Top Kids' Halloween Costumes for 2010

Halloween gives your kids the chance to explore their fantasies and dress up as some of their favorite characters. 2010 has definitely been a year for characters, especially in children's literature and movies. Here are some of the best children's Halloween costume characters for 2010 and links on purchasing accessories and Halloween costume kits.

Harry Potter is back with a vengeance as part one of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows hits theaters this fall. Your pre-teens will still enjoy dressing up as their favorite Harry Potter characters, especially since the actors have aged gotten a little trendier in the newer movie. Hermione, Ron and Harry are all a litter cuter and so is your pre-teen. If your child can't wear her old Harry Potter costume, pick up up a new Gryffindor Robe, about $30 at Toys"R"Us. Target has a plethora of fun, budget-friendly Harry Potter costume accessories, including Harry's broom and the Gryffindor House Scarf. Amazon offers a basic Harry Potter costume kit for $20 with the hooded cloak, magic wand and Harry's signature eyeglasses. If your child's old Gryffindor robe still fits, pick up some inexpensive accessories to vamp up the costume, like a plastic replica of Harry Potter's Order of the Phoenix wand, about $4 at PartyProducts.com, and the Harry Potter Economy Tie, about $3 on Amazon. Die-hard Harry Potter fans will also appreciate the slightly more expensive, but more unique, Harry Potter Quidditch Robe Child Costume, about $29 from QVC.

Let your little man show his respect for the King of Pop with a mini Michael Jackson costume. The most budget-friendly Michael Jackson children's costume runs about $30 at MrCostumes.com. Pair the kit's black pop shirt (with Michael's signature gold frog clasps), gold glitter glove, Michael Jackson wig and black sunglasses with regular black pants and shoes. You can also break the bank with a full-on Michael Jackson's child's Thriller costume. The officially licensed faux red leather Thriller jacket, $80 from FierceCostumes.com, can be paired with the child's Michael Jackson black glitter hat, $24.99, and the silver glitter glove and leggings set, $16.99. Or your child can do a take on Bad with the children's Bad black/buckled jacket, about $40 from HalloweenCostumes4U.com.

One of the biggest kids blockbusters in 2010 was The Last Airbender, a remake of the Avatar cartoon. These newly licensed The Last Airbender children's costumes can be a little pricey, from $60 at Target to $85 at ToyWiz.com. But if you look you can find some $30 versions of the Katara and Aang costumes from BuyCostumes.com and HalloweenCostumes4U.com. Save money by using a bald cap, white tunic, linen pants and brown ribbon to create Aang's outfit and gladiator wrap sandals. Deluxe versions of the Aang costume come with his yellow and orange robes and a bald cap. Deluxe Sokka and Zuko kids costumes are also available.

In November 2010, Disney will give our kids yet another blonde Disney Princess when they release Rapunzel-Unbraided. Let your child get a head-start on the Rapunzel costume before her friends. The officially licensed Rapunzel costume from Shrek the Third costs about $30 at Buy.com, or go for the Rapunzel Barbie wig for $15 through CostumeZone.com.

The 2010 release of Ramona and Beazus brings back another childhood classic character. If your child wants to be Ramona for Halloween you may have a hard time finding an easy, costume kit. Instead, go for cheap red overalls, a yellow undershirt and a short, brown pixie-wig. Let her carry a plastic baggie filled with toothpaste to offer to her neighbors as she goes trick or treating.

Nanny McPhee returns to cinemas in August 2010. Your child can do a modern take on the classic witch Halloween costume by going as Nanny McPhee. Wear a basic black cape over a black dress, stockings and shoes. Find a black Sunday hat, with a small flower, at a local thrift store. Hairspray and teasing will make your child's hair messy and unruly. Add some costume make-up warts, a tooth sticking out of her top lip, and don't forget the giant, brown glass medicine bottle and her walking stick.

Finally, what inspires a day of dress-up more than the re-release of Alice in Wonderland? With so many colorful characters to choose from, your child is sure to find a Wonderland resident he wants to be. Alice in Wonderland characters are usually so recognizable, even by older relatives and neighbors, a simply costume goes a long way. And you can completely ignore gender roles: Mad Hatter is just as cute on girls as it is on boys. A variety of budget Alice dresses, stockings and hairbows will make your little girl ready for Wonderland. Or go for the Mad Hatter, Queen of Hearts, Caterpillar, Walrus, March Hare, etc. The possibilities are endless. New versions of the classic costumes match the new movie, like Johnny Depps paisley Mad Hatter hat and the Red Queen's heart-shaped wig.