Halloween is right around the corner, and many families are beginning to pick out costumes for the kids. If you want your children to represent your military family well during this year's Trick-or-Treat festivities, consider dressing them up in a patriotic costume. Take a look at AFBA's top 10 favorite USA-inspired costumes.
1. Captain America
What better way to embody the American spirit than the First Avenger himself? Your sons and daughters can go as the shield-wielding hero and still represent the country you serve by wearing the star-spangled uniform.
2. Statue of Liberty
This costume is a great opportunity to test out your DIY skills. Sons or daughters of military members will be the hit of the Halloween parade as they proudly carry the torch of liberty in front of them. See how to make your own Statue of Liberty costume here.
3. Astronaut
Take your patriotism to infinity and beyond as your dress up your little guy or gal as a space pioneer. Proudly display the American flag patch on the astronaut's uniform, and get crafty by doubling the space helmet as a candy holder.
4. Olympic Athlete
Few things are more American than sports. Give your kids the chance to shine by dressing them up as gold medalists. If you are feeling creative, you could even create a Wheaties box with their face on it to serve as a Trick-or-Treat basket. Easily accessorize this costume with a reflective sweat band and light up athletic shoes to help you see them in the dark.
5. Revolutionary Patriots
Picture how adorable your little ones will look dressed up as Abe Lincoln, Ben Franklin or Betsy Ross. Colonial outfits are easily rented, and who knows? Maybe your son or daughter will even learn something about a historical figure in the process.
6. Military Dress Uniforms
Make your kids the spitting image of the servicemember in your family by putting them in their very own dress blues. Most Halloween costume shops will have a variety of military dress uniforms available. All that is left to do is let your kids pick out their favorites.
7. First Responder
Nothing is quite a patriotic as a hometown hero. Dress your little ones up as firefighters, police officers or emergency medical service workers for a good old-fashioned American Halloween.
8. Rosie the Riveter
Give your kids the chance to relive history with this costume. Rosie the Riveter was an iconic image from World War II, but your children will be equally iconic as they stroll through the neighborhood calling out, "We can do it!" Here is an affordable DIY option for this costume.
9. Field Medic
You can get creative with this costume idea. When you dress your children up as a military field medic, you get the opportunity to use the medic's bag as a candy holder. This is another outfit that most Halloween shops will have in stock.
10. Military K-9 Trainer
Want an opportunity to bring the beloved family dog along on Halloween? Dress your kids up as military K-9 trainers. This costume could consist of an all-black outfit with a patch that reads, "K-9 Handler." Accessories might include a whistle and a bag of treats for the well-behaved pup.
Halloween is an exciting time for children. While most kids might dress up as story book characters and princesses, you can give your children the opportunity to portray real life heroes. Most of the costumes above are easy to put together, and many of them will be a hit with your kids. Even though Halloween is a typically patriotic holiday, you can still use it as an opportunity to promote the feeling in the children of your military family.