The internet is an overflowing cornucopia of Halloween costume ideas for little kids. Most of them involve what seems to be one thousand accessories. Who has time for that? Not me. So I’m here to share some ideas that are sure to be fairly easy to construct with no more than 5 parts (because I see you, I see your life) and will also guarantee exactly one person will *get* who your kid is. But reader, that person will probably be your new best friend, because you’ll clearly be sharing the same moxie and sense of humor. So this is really both an easy costume strategy and a way to find a new mom friend.  You’re welcome!

And with that, here we go:

Richard Scarry’s Lowly Worm

Particularly great for slithery babies.  Bonus points if a sibling goes as Hucklecat.

You will need:

• Robin Hood-like hat
• Blue shirt
• Bow tie
• Red chucks
• Apple (to represent Lowly’s apple car, obviously)

Garrison Keillor

Perfect for pudgy babies who don’t want to be just another Winston Churchill.

You will need:

• Pillsbury buttermilk biscuits container (if you’re feeling really gung-ho, create your own “Powdermilk Biscuits” label to affix overtop the conventional brand)
• Round glasses
• Blazer

One of Ann M. Martin’s Ghostwriters

I might do this myself if I’m being honest…

You will need:

• Sheet with holes cut in, standard sheet-ghost-style
• Copy of any Baby-Sitter’s Club book that has a special acknowledgement to one of her known ghostwriters for their help preparing that manuscript (ex. Peter Lerangis)

Llama Llama Red Pajama

Bonus: pop your little llama straight from Trick-or-Treating into bed without a costume change

You will need:

• Red pajamas
• Stuffed llama lovey
• Ability to say “Llama Llama Trick or Treat, I would like some sweets to eat!” optional, but cute (and messages what they are!)

Gary from Veep

You know you love childlike Gary. Bonus points if you go as Selina and have Gary follow you, but no pressure. This can stand on its own. Unless, you know, the bag is too big…

You will need:

• Large bag (diaper bag, anyone?) that is almost bigger than child, for comedic effect (bonus: carry candy in it)
• Minimal hair (the balder the child, the better here)
• Basic suit

(Public notice: anyone who Trick-or-Treats at my house with a baby Gary from Veep is going to get extra candy. Honestly, anyone who Trick-or-Treats at my house is getting extra candy, what am I going on about? EXTRA CANDY FOR EVERYONE. Gotta compete with all those fall festivals siphoning off my home’s foot traffic somehow, right?)