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Putting on an inflatable costume takes about a minute: step in, switch on the built-in fan at your waist, and let it fill out around you. We build every inflatable costume with an open face, so you can see, talk and stay cool while the fan does the work. This guide covers how to inflate yours, what batteries it needs, how to keep it standing all night, and which fancy dress costume to pick. If you are sorting a wider outfit for the season, our guide to the best Halloween costumes covers every style we stock.
Table of Content
- How do you put on an inflatable costume?
- What batteries do inflatable costumes need?
- Can you see and breathe in one?
- Which inflatable costume should you pick?
- How do you keep it inflated all night?
- Frequently asked questions
How do you put on an inflatable costume?
You put on an inflatable costume in about a minute: load the fan pack with batteries, step in, seal it up, and switch the fan on. The costume fills with air around you in 30 to 60 seconds and holds its shape as long as the fan keeps running. The same method works for every inflatable we make, whether it is a Pick Me Up, a light-up MegaMorph or a giant character costume.
- Load the battery pack with four AA batteries and clip it to your waistband.
- Step into the costume and push both arms through.
- Seal it at the back so no air escapes through the opening.
- Switch the fan on at the pack.
- Give it 30 to 60 seconds to fill out fully.
- Settle the open face into place, and you are ready.
There is no pump and no separate inflating step. The fan runs the whole time you wear the costume, so it tops itself up as you move. If you need to nip to the loo or take a break, switch the fan off and the costume folds down small; switch it back on and it stands up again in seconds.
What batteries do inflatable costumes need?
Our inflatable costumes run on four AA batteries, which power the built-in fan for roughly four hours. That covers most parties, but a long night out can outlast one set, so we always tell people to carry a spare four in a pocket. Swapping them takes under a minute and gets the costume back to full height straight away.
One tip that saves a ruined night: fit a fresh, matching set rather than topping up with whatever is in the drawer. Battery maker Duracell advises against mixing old and new batteries, or different brands and types, in the same device, because it can cause leaking and uneven power (Duracell battery care guidance). For a fan that has to run for hours, four fresh AAs of the same type is the reliable choice.
Can you see and breathe in one?
Yes. Every inflatable costume we make has an open face, so your head sits outside the inflated body. You can see clearly, hold a conversation, eat, drink and take photos without lifting anything off. That open face is also why these costumes stay comfortable: the fan keeps fresh air moving around you the whole time, so you do not overheat the way you would in a sealed full-head mask.
It matters for groups too. A costume you can talk and laugh in is a costume people actually keep on all night, which is the whole point of turning up in one.
Which inflatable costume should you pick?
Pick by the look you want and the room you are walking into. UK shoppers planned to spend an average of £31.17 on a Halloween costume in 2025, with 47% buying from online shops (YouGov, 2025), so it is worth choosing one that earns its place rather than the first thing in a shop. We group our inflatable costumes into a few clear styles, and every one uses the same fan-and-open-face design.
Pick Me Up costumes
These create the illusion that something is carrying you: an alien holding you up, a grim reaper sweeping you off your feet. The legs you see dangling are part of the costume, not yours, which is what makes people do a double take. The Alien Costume Inflatable Pick Me Up is the one that gets stopped for photos all night.
Light-up MegaMorph costumes
The MegaMorph range is a full-body inflatable that glows after dark, so it does double duty as a costume and a light source on a dim dance floor. These are the ones to reach for at a late party where you want to be seen from across the room.
Giant inflatable costumes
This is the biggest, most over-the-top group of all: oversized animals and characters that turn one person into a walking spectacle. The Giant Cow Inflatable Costume, a Giant Unicorn, a Flamingo or an Inflatable T-Rex Dinosaur all land somewhere between fancy dress and stand-up comedy. Browse the full adult inflatable costumes range for the rest.
Ride-on costumes
A ride-on costume makes it look like you are sitting astride something: the Black Ride On Dragon Inflatable Costume is a favourite for anyone who wants the big-entrance effect without the full-body cover. Your real legs do the walking while a pair of fake ones grip the saddle.
Kids inflatable costumes
Children get the same easy setup in smaller sizes. The Kids Astronaut with Soundchip Inflatable Costume, a Kids Flamingo or a Kids Giant Frog all run on the same open-face, built-in-fan design. The full kids inflatable costumes range is sized for younger wearers.
How do you keep it inflated all night?
An inflatable costume stays up as long as the fan runs and the air stays in, so most of keeping it standing is just looking after those two things.
- Carry a spare set of four AA batteries and swap them the moment the costume starts to sag.
- Keep the back fully sealed; a gap in the closure lets air out faster than the fan can replace it.
- Do not sit directly on the fan or cover the air inlet, or it cannot draw air in.
- If it goes down, stand up, clear the inlet, and give the fan a few seconds to bring it back.
That is the whole trick. Treat the fan and the seal with a bit of care and one of our inflatable costumes will keep its shape from the first photo to the last dance. Every Morph design is part of the 500,000+ quality checks we run a year, so what you see on the product page is what turns up in the pack, checked and ready. That is the promise we make on every costume we ship.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an inflatable costume stay inflated?
About four hours on a fresh set of four AA batteries. The fan runs continuously while you wear it, so carry a spare set and the costume will outlast the party.
Can you sit down in an inflatable costume?
Yes, for a moment, as long as you do not rest your weight on the fan or block the air inlet. Stand back up, clear the inlet, and the costume re-inflates in seconds.
Are inflatable costumes hot to wear?
No. The open face keeps your head outside the costume and the built-in fan keeps air circulating around you, so they stay comfortable across a long event rather than trapping heat like a sealed mask.
Do inflatable costumes come in kids sizes?
Yes. Our kids inflatable costume range uses the same open-face, built-in-fan design as the adult costumes, scaled down and built for smaller wearers.
Can you wear glasses with an inflatable costume?
Yes. The open-face design leaves your whole face clear, so glasses, face paint and a proper conversation are all fine while you wear it.
We make your best times better with costumes.
