Halloween is quickly approaching. Does your child know what he wants to be? Avoid the last minute rush to local costume stores only to find bare shelves! Here's a list of ideas for helping your child figure out what he wants to be this Halloween:

• Movie characters. Movie characters are always very popular, and this year there are a ton of characters to choose from. And while main characters - Harry Potter, for example, or Shrek - are wildly popular, you can always choose a secondary character and help your child stand out. And don't forget movies like Star Wars and Pirates of the Caribbean!
• Disney characters. Disney characters are always a very popular choice. Is there a Disney movie that your child likes in particular? Characters like Buzz Lightyear, Peter Pan and Captain Hook have become the new Disney classics.
• Classic costumes. Speaking of classics, old tried and true costumes always make a good choice. Choose from ninjas, pirates and clowns!
• Scary costumes. If your child loves scary stories, chances are a scary costume will totally thrill him. Scary costumes are definitely classics, and you can take your pick from among monsters, zombies, vampires and a lot more.
• Superheroes. What kid doesn't like the idea of being a superhero? You'll find a wide range of superhero costumes in stores: Batman, Robin, Spiderman, Superman, Flash from the Justice League. Superhero costumes are great for regular dress-up play time, too.

Run through this list of ideas with your child, and then head out to the stores or go online and find the perfect costume for your child this Halloween. And don't forget to get lightsticks and other safety items, for a safe and wonderful Halloween.