Halloween is just around the corner, and for the parents of toddlers it can be both a very fun and a very challenging holiday to navigate. Getting your little guy or girl into a costume is not likely to be much of a battle because most toddlers love to play “dress up”. If you want, you can even get into the act with a compatible costume for yourself. Your toddler is sure to love seeing Mommy, Daddy, or both “playing dress up” too.
This year, Dylan has decided that he would like to be a fireman. He already has his costume and plays with it all the time. He also requested that I dress up as a “fire girl”, and that I dress his seven month old baby brother as a “firehouse dog”. I think that it is sweet that he wants us to all be dressed up together, so I’m going to go right along with his suggestion. If I’m feeling extra ambitious I may even use some cardboard boxes to transform our double jogging stroller into a fire truck.
That said, I do not think that we are going to do any actual trick or treating. I’ll take the boys downtown before dark, because many of the shops on Main Street offer little surprises for the kids. There is also a costume parade in the performance center downtown, and I think that Dylan will like seeing all of the other kids and their costumes.
Parents who are taking their toddlers trick or treating may want to brief them about some of the things that they may see along the way, so that the kids will know what to expect – people in all kinds of costumes including scary ones, sound effects, people jumping out to say “boo”, and whatever else you can think of.
Spooky sights and sounds are not the only thing that you’ll want to prepare your toddler for in advance. Clearly explain your family’s policy on candy, and what you plan to do with all of those treats. Some families encourage the kids to hand over their goodie bags in exchange for a new toy or a special book. Some families allow the kids to choose a couple of pieces to enjoy and then discard the rest. More important than the actual policy, though, is explaining it in advance instead of trying to sell your toddler on the idea once he or she has already collected a bag of candy.
Hopefully, these pointers will make Halloween less tricky and more of a treat for you and your little ones. What are your favorite tips for making Halloween safe, fun, and healthy for toddlers?