The Halloween season is a perfect opportunity for kids and parents to share fun experiences. Halloween brings about fun movies, special TV episodes from favorite series, and one of the biggest components which I’ll share with you today: costumes!

As a parent, it is becoming more apparent that I need to hold onto these early years. They might not appreciate dear, old dad as they approach their pre-teen and teenage years. I’m not saying it’s inevitable and I hope we avoid those “leave me alone” moments, but I want to take advantage of every single time when my kids want me to do something.

After last Halloween, they asked me if I would dress up as a particular Scooby-Doo character. I shrugged my shoulders and said, “Sure, whatever you want.” The Mystery Incorporated member they wanted me to dress as? Velma. It’s one of those things where I only want them to have fun, and especially know that I want to spend time with them, too, even if it’s to dress up as one of their favorite Scooby-Doo characters.

Dressing Up as Scooby-Doo Characters and Letting My Kids Take Pictures

My kids changed their minds on who they wanted to see me dress up as, with Daphne taking the lead in the past few months. This means I had to seek help with getting into this Halloween costume. I borrowed a purple skirt and sweater from my wife to dawn the Daphne look, while my daughter let me borrow her green scarf and purple headband. I used a neck gaiter for hair, because I need all of the help I can to cover every inch of balding action I have going on. On top of that, I rummaged through my own clothes to see who else I could dress up as, because I knew it would only make my kids’ day.

I put together a collection of other clothing items to also become Shaggy and Fred. Unfortunately, there wasn’t an orange sweater and red skirt to make my initial kids’ dreams come true. Though, it does help that my son does have a mini-Scooby stuffed animal to lighten the load of how many characters I transform into. Trust me, if your kids ask you to dress up – they will be thrilled with your decision to join them in whatever they want. It’s okay for them to see us in things that are out of character, while showing them it’s okay to be lighthearted and have fun.

Also, my kids love being able to borrow my phone and take pictures. This is a great way to let them have some responsibility, while they tell me where to stand or direct what scene I’m taking part in for the camera. In these three photos, I’m acting scared like Shaggy, trying to avoid Scooby as he licks my face, and setting a trap like Fred; and, yes, they asked me to hide behind a fan. It was a fun day of playing dress-up, and now, they want me to dress up more often. If anything, they loved being in control as they set scenes and their creativity took over!

Geeky Parent Guide Costume Challenge

This was a silly and fun experience for me and my kiddos. They were excited when I shouted, “Scooby-Doo, where are you?” from the bedroom to let them know it was happening. As a parent, it’s all I can do to try and make them happy, and they were over-the-moon happy and giggling during each of my outfit changes.

So, geeky parents out there, I challenge any and all parents to ask their kids what they’d like to see them dressed up as. They might surprise you with their answers, or it just might not be feasible. My kids’ choice for me was made possible by working with items we already had in our house; and if you see the pictures of our home, it’s not spotless in the least – #parentlife.

Ask your kids what they want you to be for Halloween and just say, “Okay.” Your kids will be super excited and you will enjoy seeing them light up with joy. If you can’t make it work, because you don’t have the items or you’re on a budget like our family, then ask your kids what else you can be. It’s a great way to have an open conversation about trying to be responsible with money, while also letting them know you’re interested in what they want to do. It’s a wonderful feeling to have these conversations with our kids, because hopefully this will translate to them finding it easier to communicate about more challenging issues as they get older.

If you are able to take on this Halloween costume challenge, tag us on social media and share your pictures with us. You can use the hashtag, “#gpgCostumeChallenge” and tag us on Facebook and Twitter. I’d love to see everyone’s fun experiences and what your kids think of when they imagine their parents dressing up in costume. If you have fun, maybe it will even become a tradition where you do it again year after year.

To get a full look at their most expansive scene they directed, check out their pictures of me capturing a monster in a “net.” Both Adelaide and Marshall worked together and they set the scene while I was getting changed, so they truly were in charge of this activity.

Until next time, friends, happy parenting and happy geeking.