How to Celebrate Halloween With Your Kids this Fall Season?

10 age-appropriate activities you can easily do with your toddler and kids for a fun-filled Halloween

Contributed by Shannon B., mother of three, US.

With the crisp air upon us and the leaves exuding their most spectacular vibrancy, we imagine all there is to come this fall season—especially for our toddlers and kids. There’s little more heartwarming than seeing their face light up at when jumping in a pile of fall leaves or the scent of warm apple cider circling their tiny nose. Small moments like these have a way of feeling the sweetest and meaning the most…

So while memories from past seasons fill up our sentimental mug, shedding inspiration for all the cozy nights to come, naturally we start rummaging through the hall closet and adding in generous amounts of autumn spice around every corner. But once upon a time, somewhere between that exchange of throw pillows and scented candles, I came across a box labeled, “Halloween” and never looked back.

While I knew the box before me contained only a few sentiments of innocent family-fun activities and scattered merriment—an old, ceramic rounded pumpkin sporting a gapped grin (which had most certainly seen better days), grandmother’s famous candy apple recipe, half-finished word searches adorned by smudge and scribble; and a fleece blanket where I’d sit with loved ones and roast marshmallows for hours—I found myself pausing, wondering:

How do I celebrate Halloween with my toddler?

How do other families celebrate Halloween with their kids?

And in about a second’s time, there stood my two-and-a-half year-old toddler fairing her most wholesome grin, full of life and curiosity. In that moment I realized, this isn’t just about me, but about her. This feeling of apprehension inside me, this fear of doing the “wrong thing,” didn’t need to determine whether we took part in Halloween or not—traditionally or non-traditionally—this year, the next, or if ever at all.

With my daughter’s hand in mine, we unpacked the box of trinkets and things, kept what was worth keeping and put back the rest. We talked of falling leaves, baking pies, pumpkin carving, and homemade costumes of her liking. She asked of ghosts and monsters and trick-or-treating. We talked of imagination, of pretend, of simple fun and games. What I realized is: I didn’t have to prepare what to say or what not to say; she directed the way, just as she naturally always had. She uncovered Halloween in the way that fit her best, in the way that most toddlers and kids often do—when we give them the space to.

And so that year, in our autumn-enthused living room, with my daughters’ precious hands cradling that worn ceramic rounded pumpkin, we set out on a mission to bring her Halloween costume to life, as she so enthusiastically requested.

(I must admit, creating toddler Halloween costumes is not as simple as it sounds!)

Come Halloween day, deep hews of orange fabric draped over her vibrant green slacks, complimenting an oversized chocolate-washed beret; our hands waved to neighbors old and new, and near and far; and between our fingers clung an assortment of candies to be shared for the long walk home. This Halloween day was more than I could have ever imagined; it was time for her to be her and for us to be us. No more, and no less.

Embracing a Fun-Filled Halloween

When we give kids the space to be themselves, in every respect, we give them the biggest gift of all: freedom of self-expression. Children need to feel safe and secure in their attachment with us as parents and caregivers in order to feel comfortable and confident exploring themselves, their environment, and the great big world around them.

Certainly, the concept of Halloween manifests differently across a variety of age-groups, developmental stages, geographical locations, cultures, and belief systems. Some families may partake in more “traditional” Halloween activities while other families enjoy time at home with one another embarking on a new recipe, playing charades, or watching a classic film. Other families may opt out of celebrations and Halloween-themed activities with their kids, which is also okay, too.

Here, we walk through a few age-appropriate activities you can easily do with your toddler and kids for a fun-filled Halloween that are simple, stress-free, and won’t cost you more than a few dollars—if that!

Take Delight in all the Pumpkin Possibilities

Whether you bring the kids to visit the neighborhood farm to pick the perfect rounded pumpkin, embark on a trip to a top-rated apple orchard or fall festival, or get to painting and carving an original work of your liking upon your canvas, there are endless amounts of pumpkin-friendly activities and fall-inspired events to enjoy as a family.

