Halloween conjures up thoughts of witches, pumpkins, dressing up and sweets (lots of sweets), but is it all just good fun, asks Jennie Johnson
Trick or treat! Sounds like heaven for a child, right? Maybe not.
Some children love Halloween, but for babies and younger children (and some older ones too), it can be frightening. Witches, ghosts and spiders can play into fears of the dark, monsters and the unknown, not to mention the fact that lots of children just don’t like dressing up.
That isn’t to say you have to miss out on the fun. Here are some ideas to make the most of a less-spooky Halloween!
Torchlight time
You can make the most of the darker evenings by playing with torchlight. Just grab a torch, turn out the light and make shadows on the wall using either your hands or small toys. There are shadow puppet tutorials available on YouTube if you’re unsure how to do it. Babies, toddlers and children of all ages will all enjoy this, and it might be a good opportunity for some tummy time for younger babies.
Pumpkins
Pumpkins are a longstanding feature of Halloween and can be used to decorate the house without it looking like the set of a horror film. We’ve all seen images of perfectly carved pumpkins, but why not let your child have a go themselves, if they’re old enough? Or you could just enjoy some messy play together by using a waterproof tablecloth or their high-chair tray, adding the seeds and pumpkin flesh and letting them explore. Remember to supervise your child.
Build an indoor den
Using chairs, a sheet and pegs, you could build on indoor den to read a story in by torchlight, eat some snacks, share stories, play some games, or just lie back and enjoy the different view.
A walk in the dark
Halloween night itself might be a bit frightening, with streets filled with mini-witches, vampires and werewolves, but you could go for a walk in the early evening dark the night before or after. Walking in the dark is such a different experience for your baby or child – even the most familiar of streets can appear different. And keep an eye out for any nocturnal animals you spot along the way.
Food
If your child is weaned, there are so many options for a special treat at Halloween. You could add pumpkin purée and a little maple syrup to porridge, have a go at making pumpkin houmous or even pumpkin pancakes and muffins. For an easy breakfast, you could make a ‘witch’s brew’ by stirring different cereals together in a bowl, or adapt it for lunch by stirring a soup containing spaghetti. There are lots of good recipes available that nod to Halloween without overloading the sugar or verging on the scarier side. If your child isn’t weaned yet, why not try some for yourself?
Most of all, take some time to enjoy the cosiness of this time of year together, and mark it in the way that’s right for you and your child.
Jennie Johnson is co-founder of parenting app My First Five Years, mffy.com
