Scare up some Halloween fun for the whole family with these ideas.
Tricks and Treats aren’t just for tots. Halloween fun is for everyone. Here are a few ideas for…
Halloween Ideas for Young Children
Decorate Miniature Pumpkins
Young children love doing things for themselves but when it comes to knives, independence is out of the question. Why not forgo the jack-o’-lantern this year and opt for paint, glitter and glue instead?
What to Do
Gather little people around a sheet or newspaper covered table (don’t forget smocks or t-shirts).
Make sure there is a pumpkin for everyone (get one or two extra for unexpected playmate guests)
Pumpkins should be of a size that is manageable for little hands and small enough to fully decorate before children get bored and ready to move on.
Put everything out before you get started. Craft items can include yarn for hair, markers, paint, pumpkin sized hats, fabric, paint and glitter (don’t forget the glue and paint brushes).
Tweens at Halloween
Tweens may feel too grown up for a costumed Halloween, but they aren’t necessarily ready to abandon the fun altogether. Children this age may enjoy participating in Halloween in a way that lets them feel grown up and helpful.
What to Do
Encourage children to assemble Halloween treat bags to be distributed among children in shelters.
Involve the children in shopping and decorating for trick or treaters.
Let children invite friends over for cider and scary stories that they read from a book or create on their own. They may also enjoy making a gingerbread house. Don’t forget the camera!
Halloween for Teens
Teens love to have fun but trick or treating is definitely out. Talk with your teen ahead of time to be sure any Halloween plans are fun and safe (i.e. drug and alcohol free).
What to Do
Be sure any Halloween parties your child plans to attend are chaperoned.
Encourage your child’s creativity – In the age of YouTube some teens may enjoy making a Halloween video or baking spooky treats to share or sell for a special cause.
Encourage your teens to consider volunteer service - Some teens may want to do a Halloween skit at the local senior center, throw a party for youngsters at the community center, host a costume drive for kids that won’t otherwise have one, or share Halloween fun at a local children’s hospital
Halloween Traditions for Families
Create Halloween traditions – MaybeHalloween is the first day you light the fireplace each year, or share a special family written story, visit the same pumpkin patch or scarecrow festival, bake a special family recipe or volunteer to share some Halloween spirit.
Have a happy Halloween!
The copyright of the article Fun Halloween Ideas in Parenting Methods is owned by Barbara Gibson. Permission to republish Fun Halloween Ideas in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