Before deciding on a location for apple and/or pumpkin-picking, stop by their website or call first to inquire about the scare-factor for toddlers and young kids. And remember, it’s natural to want to “lead” the day for our children—making sure they experience all that we want them to and more. Rather, try to stay present in the moment with your little ones—a bit of mess and oddity stimulates the senses, enhances creativity, and promotes healthy growth and development.

Play Dress Up

Toddlers and kids love to play make-believe and often will utilize props and costumes to explore and broaden their imagination. Have your child collect a few safe, (non-expensive!), household items to incorporate into their Halloween-inspired playtime or performance: a mini broom for pretend flying, bowl and spoon for mixing up the perfect stew, or a mini sheet to display a friendly ghost.

As always, talk to kids about the differences between real and pretend and follow their lead to ensure all feel safe and at ease while playing. Parents—don’t hesitate to get involved and dress up, too!

Enjoy a (non-haunted) Hayride or Corn Maze

Many local farms, orchards, and pumpkin patches offer hayrides and corn mazes to enjoy for a large part of the season. While some excursions may feel a bit too spooky for kids ages five and under, many offer family-oriented activities and options for a day-ride without the surprise of ghosts and goblins at every corner.

Look into what offers and age-appropriate activities are available near you before purchasing tickets or passes. It can be helpful to reach out to friends, family, and other neighborhood parents to find out about the hidden gems for fall family fun.  Remember, parents know their child best and setting up activities and events that are well-matched and age-appropriate are a great starting point!

If you do encounter a spooky surprise on a hayride or corn maze adventure, remind your children that they are pretend and don’t be afraid to explore any feelings or questions that arise.

Get Cozy in a Halloween-Themed Reading Corner

Reading is an activity that always has a place in our day—especially with the change of seasons and the generous array of new books finding our doorstep so easily. Choosing age-appropriate children’s books for toddlers and kids helps to emphasize the beauty and magic of fall, acting as a wonderful addition to their daily routine for the days and weeks leading up to Halloween.

Join your child in a cozy spot at home or at the library and talk about the pictures that pass you by: falling leaves from up high, pumpkins of all shapes and sizes, time spent with friends and family, and hearty recipes to try. Utilizing age-appropriate children’s books also can help parents and kids talk about Halloween more openly, promoting feelings of safety and strengthening the connection between parent and child.

Given the age or developmental stage of a child, it’s common for parents to take on the sole role of reading during story time; however, engaging in the act of reading with a trusted caregiver can certainly support a child-led atmosphere in the way that it can spark curiosity, exercise the imagination, and increase awareness about one’s own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Create a Piece of Boo-tastic Art

Whether you and your little one gather nature’s elements from outdoors or take a trip to a neighborhood discount store for supplies, creating a homemade craft with kids can be a wonderful, child-led activity for the fall season—and definitely for Halloween, too!

Try gathering a dozen or so rocks from the backyard and paint vibrant leaves, pumpkins, or bite-size candies upon their flat surface. Or why not string a garland of pinecones for above the dining room table. Visiting the craft store? Pick up a small bag of pom-poms, googly eyes, pipe cleaners and a glue stick, for some pom-pom-pal fun in the shape of pumpkins, friendly ghosts, and baby tigers and bear cubs.

Parents can help set the stage for the chosen project by setting up the environment and laying out the supplies. Watching toddlers and kids utilize and expand their creative and fine-motor skill set, while also having a blast in the process, is truly a dynamic experience to enjoy any time of year! 

Try a Festive, Fall-Inspired Game

Pumpkin hunts, Pine cone bocce tournaments, a festive relay race or scavenger hunt, scarecrow making, even a day of raking up and filling bags of leaves with mom or dad, make for a great assortment of entertainment to try out this fall season. Participating in games is a lighthearted way to bring the family together while exploring different roles and responsibilities.

Kids can practice taking turns between leadership roles and listener roles throughout the course of the game which can increase confidence, strengthen team-building skills, and instill a mindset of growth for the future.

