Parents across Merseyside are embracing a free Halloween costume swap scheme to sidestep what one mother called "completely extortionate" prices. According to BBC News, Knowsley Council is running the initiative during half-term to help families reduce spending and keep unwanted costumes out of landfill.
Lola Roberts, who attended Prescot Library with her children, discovered the swap shop after initially visiting for a craft activity. When her son selected a clown costume priced at £40, she showed him the free alternatives available through the scheme instead. She praised the community atmosphere and called for similar events throughout the year, noting that children need fancy dress for school discos and other occasions beyond Halloween.
The initiative reflects a broader trend across the UK. Research cited by the council found that approximately 90% of families purchasing Halloween costumes nationally buy new ones each year, contributing to both household expenses and textile waste. UK families are increasingly turning to costume swaps and DIY projects as overall Halloween spending continues to climb.
How does the swap scheme work?
Knowsley Council invited families to donate unwanted costumes at borough libraries from 1 September onwards, ahead of the October half-term swap events. The 2026 programme included events at Halewood, Stockbridge Village, Prescot and Huyton libraries, where children tried on costumes and participated in craft activities. The council welcomed costumes beyond traditional spooky outfits, accepting superhero costumes like Spider-Man and creative combinations such as a "zombie mermaid".
Why is reducing costume waste important?
Grace Barlow, from Knowsley Council's recycling engagement team, explained that the scheme aims to ease financial pressure on parents while tackling textile waste.
"There's such a huge pressure on parents to be buying new costumes every year,"she said. Barlow, who has two children herself, noted that costumes frequently end up stored away or discarded after a single use. The council had previously run successful events offering pre-loved Christmas jumpers and hopes the Halloween scheme will become an annual fixture.
Roberts said she had already set aside a bag of unwanted costumes at home and welcomed the chance for other families to reuse them.
"There's such a good sense of community here,"she said. She expressed concern that children should not feel excluded from celebrations because their families cannot afford new costumes.
What happens next?
The final listed swap-shop event was scheduled for Wednesday 28 October at Huyton Library from 14:00 to 15:30. The council is encouraging families to continue donating unwanted costumes at collection points in its libraries after Halloween so they can be reused by other families in future years.
Key Facts
- Knowsley Council ran free costume swap events at four libraries during October half-term 2026
- Approximately 90% of families buying Halloween costumes nationally purchase new ones annually
- The scheme aims to reduce both household spending and textile waste from single-use costumes
- The council previously ran successful pre-loved Christmas jumper events and plans to repeat the Halloween scheme in future years
