Where To Find The East Yorkshire Halloween Costume Swap Event For Families

It's that time of year again. The nights are drawing in, there's a definite chill in the air, and pumpkins are starting to appear on doorsteps. That can only mean one thing: Halloween is just around the corner. For many families, especially those with young children, the pressure is on to find the perfect outfit for dressing up. But let's be honest, hunting down a spooky, sparkly, or superhero costume can be a bit of a faff, not to mention expensive.

Often, an outfit gets worn for one night of trick-or-treating and is then shoved to the back of the wardrobe, never to be seen again. Well, what if there was a better way? A way to get a brilliant 'new to you' costume without spending a penny, all while doing a good turn for the planet. Sounds good, right? Luckily for residents in East Yorkshire, local libraries are bringing back a brilliant scheme to help everyone get into the spooky spirit.

What is the Halloween costume swap?

Imagine a place where last year's forgotten pirate costume could become this year's treasured vampire outfit for another child. That's the simple but brilliant idea behind the East Yorkshire Libraries' costume swap event. It's a community-focused scheme designed to help families save money and reduce waste. The idea is that people can donate old, unwanted Halloween costumes that their children have outgrown, and in return, browse a collection of donated outfits to find a perfect 'new to you' one to take home. It's a fantastic way to refresh the dressing up box and get into the Halloween spirit. The whole process is super simple.

From now until Sunday, 19 October, residents can pop into any of the participating libraries to drop off any clean, pre-loved costumes. Then, from Monday, 20 October, right through to Sunday, 2 November, the doors are open for everyone to come and pick up a costume. And the best bit? Anyone can pick up an outfit, even if they haven't been able to donate one. It's a lovely gesture that makes sure all children in the community have the chance to enjoy dressing up. This fantastic event is all about sharing and making sure the fun of Halloween is accessible for all families.

More than just a spooky outfit

This fantastic scheme is about so much more than just finding a free costume. It's a wonderful way to bring people together and build a real sense of community. Sharing resources, helping out neighbours, and taking part in a local event is what it's all about. It also teaches children a valuable lesson about recycling and sustainability. Instead of buying something new that's often made of cheap plastic and flown halfway around the world, they get to see how giving an old item a new life can be just as exciting. The librarians behind the project are really passionate about its benefits.

Jess McCarthy, a librarian with East Riding Libraries, said:

"We're so glad to be doing the costume swap for Halloween again this year. It's a great way to get involved with the holiday while also doing your bit for the environment."

It's a sentiment shared by her colleague, Tara Foxon, who highlighted the financial pressures many families face. "Halloween can be an expensive time for families who need to buy new costumes. We're trying to make sure everyone can get into the spooky spirit without having to spend a fortune," she said. "Whether they're donating an old costume or picking a new one, it's a lovely way to bring the community into libraries across the East Riding." It's clear this initiative is about supporting the community as much as it is about celebrating Halloween.

Saving pennies and the planet

Let's talk about the bigger picture for a moment. This costume swap tackles two big issues at once: the rising cost of living and environmental waste. The initiative was first introduced in 2024 to address these exact problems. Councillor Nick Coultish, a cabinet member at East Riding Council, explained the thinking behind it. ''This scheme was introduced in 2024 to help reduce the need to buy brand-new costumes for single use, which can be damaging to the environment," he said.

Think about it. Many Halloween costumes are made from materials like polyester, which is a type of plastic. They're often not built to last and, after a few hours of fun, they can end up in the bin and, eventually, in a landfill. By encouraging people to recycle outfits, East Riding Libraries are helping to cut down on this waste. Councillor Coultish added, ''East Riding Libraries want to encourage recycling costumes rather than purchasing new ones. The scheme also helps with the rising cost of living for families.'' It's a win-win situation. Families save money, and everyone helps protect the environment for the future. It turns the simple act of dressing up into a positive action for the whole community.

Where to find your local swap spot

Ready to get involved? The costume swap is taking place across East Yorkshire, making it easy for residents to participate. Just remember, parents and carers need to give their consent for donations, and the libraries can't be held responsible for the costumes. Also, there's no guarantee that everyone will find the perfect outfit, but with lots of donations, there should be plenty to choose from! Here are the participating libraries where you can donate and pick up a costume:

• Beverley Library
• Bridlington Central Library
• Goole Library
• Haltemprice Library and Customer Services
• Pocklington Pocela Centre
• South Cave Library
• Withernsea Centre

And for those who can't get to a main branch, the mobile library service is also taking part in the event, bringing the Halloween spirit to even more corners of the community. So, before heading to the shops, why not find that old spider costume or witch's hat and donate it for another child to enjoy? It's a brilliant way to join in the Halloween fun, support local families, and look after our planet.