids’ Bike Basket can also become the all-important trick-or-treat sweet carrier.

3. Ice queen:

· Recreate an icy fairytale look with a pale blue dress or outfit, a side plait and snowflake-inspired accessories. A touch of silver or blue face glitter can add some extra magic without needing an elaborate costume.

· Take the costume one step further: Extend the icy colour palette onto their bike, using the metallic turquoise woom GO 2 and the POP Kids’ Bike Basket in bubble gum blue for an extra splash of frosty colour.

4. Spider-inspired superhero:

· A red and blue outfit is an easy starting point, with a superhero mask completing the instantly recognisable look. For a DIY version, parents can add a simple web pattern and spider emblem to a plain red top.

· Take the costume one step further: Carry the superhero theme onto their wheels, pairing the red woom GO 3 with the READY Kids’ Helmet + READY Helmet Light and adding removable web-inspired decorations where safe to do so.

5. Werewolf:

· Start with brown, grey or black clothing, adding faux-fur cuffs, wolf ears and simple face paint to create a werewolf look. A little messy hair and homemade claws can add to the transformation without needing an elaborate costume.

· Take the costume one step further: Pair the look with the black woom OFF 4, whose dark frame and off-road styling make a natural match for a werewolf prowling around after dark. Add a READY Kids’ Helmet in a dark colour and the black BING Bell to complete the look.

6. Space Ranger:

· Start with a white outfit and add green and purple details, with a homemade control panel on the chest or wrist. Cardboard or felt wings can complete the look when children are off the bike.

· Take the costume one step further: Turn their bike into a space-age vehicle, adding removable stars or planet-inspired decorations around the frame or basket. The metallic blue woom GO 3 AUTOMAGIC paired with the bubble gum blue POP Kids’ Bike Basket creates a suitably space-age ride.

7. Creeper-inspired costume:

· Go all-in on green with a green top and trousers, then create a pixelated face using black card or felt. A simple cardboard head can make the costume instantly recognisable while keeping it easy to recreate at home.

· Take the costume one step further: The jungle green woom EXPLORE 5 is a natural colour match. Removable black pixel-style decorations can bring the theme onto the bike – as long as nothing interferes with wheels, brakes, lights or other safety-critical parts.

8. Demon Hunters:

· Think bold colours, metallic details, sparkle and statement hair accessories. A long purple braid, bright pink ponytail or colourful pigtails can help children recreate a distinctive aesthetic.

· Take the costume one step further: Carry the bold colour palette onto their wheels with the neon coral woom EXPLORE 6, adding removable colourful details to the bike. Finish the look with the BING Bell in neon pink for an extra pop of colour.

9. Bluey-inspired costume:

· Keep this one simple for little ones with a blue outfit, homemade ears and a tail. A little blue face paint can complete the transformation.

· Take the costume one step further: The dreamy sky blue woom WOW becomes a playful ride for toddlers aged 9-36 months. Buddy, the soft toy that accompanies the WOW, can join the adventure as their trusty sidekick.

10. Minion-inspired costume:

· A yellow top, denim dungarees and black shoes are all that’s needed for an instantly recognisable look. Add round goggles and a yellow hat or headband with a few strands of black hair.

· Take the costume one step further: The vibrant yellow woom GO 1 provides a bright finishing touch for some of Halloween’s littlest characters. Designed for children from 18 months, it is a simple way to bring the bike into the costume story.

Simon Timlett, UK Country Manager at woom, said:

“Halloween is a great opportunity for children to let their imaginations run wild and become their favourite characters. We wanted to show that the fun doesn’t have to stop with the costume itself, and that a bike can become part of the adventure too.

“Something children already use every day can become part of that imaginary world too, whether their bike becomes a witch’s broomstick, a racing car or a space-age vehicle. The important thing is keeping it simple, creative and, if children are riding, making sure their costume and any decorations don’t get in the way of using their bike safely.”