There are some people who dress up for Halloween, and then there are some people who go all out. I admit I tend to associate more with the crazy creatives who challenge themselves to outdo their Halloween ensembles a little bit more each year.
My family starts our planning by brainstorming the perfect theme. Then we work out the details on our coordinating family costumes. (Need inspiration? Here are 13 family costume ideas for Halloween!) And finally, we step up our game by decorating bikes, wagons, and strollers to match!
Not only does decorating your ride give your costumes a little extra oomph, but we've also found that taking our wagon around with us on Halloween night has other benefits -- like the year my potty-training toddlers needed to get home ASAP and we were able to toss them in and book it back home.
Or the year when their little feet got too tired to walk any further through our hilly neighborhood so we loaded up our batmobile and pulled them home.
If you're looking for a little inspiration to take your Halloween costumes up a notch, check out these eight clever ideas for riding in style:
1. A space shuttle
Houston, we have absolutely no problems.
Submitted by: Jourdan Card
2. Santa's Sleigh
Santa's sleigh came with the perfect present!
Submitted by: Amber Blazek
3. Firetruck
On the way to save the day!
Submitted by: LH Sunnie
4. Mario Kart!
You know Luigi always wins.
Credit: Keeping Up With Gus
5. Candy Mobile!
All ready for Candyland!
Submitted by: Tina Lazzara
6. The ice cream truck
I think he wants to keep all his ice cream for himself.
Credit: Keeping Up with Gus
7. The Batmobile
Quick! To the Batmobile!
Submitted by: Sarah Hauge
8. The circus train
Raising kids is a circus, I tell you.
Source: Meghan Gaab
Does your neighborhood have a Halloween parade? These all-out vehicles would be perfect for the occasion.
The one thing to keep in mind: these projects can take a lot of time. So collect your supplies and get started, because whether you're in it for the costume contest prizes or just for a fun photo op, decorating a vehicle to accompany your family's Halloween theme is sure to be a joy ride!
Sarah Hauge is the publisher of Macaroni Kid Englewood, Greenwood Village, Centennial, Colo.