The costume kid

For the past four or so years Superhero son has sprinted around the house, outside the house and even on errands incognito.

He’s been our costume kid.

Neither of his older brothers have enjoyed the costume box as much as Superhero son.

The Old Man and I have enjoyed his escapades but realize most cute things sometimes come to an end.

Are Superhero son's days of role play over?

He wasn’t too excited to receive one of Aeromax’s latest costumes earlier this month, the white Jr. Astronaut Suit, though he had requested it – but that was a year ago. The new costume has a cap, not a helmet (sold separately). And a really cool space backpack, space gloves and space boots also are available!

The first costume I remember him wearing - possibly inspired by watching episode after episode of “Thomas The Train” - is a Jr. Train Engineer uniform by Aeromax with cap, gloves and red bandana.

A couple of years later a firefighter’s costume aided in conquering his fears after our babysitters’ house burned down (on a weekend while the children were not there; no one was injured).

Aeromax Jr. Fire Fighter Gear w/Helmet comes in three colors – tan or black (or yellow-the newest). We have the black one. The costume - which is so authentic that I was tempted to send Superhero son to his preschool wearing it when they visited the firehouse – features bib overalls with pockets and knee patches, adjustable suspenders, a coat with buckles, zipper, pockets, authentic gauntlet cuffs and reinforced elbow patches. Plus, it comes with an awesome adjustable hard helmet – there’s no breaking this helmet!

And then there’s the Aeromax Jr. Police Officer Suit – a one-piece shirt and pants ensemble with official looking patches and a cap with a badge. Ours also came with a duty belt with radio, a baton (confiscated by the Old Lady), hand-cuffs (confiscated by the Old Lady), a whistle (confiscated by the Old Lady) and ID wallet.

Last summer just before the H1N1 virus became so widespread in many of our communities, our neighbors observed a new professional riding his bicycle up and down the sidewalk. The Aeromax Jr. Physician costume is perhaps the most real to me. It includes the white lab coat, real working stethoscope, scrub top and bottom, and hat, mask and shoe covers.

What I like best about Aeromax’s costumes are that they don't fall apart even after the 10th washing; the stitching and other details make these costumes stand up to plenty of wear. They have very cool accessories. Kids can be kids in them. They are kind of pricey so consider if your kid will wear the costume more than just a couple of times.

Now Superhero son will tell you that although he enjoys role play by dressing up in real-life costumes, he much prefers superheroes.

After all, Superhero son got his name honestly.

He loves Spider-Man - and the appeal of ripping off the Venom costume (black Spider-Man) and putting the blue and red one back on, plus Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. Not to mention Ben-10.


The most difficult costume I had to create - because the costume makers apparently don’t know that kids want the villain costumes as well as the heroes’ - was Sandman from “Spider-Man 3” movie.

In the movie, Sandman, played by Thomas Hayden Church (previously best known to me as Lowell Mather on the TV series “Wings”), wears khaki pants, which were easy enough to find, and a navy blue and kelly green wide striped short-sleeve T-shirt.

Do you know how hard it is to find a blue and green striped T-shirt in a size 4T?

Are Superhero son’s days of wearing a mask coming to an end?

We’ll have to see if “Spider-Man 4” ever comes to pass and if Superhero son has a new villain to conquer.

To check out the huge selection of Real Gear costumes by Aeromax, visit Aeromaxtoys.com

Keep scrolling to see some photos of Superhero son.