Celebrating Halloween with Toddlers & Preschoolers
Halloween is a magical time for children, filled with costumes, candy, and spooky fun. However, celebrating with toddlers and preschoolers requires a bit of extra planning to ensure the festivities are enjoyable and safe. Here’s a guide to help you navigate Halloween with your little ones.
Decorating Your Home
Many people love decorating for the spooky season, so here are ways to make it fun for your kids as well.
• Toddler-Friendly Decor: Choose non-scary decorations that won’t frighten your child. Think pumpkins, friendly ghosts, and happyfaced witches.
• Hands-on Fun: Decorations can be fun, but reminding your child not to touch is not so fun. Have some items your child can play with and touch freely, like stickers, Halloween plush toys, plastic pumpkins, etc.
• Safety Proofing: Keep decorations, especially those with small parts or sharp edges, out of reach. Battery-operated candles are a safer alternative to real ones.
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Halloween Activities at Home
While waiting for the big night, here are activities you can do at home to celebrate the season.
• Pumpkin Decorating: Instead of carving, which can be dangerous, let your child paint or use stickers to decorate pumpkins.
• Craft Time: Engage in simple Halloween crafts like making paper plate masks or decorating cookies with spooky themes.
• Story Time: Read age-appropriate Halloween stories that are more fun than frightening. Books like “Room on the Broom” or “Five Little Pumpkins” are great choices.
Prepare for Fun
Toddlers and preschool-age children are still figuring out the difference between real and pretend, so Halloween can be confusing for them. Help your child be prepared with these tips.
• It’s Still Me: Discuss how people are still themselves, even when wearing a costume. Take turns wearing simple, not scary costumes (e.g., a silly hat, a wig, or just a scarf) and reminding each other, “Look, I am still me!”
• Play Halloween: Practice Halloween through play. Let your child practice dressing up and knocking on the door (to your home or even his bedroom!). Answer the door and let them practice saying, “Trick or treat!” and “Thank you!”.
• Read Ahead: Read children’s books about learning to enjoy Halloween. Talk about how the characters feel and act. Look for these at your local library or ask the librarian for suggestions:
o Herbert’s First Halloween, by Cynthia Rylant
o Happy Halloween, Little Critter!, by Mercer Mayer
o Arthur’s Halloween, by Marc Brown
o Brave Horace, by Holly Keller
Choosing the Perfect Costume
Costumes can be a lot of fun, but the wrong costume can ruin the night for little ones. Here are some tips to consider.
• Comfort Over Cuteness: Ensure the costume is comfortable and easy to move in. Avoid tight or scratchy materials.
• Safety First: Choose costumes with bright colors or add reflective tape to make your child visible in the dark. Avoid long capes or dresses that can cause tripping.
• Weather-Appropriate: Depending on your location, Halloween can be chilly. Make sure the costume allows for layers underneath if needed.
Costume Parade and Halloween Parties
Some families choose to skip the trick-ortreating and enjoy parties and kid-friendly events. Here are tips on hosting your own fun.
• Host a Costume Parade: Organize a small costume parade with neighborhood kids. It’s a great way for toddlers and preschoolers to show off their costumes in a safe environment.
• Party Fun: Host a Halloween party with themed games, such as bobbing for apples, a mini pumpkin hunt, or a “mummy wrap” using toilet paper.
Trick-or-Treating Tips
Here are some ideas for boosting your Halloween street smarts.
• Plan Your Route: Choose a short and familiar route. Visit the homes of people you know and trust.
• Early Bird: Start trick-or-treating before it gets too dark to avoid crowds and ensure your child is not out past their bedtime.
• Stay Together: Always accompany your toddler or preschooler. Hold hands and teach them to look both ways before crossing the street.
• Have Kid Fun: Look for local community events, such as “trunk-or-treats” or daytime festivals, specifically designed for young children.
Handling the Candy
Next to costumes, candy is every kid’s favorite part of Halloween. Here are some ideas for managing the sweets.
• Inspect the Loot: Go through your child’s candy stash to check for any potential choking hazards or items that may have been tampered with.
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• Moderation is Key: Limit the number of candies your child can have each day to avoid sugar overload and tummy aches.
• Allergy Awareness: Be mindful of any food allergies your child or their friends may have. Have safe treats on hand, just in case.
Safety Reminders
Planning ahead can help your celebration be safe and fun.
• Stranger Safety: Teach your child not to enter any homes or cars, even if invited.
• Be Seen: Carry a flashlight and give your little ones a glow stick or light-up accessories to wear.
• Emergency Information: Ensure your child knows your phone number and address. Consider adding a tag with this information to their costume.
• First Aid Kit: Keep a small first aid kit with you while trick-or-treating for any minor scrapes or injuries.
With the right preparations, Halloween can be a delightful experience for toddlers and preschoolers. By focusing on safety, comfort, and fun, you can create lasting memories and start cherished traditions. Enjoy the spooky season with your little ones!
For more Halloween Tips, check out:
• Easing Babies & Toddlers into Halloween Fun: 8 Tips for Parents
• Halloween Health & Safety Tips
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541-917-4884, pollywog@linnbenton.edu
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