What Are Five Tips For Having A Fun And Safe Halloween With Your Young Child?

1. Choose a costume that has some meaning for your child. Vampire and mummy costumes will have little relevance for the very young. Better to choose a character that your child is familiar with. Besides the usual Halloween favorites of bunny, cat and pumpkin, think about a book character from one of your child’s favorite books.

2. Make sure that your young child’s face is not covered. Remember that this is all new to them. They have no experience with something over their face and most don’t like it. And, anything that compromises their vision can lead to disorientation and the risk of falling.

3. Be sure that your child has complete freedom of movement. In addition to the need to be comfortable, it supports their safety as well. I have seen fantastic costumes fashioned by incredibly creative parents that resulted in unhappy children unable to walk even a few steps.. A child who was a "bag of grapes" - picture a kid encased in balloons - who couldn't walk or sit comes to mind. 

4. Skip a costume with props. Hands must be free to hold a container for collecting treats and, more importantly, to hold your hand, at all times, on busy streets.

5. Rehearse Trick or Treating. Young children love repetition. Let them wear their costume around the house before Halloween. Make up a game of them knocking on a door and you opening it when they say trick or treat. It’s hard to believe, but the three and four-year-old set never tire of receiving pretend candy.

Keep it simple, enjoy the magic… and the sweet treats!

Read more about Halloween:

Big Question: What About Halloween?

Is There Room On The Witch’s Broom?