Tools of Characterization
Characterization in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids
Clothing
They might not exactly be fashion-forward, but the characters of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids are defined in large part by their digs.
Take Big Russ, for example. In keeping with his super masculine nature, the patriarch of the Thompson clan is decked out in his fishing clothes throughout the entire movie. To that end, Big Russ is seen wearing a much more formal outfit after making peace with Wayne and his kids, which reflects the softening he experiences over the course of the film.
Just contrast that with the estimable Wayne Szalinski. He's not dressed like a traditional mad scientist, true, but more like a suburban version of that archetype: he wears a shirt and tie, either covered by an apron or a basic hoodie. In many ways, this represents the duality that's central to his character, his simultaneous desire to be a respectable scientist and a DIY genius.
Occupation
Want to know the difference between the Szalinski parents? Look no further than their jobs.
For instance, Wayne's business card most likely reads "Mad Scientist in Training." Sure, we see him attending a conference in the hopes of gaining some funding for his latest invention, but it's clear that the dude spends the bulk of his time at home cooking up wild inventions and performing crazy experiments. This is a reflection of his absent-minded and free-thinking nature.
His wife Diane, on the other hand, is a real estate agent. Much more practical, huh? Again, her choice of career is a reflection of her character—buying and selling a tangible good like a house shows that she's much more rationally-minded than her husband. We see this dynamic at play in pretty much every scene the two share, with Wayne bouncing off the walls with his patented insanity and Diane keeping his feet planted down as much as she can.
Actions
No matter how tiny the heroes of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids become, their actions have a big impact.
Think about Little Russ. We're a bit skeptical of the kid at first, as much of his "bravery" seems like little more than a way to score alone time with his crush Amy. Time and time again, however, he proves us wrong. We're thinking most notably of when he leaps on the back of a bee that's captured poor Nick Szalinski, a selfless act that puts his own life at risk for the annoying four-eyed kid from next door.
His little brother Ron proves himself in a different way. Initially, the kid is a total jerk: think Dennis the Menace meets that little alien that hangs out with Jabba the Hutt in Return of the Jedi. Later in the film, however, Ron proves himself to be much more sensitive than he seems at first glance by forging a tight bond with an ant named Antie (real original, kid) and leading the charge to protect it when it gets into battle with a fearsome scorpion.