5 Tricks & Treats for the Halloween season with kids
October is a fascinating time of year. All-encompassing of fall, a flurry of seasonal traditions and a progressive build up of spooky delights. Leading up until Halloween, some choose to buy firecrackers and light up the night, others will hit the town or host parties, but for those with young kiddos at home, the 31st takes on a whole new form. A celebration of tiny monsters in the day, and for some, an early start to trick or treating before forfeiting the candy and heading to bed. (That simple, right?) Being a parent can make you think back to when you were a kid and what certain things were special to you. As such, I feel it’s important that we celebrate these five festivities to maximize the season in a safe, healthy and fun way.
1. Dress to impress. As soon as they are able to, let your child decide what they want to dress up as for Halloween and get them involved with the costume by helping to make it! In those first few years, it’s important that you dress up with them too- you’re never too old to stop being creative and having fun so try and opt for a family theme and roll with it.
2. Plan ahead. Check your neighbourhood well in advance for fun events and activities taking place on the weekend or during the day on Halloween. Having options is always a great idea and allows you to branch out and meet new families. When it comes time for trick or treating, see if you can link up with others close by to make for a fun and safe neighbourhood walk. Don’t forget reflectors!
3. Beat the sweets. A bucket of chocolate and candies is undoubtedly a highlight of your child’s year, but once you get home it’s time to play bad cop and take all that away. That is, of course, if you want to stand any chance of getting to bed at a good time. In order to distribute the sugar most productively, treat them as a reward system for helping with small chores or for good behaviour during the day. Set the standard ahead of time that one or two per day is all they can have. We’ve got to think about dental bills!
4. Cook and bake for the season. Buy some soy candles that smell of pumpkin spice and get creative in the kitchen with healthy treats and wholesome meals that bring the senses into alignment with fall. Think hearty soups, spaghetti squash, whole grain muffins and pecan caramel cookies.
5. Create new traditions. Going to the pumpkin patch is obligatory of course, but what you do with those orange things once you get home is what makes your family unique. If they’re old enough, try letting your child draw the face on this year and then carve away at whatever masterpiece they come up with. Add some gourds into the mix and get playful and creative with your kids. These are the memories that will last a lifetime, and these will be the traditions to get passed down again, and again.
Happy October!
Love, Momma Mills
