Tips for Trick or Treating with Littles

Getting out of the house with little kids is always a little stressful and overwhelming but it’s especially nerve-wrecking when it’s for Halloween; between fighting to wearing a costume, worrying about safety and the late bedtime it can be a lot. Here are some tips and tricks to make the process just a little easier. 

PRACTICE WEARING COSTUME

In the days leading up to Halloween or any Halloween related event, get your child used to wearing their costume- just because your child is interested in what they (or you) choose for them to be this Halloween doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll be willing to keep on their costume. Get them familiar with their costume by letting them play with it, try it on and wear it around the house. Costumes are often more bulky or made out of more uncomfortable fabrics than normal clothing, it might take your child a few times to get used to it but practicing a head of time will make it easier on them and you. 

THINKING ABOUT SAFETY

From walking in the darkness, to crossing streets, to just being out in unfamiliar parts of your neighborhood, there are several safety concerns when it comes to trick or treating. Many costumes are dark but accidents can happen even if costumes are light and easily visible- adding reflectors, wearing glow sticks or lights make children and adults more visible to those driving thru areas where you might be trick or treating. Picking out an easily identifiable light or set of reflectors can also help if your child might wonder off. Speaking of wondering off, if your young child is prone to wondering off or just isn’t use to walking around the neighborhood with you, having them in a wagon, stroller or other container is a good option. For those who want to walk a leash on the wrist of the child or a backpack attachment is also a great option. Going out right at the beginning of dusk around 5:30 is another option for young children and a great way of avoiding being out when it’s dark and a as a bonus, it will interrupt bedtime less than a later start. 

Trick or Treat Etiquette 

Babies and young toddlers generally have less of an idea of what’s going on, however, older toddlers and preschool age children might struggle with the structure of trick or treating-role playing is a great way to prepare them for the routine and etiquette surrounding what happens on Halloween night. To start in simple language explain that in a few days, you will be visiting neighbors and saying hi to them. Practice by having them knock on your own door and having someone else like their other parent or older sibling answer. While holding their hand (so they don’t run into the house), model saying “trick or treat” and taking one piece of candy from the bowl that’s presented by the person answering the door. Explain to your child (again in short easy to understand language) that we only take one piece of candy because they’ll be visiting multiple other neighbors and assure them they’ll get more. Big feelings might occur because they’ll probably want more if they see more but that’s why we practice! Model saying “thank you” before the door is closed. Kids learn through play and role modeling so this is a great way to practice those unspoken Halloween rules. 

Managing Candy Expectations

Children are going to see a lot of candy during Halloween and they’re going to want a lot more of it than we want to give them. Managing expectations ahead of time will help lessen tantrums. Explain that you only take one piece from each house and express how many pieces you plan on letting them eat that evening. Remember over restriction is going to cause them to want it even more. For our household, we decided that our 2 year old son will be allowed to have three pieces while we’re out trick or treating and then at home I’ll go through and keep a quarter of the candy for other treats during the next few weeks. Packing other snacks that they like can also help curb their desire for too much candy. 

Lower Your Expectations

Kids thrive on routine. Halloween is a once a year event, your child is going to be thrown off of their evening routine and it can be a lot from overwhelming or scary decorations, the noise and bustle of the event, and the large amounts of candy that they can’t have all at once. If you only trick or treat for a half hour or around the block, that’s great, your child still got to experience it! After that, you can put them to bed or they can help pass out candy at home. If you have older kids who want to continue to trick or treat but your littles are struggling, you can divide and conquer if you have another adult, or you can have them rest in a stroller or wagon-distractions like iPads or light up toys might be useful too. Melt downs might happen and that’s ok; everyone out trick or treating has kids so they get it and might even commiserate with you over it. Just try to go with the flow and enjoy yourself, we only get so many years to trick or treat with our littles before they want to go off and do it with their friends.