For children, dressing up often goes beyond donning Halloween costumes once a year. From a friend’s birthday party to school plays, children may be asked to dress up for many types of occasions. After all, it’s fun for the kids to pretend and the parents who get to take in the spectacle.

But first you’ll have to get your child to keep her costume on long enough to snap a photo. Whether you’re dressing your children in 50s costumes for their themed concert performance or finding a fun costume to wear to their friends’ parties, it’s important to find costumes that they can wear comfortably for an extended period of time.

Costume Discounters, where you can go to find everything from school play costumes to 70s costumes for your friend’s funk party to costumes for any holiday, offers the following tips for keeping your children safe and comfy in their costumes:

* Use face paint instead of a mask. Younger children often won’t do well with wearing something extra on their faces. It will also ensure that their vision won’t be blocked so they can see where they are going.

* Make sure your child can move freely in the costume. If not, you’re likely to see the costume on the floor before they make it out the door. It’s also a safety issue, as you don’t want a costume that will cause your child to fall down. If the costume has a tail or other loose accessories, make sure they don’t get in the way of your child’s footsteps.

* On that same note, make sure your child can easily go to the bathroom if he or she needs to do so.

* If your child will be outside while wearing her costume, make sure the costume is appropriate for the weather. If possible, select a costume that will allow for adjustments for cooler or warmer temperatures.

* Avoid any flammable material. If you’re buying a costume, check the label to find out what it’s made of, and avoid using anything that could catch on fire if you are making a costume or adding on to one.