If your child will be participating in a religious pageant, play or festival, then you will probably be tasked with finding a religious-themed costume. Fortunately, finding ready-made children's religious costumes is a relatively simple task - and some of these types of outfits are also easy to make.
Christian Costumes for Kids
Children often wear religious costumes representative of the Christian faith for plays, pageants and other celebrations and events related to Christmas and Easter. Christmas celebrates the birth of Christ and Easter celebrates his resurrection.
- Mary and Joseph: Mary is often portrayed wearing a blue robe and white gown, while her husband, Joseph, wears a tunic and gown. CostumeSuperCenter.com carries Mary costumes (small 4-6, medium 8-10 and large 12-14) for $24. They also offer a colorful Joseph costume for $50.
- Shepherds: The shepherds who watched the night of Christ's birth wear shorter robes, simple wrapped head scarves and shawls to protect against the cold night air. Lynch's Theatrical Department Store carries a shepherd costume (size 12-14 only), with robe and cloak, for $30.
- Angels: In white gowns with wings, angels proclaimed Christ's birth. Party City carries beautiful angel gowns (small, medium, large) and halos for $10. You can add heavenly wings for $10.
- Three Wise Men: Children love to dress as Melchior, Balthazar and Casper - the Three Wise Men - in their colorful gowns of purple, gold and green and their golden crowns. Lynch's Theatrical Department Store offers children's Wise Men costumes (one size) with robe and head scarf in rich velour for $26.
- Roman Soldier: Brands on Sale carries Easter costumes including a boy's Roman soldier's tunic and belt (small 4-6, medium 8-10 and large 12-14) for $39 and a breastplate for $29.
Children's Costumes for Jewish Observances
Purim, Hanukah and Passover are times of celebration in the Jewish calendar. Purim recalls when Queen Esther saved the Jewish people from destruction. Hanukah, the Festival of Lights, celebrates the rededication of the Temple. Passover, a very holy time of year, recalls when Moses led the Jewish people out of Egypt. What better way to play or perform than with costumes of heroes and heroines?
- Moses: At the CostumeSupercenter.com, a costume for Moses (boy's sizes small 4-6, medium 8-10, and large 12-14) includes a robe, gown and belt for $18. You can add a full, grey beard for $16.
- Queen Esther: Costumes4Less.com carries a number of religious costumes, including Queen Esther (girl's sizes small 4-6, medium 8-10, and large 12-14) for $23 and a queen's crown for $9.
- Shabbas: Lynch's Theatrical Department Store carries a costume representing the Shabbas (Sabbath) Queen (girl's sizes small 4-6, medium 8-10, and large 12-14). This white dress, head scarf and apron decorated with Jewish symbols is appropriate for many celebrations and costs $26.
Children's Costumes for Hindu Observances
Hindu celebrations call for lovely traditional clothing to wear with friends and family at weddings, festivals and religious ceremonies. These include Diwali, the festival of lights, which occurs in autumn, and Holi, the festival of colors, a spring event where everyone throws colored powder at each other in fun.
- Pavada: Girls may wear a pavada, which is a long skirt, blouse and sometimes, a scarf. Utsav Fashion carries a girl's pavada set is $48, although prices vary widely based on materials and design. Sizes vary as well, from one year to 8 years old, so check the size chart before ordering.
- Kurta: Boys look elegant in a long jacket call a kurta, worn with leggings or trousers. At the Jabong website, a richly-colored kurta is $45, sizes 18 months to 5 years old. Since sizes vary widely, you will need to check the measurement chart for the most accurate fit.
Homemade Kids' Religious Costumes
If you are working on a tight budget, making your own religious costumes for kids is a frugal alternative to purchasing a traditional costume. It is not difficult to learn how to make Biblical costumes for kids. Many can be fashioned with items you already have around the house. Those with sewing skills can also make more complex costumes, like kurtas and pavadas.
