Carnival 2026: 3 children’s disguise trends deciphered by Namaki
By JuliettePublished Updated 3 min read
Carnival remains one of children's favorite moments. We dress up, we play, we transform ourselves for a day. In 2026, children's carnival trends confirm an evolution: costumes are simpler, more creative and more customizable. Parents and children are exploring a wide variety of costumes, and often expect make-up, as much as accessories, to complete and personalize the disguise. Playful, expressive and easy to adapt, it allows children to make their character their own while having fun. Let's get ready for the Carnaval 2026 trend show!
#1 - New animal darlings
In 2026, nature remains a major source of inspiration for Carnival. Animals continue to captivate children - especially the very young. Wolves, tigers, unicorns and dragons have long been part of children's imaginations, escaping from fairy tales to populate nurseries and playgrounds. This year, however, other species may well steal the show. With the success of the film Zootopie 2 in theaters, foxes, rabbits, gazelles and, why not, lazy monkeys are in for a treat!
💡Lacking inspiration for your animal makeup? Find all our tutorials in our bestiary.
👉 You may also be interested in this article: Five Namaki make-up ideas for Carnival
#2 - Heroes are always popular
Of course, this trend is more than classic! Every good carnival has its share of heroes, with their superpowers and the values they convey. Even years after their first appearance, Harry Potter, the Snow Queen and their friends continue to make children dream. And yet, the competition is fierce: disguises and make-up are surfing on the series. For teenagers, there's no escaping the Kpop Demon Hunters! Even Namaki has succumbed to the phenomenon, and recently posted a demo on Instagram for making a make-up Kpop Demon Hunters... Another TV phenomenon: L'École des Licornes. From Wildstar's rainbow mane to Sophia and her friends' catwalk-worthy outfits, it's all part of a colorful carnival. Use the fine metal pencils to draw magic symbols on the arms of the unicorn children. Color a few of the riders' locks with the hair mascaras. Finally, sprinkle a little Glitter powder to create a bond and dream of magical adventures!
💡If your child's favorite hero doesn't require heavy makeup, you can put makeup on his or her eyes and its mouth with products adapted to her delicate skin. You can also create pretty little drawings on her face to match her character. After all, it's Carnival!
#3 - From cartoon heroes to everyday heroes
As we've just seen, children still love to get under their parents' skin. superheroes preferred. What do construction experts, firefighters, policemen, lifeguards and recycling experts have in common? Yes, that's right, they're all part of a super-team of puppies always ready to come to the aid of the inhabitants of their town. They're also characters known for their professions, not their superpowers (with the exception, for puppies, of knowing how to talk and drive!). For Carnival 2026, these everyday heroes should also take center stage. Graphic masks, colorful lightning bolts or badges drawn on the cheeks or arms are enough to bring the character to life. Make-up is the perfect replacement for masks:
- no more problems with broken elastics and lost accessories; ;
- simple, quick to apply and can be used with several disguises ;
- carefully formulated, organic and comfortable to wear throughout the show; ;
- an original and unique carnival make-up with a wow effect!
Carnival 2026 promises to be more creative and inclusive than ever. With these different trends, every child can find their own universe and have fun transforming themselves. So let your imagination run wild, mix colors, explore tutorials and, above all, enjoy every smile and burst of laughter. Because the most beautiful disguise is the one that makes you want to play and dream...
Need help getting ready for Carnival? Read this !
