Halloween Preparation Guide

Every parent can use some inspiration for Halloween, especially when trick-or-treating with little ones. From themed snacks and movies to preparing costumes, it’s a fun, busy time for all celebrating families. To keep the holiday safe and upbeat, here are some top Halloween tips for families to follow.

1. Make Fun Costumes

You don’t need to overspend on costumes to create something fun and memorable, especially if they’re only going to wear it once. Sites like Pinterest have loads of creative ways to make DIY costumes your small child will love. Have them help, if possible, to involve them in the fun experience.

2. Bring Snacks 

Encourage your child to eat before going trick-or-treating so they don’t get hungry, tired, or cranky. However, it’s best to be prepared and to bring water and a healthier snack like fruit or a granola bar in case they want something while walking around. Otherwise, they will feel sick if they only eat candy or treats. 

3. Decorate Together 

Decorate the house with your little one to celebrate the season. This can include a few sections of the house like the living room or front porch, or the entire house! Searching for ideas? Think of setting up a small pumpkin patch at your front door with pumpkins, hay, and corn stalks. You can also sketch and cut out spooky designs like spiders, ghosts, or bats and place them throughout the house. Another idea parents can incorporate is to hang multi-color LED strip lights and cobwebs around the house.

4. Carve Pumpkins

It’s all about pumpkins! Pick out a pumpkin and simple design with your child and supervise them while you carve together. You can find easy, printable designs like flowers online.

5. Watch Family-Friendly Halloween Movies 

Families will love these classic and newer Halloween-inspired movies:

• Coco
• It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
• Muppets Haunted Mansion
• Monsters, Inc.
• Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie 
• Hotel Transylvania
• Toy Story of Terror
• Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest

6. Indulge in Treats

Consider making or buying snacks like apple cider, pumpkin bread, caramel popcorn, decorated rice krispie treats, or decorated pizzas!

7. Read Themed Books 

Whether or not you trick-or-treat, you can get in the Halloween mood with your little one by reading family-friendly books about fall weather, spooky spirits, and pumpkins. Your local library may even have a display in place, so ask your librarian for recommendations. Here are a few top-rated themed books:

• Biscuit Visits the Pumpkin Patch
• Room on the Broom
• Pete the Cat: Trick or Pete
• Gustavo the Shy Ghost
• The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
• Corduroy’s Best Halloween Ever 

8. Join a Halloween Parade 

Look up kid-friendly parades and festivals in your local area. They have costume contests, treats, carnival games, and other fall and Halloween-inspired activities. 

9. Follow Halloween Safety Tips 

Keep safe and have fun by following these top Halloween safety tips:

• Smaller children should be accompanied by their parents or guardians. If there is a group, consider placing your name, address, and phone number in case you get separated from your child. 
• Children should be aware of stranger danger and avoid strangers and/or walking into anyone’s home
• Always walk on sidewalks
• Carry a flashlight and consider adding reflectors or reflective strips for motorists to see
• Remind children to be mindful when crossing the street (e.g. look both ways, hold your hand when crossing, don’t run out towards the street, watch for cars)
• Check your child’s candy before they eat it

If you’re searching for a high-quality daycare near in the Greater Philadelphia Area, turn to Ducklings Early Learning Center. Children can look forward to fun, themed enrichment activities, plentiful outdoor playtime, and socialization with their peers. Our college-trained teachers encourage children to explore the world around them with a focus on mind, body, heart, and family. Families can feel confident that students are engaged in an age-appropriate daycare curriculum in a safe, compassionate environment. 
For more information on specific childcare center locations, visit our Locations page or get in touch with our office.