Dad Creates #MoreThanCute Halloween Costume Campaign To Encourage Girls To 'Dream Big'

#MoreThanCute Halloween Costume Campaign Encourages Girls To 'Dream Big'
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A dad who was frustrated by the hoards of "cute" Halloween costumes marketed at his daughters has inspired hundreds of parents to campaign for more choice.

John Marcotte created #MoreThanCute, a campaign to encourage girls and their parents to "dream big" and think beyond the "cute" costumes seen in shops.

"Boys are given a full range of costumes that tell them they can be anything they want, but the girls' costume aisles are usually fairies and princesses, and [this] tells them that the only thing society values about them is their appearance," Marcotte told BuzzFeed.

Marcotte, founder of Heroic Girls an organisation that advocates for better representation of girls and women in media and comics, explained why he wanted to launch the campaign on his blog.

"If you are a girl, even superhero and zombie costumes come complete with a tutu and a magic fairy wand," he wrote.

"That cycle needs to be broken. We think girls dream just as big as boys. We think their potential is unlimited. We think that their costumes should be 'more than cute'."

The dad-of-two asked parents to post photos of their daughters' Halloween costumes on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag, and sure enough, they took up his challenge.

Rocket Racoon

Slappy From Goosebumps

Batman And Ninja Turtle

Beetlejuice

A Robot.

Batman.

Others posted photos of their children's costumes on Twitter, including this toddler in a shark costume, a spiderman and stormtroopers.

I think we can all agree, they're #MoreThanCute and totally awesome.

Last-Minute Group Halloween Costumes
101 Dalmatians(01 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: Minimum five, up to however many you wantWhat you'll need: White shirts, black circles, tapeIf you want to get fancy: Someone can dress up as Cruella de Vil(via Pinterest)
Cards Against Humanity(02 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: Minimum four, up to however many you wantWhat you'll need: Bristol board, markers, stringIf you want to get fancy: Use the official font, which can be found here(via Costume Works)
Dog Train(03 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: At least four, up to 10 easilyWhat you'll need: Boxes, blue paint/marker, green paint/marker, black pants, dog earsIf you want to get fancy: (Instagram/vitocaro7)
Dominos(04 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: At least four, up to however many you wantWhat you'll need: All-black outfit, white or coloured circles (paper plates work as well), masking tapeIf you want to get fancy: Make sure at least two of you match in terms of your dots(Instagram/taralynolheiser)
Emojis(05 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: At least two, up to as many as you can find faces forWhat you'll need: Depending on how extensive your costume is, either just print-outs, Popsicle sticks and paper plates, or specific outfitsIf you want to get fancy: Make sure you include the poop and dancing girls emojis(Instagram/rupampatheja)
Four Seasons(06 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: FourWhat you'll need: A lei, some leaves, snowflake cut-outs and flowersIf you want to get fancy: Do something like this(Instagram/theoriginalsupercheryl)
New Ghostbusters(07 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: Minimum of four, but the options are endlessWhat you'll need: Sailor hat, cut-outs of Slimer, slime and the logo, fake hoses, theme songIf you want to get fancy: Buy the real deal(Instagram/xjbleasdale)
Minions(08 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: Minimum of three, and literally as many more as you wantWhat you'll need: Yellow t-shirts, suspenders, overalls, yellow buckets for hats, white circles for eyesIf you want to get fancy: Get a Gru in there(Instagram/nancy_ayde)
Mr. Men And Little Miss Books(09 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: Two to about 60What you'll need: Bristol board and someone who can draw a little, stringIf you want to get fancy: Colour your full face in too(Instagram/turtleyenoughfortheturtleclub)
OPI Nail Polish(10 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: Two to however many you wantWhat you'll need: A black shirt, a black hat and a skirt or pants of whatever colour you want, a matching bottle of nail polish(Instagram/insta_kels_)
Price Is Right(11 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: Five to however many you wantWhat you'll need: Cardboard signs, Price is Right font (found here), baby powder and a microphone for hostIf you want to get fancy: Get some prizes as props(Instagram/shelbyjoysnow)
Scrabble Board(12 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: SevenWhat you'll need: Paper plates, string, markerIf you want to get fancy: Come up with letters that can make any number of words(via The Frisco Project)
Social Media Icons(13 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: Two to eight (or however many networks you can think of)What you'll need: Logos from social media networks, consistent "backgrounds"If you want to get fancy: Play your network's sound effects wherever you go(Instagram/neo_mediagroup)
Sons Of Anarchy (Or Motorcycle Lovers)(14 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: Two to however many you wantWhat you'll need: Leather, bandannas, tattoos (real or otherwise)If you want to get fancy: Ride in on a Harley(Instagram/lindseyyelton)
Jelly Bellies(15 of15)
Open Image Modal
Number of people: At least twoWhat you'll need: Garbage bag, balloons, markerIf you want to get fancy: Have specialized bags in specific colours(via iVillage)