Lions, tigers, and bears - oh my! Halloween can bring out all sorts of big feelings for young children. From fears to sugar highs, navigating the night can be exhausting for parents of toddlers.
Maybe you love Halloween, maybe you hate it. Either way, it’s hard to escape the holiday that seeps into every activity come October 1st. From house decorations to movies on TV, Halloween images and stories are easy for your child to gain exposure to, and can cause some seriously BIG reactions for the little ones.
Here are the key takeaways to surviving Halloween for toddlers.
Keep it simple. You may have major costume aspirations, but your child is likely happy with something simple, COMFORTABLE, and age appropriate. Think about a costume that is familiar and fun for THEM (not an adult joke) and make sure to prioritize their needs.
Practice. Trick or treating is a new experience…especially if you’ve been told not to talk to strangers or walk in people's yards! Try talking your child through what to expect and doing some role play.
Talk about the difference between real and fantasy. Toddlers have a LOT of trouble distinguishing between what is real and what is fake - which can make Halloween extra confusing. Try increasing pretend play in your home to help!
Eat first and go early. We know that hunger and fatigue make toddlers EXTRA dysregulated. In order to help them manage all of the over stimulating aspects of Halloween, make sure they eat dinner FIRST, and go trick or treating as early as possible for a reasonable bedtime.
Don’t force them to confront fear. If your child is scared of Halloween (or any particular parts of it), avoid the temptation to push them to confront their fears. This doesn’t help them to recover, and can disrupt your relationship and trust. Instead, allow them to tap out of any part of the celebration and be a spectator or a Halloween hater if necessary.