Last Halloween, I noticed something when I started the inevitable post trick-or-treating Instagram scroll— parents have really stepped up their game. Just a few short years ago, we were all posting haphazard pics of our kids in store bought costumes standing in front of the garage door. Two snaps and we called it a day, smiles be damned.

Now, parents not only come up with kickass costume ideas, they can EXECUTE. They know how to get everyone to stand still for a photo. They’ve got their backdrops down. They won’t stop until every expression is JUST RIGHT.

And the kids? They don’t just wear their costumes, they COMMIT to their character.

Here’s a whole bunch kids that absolutely killed it on Halloween:

Mazzy and Harlow as Mal and Evie:

A post shared by Ilana Wiles (@mommyshorts) on

Audrey and Marilyn from @kcstauffer:

A post shared by Katie (@kcstauffer) on

These girls as Eleanor Roosevelt and Margaret Thatcher:

This baby as John Snow:

Sydney as a Spiderweb from @2sisters_angie:

These girls as the Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus:

Minne and Daisy from @karlareed:

A post shared by Karla Reed (@karlareed) on

The Devil from @whirlybirdwhitney:

These kids as Dustin and Eleven from Stranger Things:

Circus performers from @bonjourmoon:

A post shared by Kerrie Moon (@bonjourmoon) on

These kids as characters from A League of Our Own:

The World’s Strongest Man from @glitterandsweatpants:

Harlow as Anna Wintour:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Ilana Wiles (@mommyshorts) on

Iris Apafel from @anjelikatemple:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Anjelika Temple (@anjelikatemple) on

These kids as the Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter:

80’s Workout Girls from @kcstauffer:

A post shared by Katie (@kcstauffer) on

Belle and the Beast from @livesweetphotography:

This kid as the old man from Up:

Hidden Figures from @zellieimani:

Minion from @somethingnavy:

Circus performers from @nph:

A post shared by Neil Patrick Harris (@nph) on

This girl as Coraline:

Crazy Cat lady from @livesweetphotography:

Harlow as Audrey Hepburn:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Humans of New York (@humansofny) on

These girls as the twins from the Shining:

The Newsies from @kristinrogers:

A post shared by kristinrogers (@kristinrogers) on

Chuckie Doll from @allieroyall:

A post shared by @allieroyall on

Revolutionary Soldier from @northwestmommy:

A post shared by Stasha (@northwestmommy) on

This kid as Abe Lincoln:

Poppy from @etst:

A post shared by Kelle Hampton (@etst) on

These kids as the Beastie Boys:

Richard Simmons from @dearestdaughter:

Marilyn Monroe from @hannahacarpenter:

These kids as the Three Little Pigs & The Big Bad Wolf:

This baby as a Senior Citizen:

These girls from Madeleine:

This kid as the Joker:

This kid as Dwight Schrute:

This girl as an In-N-Out Worker:

These kids from Thriller:

These kids as Daddy Warbucks and Annie:

These kids from Beetlejuice:

This girl as Kate McKinnon in Ghostbusters:

These kids from Star Wars:

This girl as the main character from her favorite book “Stripes”:

This kid as a safety sign:

These kids as the Grinch and Cindy Lou Who

These girls as Cruella DeVille and the Evil Queen:

These kids as KISS:

These kids at the best ’80s Prom Ever:

And finally, Harlow as Wednesday Addams, which she dressed up as for a photo shoot last week:

I always knew her killer glare would come in handy for something.

Don’t forget about the Halloween Costume Awards on Mommy Shorts! I do them every year.  I’ll be posting my favorite costumes and doling out awards the Friday after Halloween, so remember to post your pics on the Mommy Shorts facebook page or use #mommyshortshalloween and tag @mommyshorts on Instagram!