Helpful Halloween Tips

Helpful Halloween Tips:

Halloween can be a really fun holiday for young children. It can also be challenging for kids to manage their emotions amidst all the excitement. For children with sensory sensitivities it can be an especially overwhelming experience to navigate. Here are a few tips that can help make Halloween a little less scary and a lot more fun:

Carving Pumpkins:

We all know that digging guts out of a pumpkin can be a disgusting ritual. If you have a child that can't stand the feel or smell of creating a Jack o Lantern, just decorate it in other ways and keep it simple! Using markers, stickers, paint, glue, glitter, nature decorations, temporary tattoos, fabric, ribbon and a host of other craft supplies can make for colorful and creative pumpkins without the mess of carving. By offering these alternatives, parents and teachers can ensure that all children can enjoy the pumpkin decorating tradition in a way that suits their preferences and comfort levels.

Costumes: 

Find something cozy to wear while Trick-or-Treating. Children can dress as a ballerina or a soccer player from clothes they already frequently wear. Or create a costume from familiar clothing such as Bluey from a pair of blue tights and your child's favorite cozy sweatshirt. Before shopping for that perfect Halloween costume, parents should discuss costume guidelines to help avoid in-store meltdowns. Face masks can feel hot and suffocating and they provide low visibility in the dark. Especially for children with sensory sensitivities, face paint can feel slimy or stiff, so bring baby wipes along to wipe it off, just in case. When considering Halloween costumes, beware of the itchy underside of dresses and make sure their costume includes shoes that are both comfortable and suitable for the weather. Kids with sensory sensitivities should try on their costume beforehand to remove any bothersome tags or fabric. This will allow you to remove scratchy tags or fabric that might contribute to a sensory meltdown. If your child is sensitive to loud sounds or crowds during Trick-or-Treating, noise-canceling headphones can be a great accessory for a costume, making them a perfect addition to a Princess Leia or Air Traffic Controller outfit. Allow your child to wear pajamas or comfortable clothes underneath their costume. Then, if they end up feeling itchy or overheated, they can just peel off the costume and keep up with the fun.

Plan Ahead: 

Be sure to fill your child's tummy with some decent food before heading out to Trick-or-Treat and don't forget to have your child hit the bathroom before suiting up in their costume! Worried about Trick or Treat candy overload? Discuss how many pieces of candy your child will be allowed to eat prior to leaving for the evening. Keep their wrappers, then when they ask for more, have them count the wrappers and answer their own question.

Trick-or-Treating: 

For some kids with sensory processing challenges — the sights, smells, and sounds of Halloween can be very difficult to manage. Be weary of flashing lights, scary decorations and noisy crowds. Trick or treating at dusk instead of darkness helps to reduce anxiety and increase safety. Focus on quiet streets with sidewalks. Some children might even benefit from practicing the Trick-or-Treating route ahead of time so it feels familiar. Take breaks and bring a wagon to pull weary travelers if needed. Know when to stop the festivities and head home before they become too tired. Often children like handing out candy just as much as receiving it. Some kids might enjoy creating new traditions altogether that include quiet time at home. Have a safe and happy Halloween!