Feel the Magic of the Outdoors

Who said Halloween has to be enjoyed in the evening or nighttime? Activities can take place first thing in the morning and end whenever you’d like! Enjoy morning brunch at home or at your favorite breakfast spot and then head out for a trouble-free, scenic nature walk, hike, or bike-ride.

Depending on the age and developmental stage of your kids, you’ll most likely have a sense of what outdoor activities will be best suited for all. To increase the fun-factor, kids can choose makeshift costumes to wear while outdoors; some minimal-effort Halloween costumes might include: a cat, pumpkin, artist, or ballerina.

Mix Up a New Recipe

Just as my grandmother’s candy apple recipe remains our go-to dessert staple for Halloween, indulging in a new recipe with your toddler and kids can be quite the tasty and memorable experience. And one that could even stick around for generations to come! 

Sure, the kitchen may get a bit messier with our kids playing real-world bakery alongside us, but take a moment to slow down and enjoy the process. A kitchen can always be cleaned, but the experience is what you and your kids will remember for years to come.

One that always seems to catch my eye (and my toddlers!): Puff Pastry Pumpkins. We love this one from Weelicious.

Invest in some “holiday-themed” cookie cutters, in this case in the shape of a pumpkin or leaf will be best, and get to work on a batch of simply delicious treats for you and your little ones to share. Fill your pastry will a bit of pumpkin or cinnamon flavored whipped cream and add a chocolate chip face for a special kid-friendly touch!

You’ll need:

• 2 sheets of puff pastry dough
• ½ cup whipping cream
• ¼ cup pumpkin puree
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Lay out puff pastry sheet and begin cutting out shapes using your cookie cutter.
3. Place onto a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown.
4. While baking, place remaining ingredients into a bowl and beat for about 5 minutes with an electric mixer until thoroughly combined and fluffy in texture.
5. Remove pastries from the oven, cool slightly, and then slice in half. Top one half of the pastry with the above pumpkin mixture, place the other half of the pumpkin back on top, and decorate with chocolate chip eyes, nose, and mouth as desired.

In a time crunch? Mandarin pumpkins make a great alternative to Puff Pastry Pumpkins. Have an extra minute or two? Add in a cucumber wedge or celery stem on top!

Tell Spooky (or Spook-less) Stories

Stories of ghosts and goblins can be too frightening for some children—even if they can differentiate between real and pretend. So while some children will laugh and giggle at the sight of vampires and skeletons (which if that’s the case, proceed with spooky storytime!), other kids may prefer spook-less stories about scavenger hunts, pumpkin carving, bobbing for apples, or their parents’ childhood memories.

Toddlers and kids can sharpen their storytelling skills by choosing five things in the room with them and stringing up a silly timeline of events.

Revive an “Oldie but Goodie”

For the older kids, dinner and a movie—a simple idea, sure, but having the company of friends and family amid a tasty spread and relaxing atmosphere is a great way to ring in the fall season and spend Halloween. Choose a viewing that all can enjoy, string up a few decorations, and ask guests to bring a dish to share—a Halloween that all ages can get used to!   

As October greets our calendar, let’s try and spend less time immersed in our screens and more time creating new experiences with our kids. Whether you incorporate all of the above activities, or only one or two, remember what truly matters: encouraging our children’s need for self-expression and strengthening our connection in the process. Often it’s easy to get distracted by the bells-and-whistles of holidays and special celebrations, falling pressure to cultivate the ideal environment for our kids to thrive in, but take comfort in knowing children have the most fun spending quality time with their caregivers and being themselves!

This Halloween, don’t be afraid to color outside the lines with your kids, indulge in some sweet treats, and look outside the box for inspiration. While my daughter and I found ours hidden away in a hallway closet, there is no right or wrong way to find yours. However you choose to spend the season, trust that it will be just right for your family.  

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Hi! 

We hope you enjoyed this blog. We’d love to hear about your Halloween experiences below. What does your family look forward to most as the seasons change? Do you partake in any of the Halloween-themed activities listed above? Which activities does your family do, or does not do, during Halloween? How do you navigate spooky things with your toddler?

Please leave a comment below so other parents can be inspired.