Make your child’s Halloween costume a bit eeek-o-friendly this year. There are plenty of ways to come up with a creative get-up without buying a brand new costume. Plus, there are a few popular Halloween accessories that you may just want to consider avoiding this season. Here are Terri’s ‘Top 5 Ways to Green Your Halloween Costume.”

1) Take Part in A Costume Swap
Costume swaps are taking place all over the country this year. You can host your own swap party with family and friends or click here to find out how to participate in National Costume Swap Day. You’ll not only give once-used costumes a longer life, you’ll also be saving a whole lot of money by not buying a new one.

2) Go to Goodwill
Goodwill is a Halloween enthusiast’s playground. Whether you’re looking for an outrageous outfit, costume jewelry, or fancy dress shoes to complete your Halloween vision, you’re sure to find it here and all for a steal!

3) Seek Out Non-Toxic Make-Up
Ban toxic Halloween make-up from your costume. The FDA recommends checking the products ingredient list. Specifically, look to see if any of the color additives in the make-up kit are not approved for use by the FDA. Click here to see the entire list. The Environmental Working Group suggests making your own colored make-up to ensure there is no dangerous lead in it. Here’s a link to their make-up recipes. And one last note, at the end of the night make sure to wash your face to get all that ghoulish make-up off.

4) Watch the Teeth!
We’ve all heard plenty about the potential dangers of certain kinds of flexible plastic which contain hormone disrupting phthalates. Some of the plastic considered dangerous is actually used to make Halloween masks and those fake teeth you see so many people putting in their mouths. The Environmental Working Group suggests doing without those accessories since they are not always labeled properly.

5) Don’t Buy Another Plastic Pumpkin
We see them on the arm of so many cute kids – that plastic pumpkin to collect trick or treat goodies. Instead of buying yet another plastic pumpkin, have your child bring along something reusable instead. It could be a pillowcase or a reusable shopping bag.