Children wait for Halloween all year, and their search for the perfect costume can begin months in advance. Finding this elusive treasure, however, may have your head spinning faster than a spider weaves its web. But don't let out a bone-chilling scream yet -- Consumer Guide has concocted a list of costumes to get your cauldron bubbling in time for Halloween.

When stuck for ideas, think back to the mystical and magical tales that kids know and love. Little girls love princesses and ballerinas, so why not combine the two? Let her be ballerina Cinderella this year. Perhaps she wants to be a fairy; in this case, Tinkerbell is always a popular choice, and the Barbie Elina Fairy costume will make her glow on Halloween.

Ballerina Cinderella

As for boys, this year's most popular book can provide inspiration -- tapped-up glasses, a broom and this Harry Potter costume will have him flying all over the place. Maybe your little man is a little tougher and wants to be a crime fighter; if so, think green this Halloween with a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles costume. Let's not forget sci-fi heroes -- with a light saber in one hand and his Halloween bucket in the other, your boy will have the Force on his side while trick-or-treating in a Star Wars outfit.

Kids also look to modern or historical figures for costume inspiration. Boys can go medieval by dressing as kings or knights, while girls can put on a dresses and hats and be queens for the day. Maybe your sock-hop music has inspired your kids to be Elvis or a 1950s girl. Pirates might yell "Arrrrh!" in celebration of getting some tasty treats. Let your little doggies run along on Halloween as cowgirls and cowboys, or even a cow!

Deadly Pirate

Lastly, we enter the eerie category of ghouls and goblins. Halloween just wouldn't be the same without all sorts of creepy creatures running about. Devils will skip merrily down the streets with witches in tow, brooms dragging at their feet. Mummies can limp and moan from house to house in search of more candy. Girls can dress as eerie but spellbinding spider ladies; while little boys dress may as grim reapers carrying sickles with candy bags hanging off the ends.

Sometimes the best costumes are homemade. Costumes can be pieced together from different materials you find in novelty shops, craft supply stores or even your own house. Make sure, however, that costumes are safe to wear. If a child is wearing a mask, make sure they can breathe and see properly. Also, be conscious of the length of your child's costume so they do not trip. Even if it is "uncool," it is helpful to bring along a sweater for nightly trick-or-treating and to make sure that something on the costume stands out in the dark so any drivers can see that he or she is there.

Bewitching Witch