In addition to running a local party kit, I also support the Eco Council at a local primary school. We are working towards the Eco-Schools Green Flag award, and last term, we focused on the topic of waste. One of the ways the children identified to reduce waste was to organise a costume swap for Halloween and World Book Day. This is the first year we're hosting a swap at the school, and this is how we are going to do it.
Why Swapping Costumes Is a Great Idea
Did you know that 4 in 10 Halloween costumes are worn only once before being discarded? According to UK charity Hubbub, this is an alarming statistic, considering both the environmental and financial impact. Many of these costumes, sold for around £15 in supermarkets, are made from polyester – a plastic-based material that requires significant resources and energy to produce.
Reusing costumes not only helps reduce waste but also saves money for families who might otherwise struggle with the cost of a new outfit each year. Costume swaps are an easy and sustainable way to access "new" costumes without spending anything, making them a win-win for both the planet and your wallet.
Swaps have been successfully organised by lots of schools and community groups. Whether it’s school uniforms, fancy dress costumes, or even Christmas jumpers, clothes swaps are a great way to help children from all backgrounds access items while also serving as a fundraising opportunity for schools and Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs).
How to Organise a Costume Swap
There are a few different ways to organise a swap, and the method you choose will depend on your school’s preferences and resources.
True Swap Model: Children bring an item and exchange it for another. This can be managed with a token system or a live event where items are swapped directly. However, this model may exclude children who don’t have an item to contribute.
Donation Model (Our Approach): We’ve opted for a donation-based model. For two weeks, a donation box will be placed in the school office where parents and children can drop off unwanted costumes and accessories. These donations will be checked, sorted by size, and prepped for the swap. We ask that costumes are cleaned before donation, though if a costume needs minor repairs this is okay.
The week before Halloween, our PTA will host a pop-up stall in the playground at school pick-up time, where children can choose a "new-to-them" costume in exchange for an optional donation to the PTA. We plan to hold the stall every day for a week to ensure as many families as possible can participate. Any leftover costumes will be stored for World Book Day, which is coming up in March.
Getting Started: Roles You’ll Need
To successfully organise a costume swap, you’ll need a few key people to help. Here are some suggested volunteer roles:
Communication Lead: This person will handle promoting the swap to the school community through posters, class WhatsApp groups, the school newsletter, and noticeboards. In my case, the children from the Eco Council have also designed posters to display in their classrooms. You could also ask to speak at a school assembly with the added benefit of helping children to understand the environmental benefits of holding a swap.
Donation Sorter: A dedicated volunteer (or, even better, volunteers!) will be needed to check and organise the costume donations. Ideally, one person in the group should be able to make small repairs if necessary, ensuring the costumes are in good condition for swapping.
Pop-up Stall Volunteers: You’ll need a team to run the pop-up stall, displaying donations and helping children pick out costumes.
I've created a Canva template for posters to help you promote the swap. It includes a label to go on the donation collection bin.
Equipment for Organising a Successful Swap
Here’s a list of basic equipment and supplies you’ll need to organize a Halloween costume swap:
Donation Collection Box: Place this in an easily accessible location at the school, such as near the drop-off area or in the school office. Clearly label it with a sign like "Costume Donations Here" to avoid confusion. You may also want to include donation guidelines to ensure the items are appropriate for swapping.
Sorting Bags or Boxes: After collecting donations, volunteers will need bags or boxes to organize the items by size. It may be helpful to have basic cleaning tools like lint rollers or fabric de-pillers on hand, as well as a sewing kit with fabric glue for minor repairs.
Pop-up Stall Display Equipment: To attract interest in the pop-up stall, especially from those who may not regularly buy secondhand items, display costumes neatly on clothes rails or hanging racks. If the school has organised secondhand uniform sales, they may have some already, otherwise it may be possible to borrow some from someone in the local community. Adding size labels can make it easier for people to find the right fit. A table is also useful for laying out smaller items like accessories, masks, hats, and props.
Additional Ideas
Expand Your Swap Stock: If you need more costumes, reach out to the wider community. You could post requests in local Facebook groups, Freecycle, or other community swap forums.
Highlight Success Stories: After the swap, consider sharing stats from the swap including the number of items rehomed and the total money raised for the school. With permission, it might also be nice to share photos of some of the children in their "new" costume.
Repeat the Model: Once you've cracked the organisation of the Halloween Costume Swap, consider using this model for other events, like Christmas jumper swaps or for World Book Day costumes in the spring.
By organising a Halloween costume swap, you’re not only helping families save money but also reducing the environmental impact of fast fashion. It’s a simple initiative with a big potential payoff for both the planet and your school community.
