Superhero movies are more popular today than ever before. Filmmakers are breathing new life into the great comic book characters of the past—and with this comes a new, young fanbase. Superheroes are more than just guardians and freedom fighters to young children—they’re role models.
When a child dresses up as a superhero, they become the character. They feel the power surge through them. It’s as if they absorb the strength, abilities and intelligence of the costume they wear.
1. Try a variety of colours
Perhaps the number one recognisable trait of a superhero—the first thing people notice—is the colours they wear. Spiderman wears red and blue, Deadpool wears red and black—the colours are embedded in our minds.
You child may choose their favourite colours, or colours that represent the type of hero they want to be. A child who loves water, for example, might choose a blue and green bodysuit morphsuit. T-shirts with leggings or pyjamas are also great dress-up options.
2. Keep your identity a secret
This is another important aspect of a superhero’s identity—you rarely know who they really are! Superman, for example, only revealed his true identity of Clark Kent to those he deemed worthy.
Masks are one of the simplest ways to hide your identity. They’re fun to make, and children love hiding behind them! You can make a mask from the following bits and pieces:
– Flexible felt, cardboard or paper
– Elastic (to make the mask wearable)
– Scissors
– Glue
– Decorative items (like glitter, feathers or sequins)
– A mask template if it helps
3. Make your cape
A superhero is rarely seen without their cape. And what’s more, a cape is super easy to make! You can use any large piece of material you have lying around, from an old t-shirt, to a bedsheet, to a piece of newspaper. Try decorating your cape with a unique logo.
4. Design a recognisable logo
When you think about Batman, you think about his iconic logo of a black bat in a yellow circle. Remember—simplicity is key! You may want to follow the colour scheme you designed earlier. This way, your logo can be easily matched to your costume. Logos can be made from felt and glue or drawn on paper.
5. Add accessories
The right accessories will add a unique flair to your new costume. Try some of these ideas, which can be bought or made at home:
– Swords and shields
– Hats or headbands
– Wristbands or gloves
– Jewellery (earrings, pendants, bracelets)
– Glasses
– Gloves
– Belts
6. Time to show off!
Now your child has their costume ready to go—it’s time to embrace the character, and dive into the world of imagination. If your child is a true creative type, they might enjoy writing a story about their character, or drawing pictures of their adventures. Can they blast holes through walls, or become invisible? Encourage your child to fully flesh out their character, and let their imagination run wild!