No trick or treating. No little music group festivities or toddler parties with friends. And parents at our Montessori aren’t allowed into the school for the Halloween celebration, either. It’s going to be a strange Halloween for my little ones. One thing I’ve learned over the past few years of parenting little children is that balloons and colored pancakes can make a huge impact on impressionable little minds and can make even the most “rained out” of holidays exciting. Here are some ideas…
HANG BATS OR BALLOONS ON THE WINDOWS/WALLS WHILE THEY ARE SLEEPING
DECORATE HALLOWEEN CARDS FOR GRANDPARENTS AND COUSINS USING STICKERS AND GHOST CARDS
SURPRISE WITH A NEW BOOK — I’M ORDERING THIS ONE FOR MINI THIS YEAR, BUT THIS IS A CLASSIC MY MOM READ TO ME AND EMORY HAS LONG ADORED THIS ONE
FOR YOUNGER BABIES, MY CHILDREN HAVE LOVED THIS HALLOWEEN FLAP BOOK AND OF COURSE SPOOKIE POOKIE
I ORDERED THIS $10 MINI WAFFLE IRON WHICH TURNS OUT WAFFLES IN THE SHAPE OF PUMPKINS — MINI WILL FLIP OUT!
SET OUT SPECIAL HALLOWEEN TABLEWARE
DECORATE SUGAR COOKIES WITH THESE THEMED SPRINKLES
ATTACH THESE PRECIOUS CINDERELLA TAGS TO THESE LITTLE HALLOWEEN BUBBLES BY WRAPPING IN CELLO BAGS WITH A BIG ORANGE RIBBON FOR CLASSMATES
FILL A PERSONALIZED TREAT BASKET WITH HALLOWEEN SURPRISES AT YOUR LITTLE ONE’S BREAKFAST SPOT — ONE OF THE BOOKS ABOVE, A STICKER BOOK (<<LOVE THIS BRAND), A PERSONALIZED HAIR BOW, GLOW IN THE DARK PLAY-DOH
PUT SPECIAL TREATS IN DIFFERENT STATIONS OF THE HOUSE / BACKYARD FOR AT-HOME TRICK-OR-TREATING
WATCH A HALLOWEEN MOVIE — DEPENDING ON AGE, IT’S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, CHARLIE BROWN, ROOM ON THE BROOM, OR HOCUS POCUS
SURPRISE WITH HALLOWEEN JAMMIES
MAKE BATHTIME SPECIAL WITH THIS SURPRISE BATH BOMB (RELEASES LITTLE TOYS!)
SWAP IN SEASONAL VERSIONS OF FAVORITE SNACKS — MINI LOVES THIS KIND OF THING! CONSIDER BOOS + BITES PIRATE’S BOOTY, GHOST AND BATS VEGGIE CHIPS, BUNNY AND BAT FRUIT SNACKS, AND HALLOWEEN GO GO SQUEEZ POUCHES
HIDE THESE PRE-FILLED PUMPKINS AROUND THE LIVING ROOM FOR A SCAVENGER HUNT
TIE A WITCH PINATA TO A TREE IN THE BACKYARD
For Halloween daytime outfits, a few favorites for boys and girls:
IF YOU WANT SIBLING MATCHING, LOVE THIS AND THIS
THIS FLORAL PETAL FLOAT DRESS (ALSO GOOD FOR THANKSGIVING)
SWEET PUMPKIN PETAL COLLAR DRESS
A LITTLE MORE SUBTLE — LOVE THIS GINGHAM LONG ROMPER FOR A BABY GIRL
DRESS UP YOUR DOG! — TILLY WOULD GO INSANE IF WE TRIED ANYTHING, BUT IF YOURS IS A TAMER POOCH…THIS IS HILARIOUS
If you’re still on the hunt for festive decor that is maybe not black bats in your window, these gingham pumpkins are so fun.
As for what I’ll be wearing — I have to be honest: I’m not huge into dressing up. I’m pretty bad at it. Instead, I wear “festive” clothes — usually these Aquazzura spider mules I bought two seasons ago that are perfect, and would look amazing with a dress like this or jeans and a blazer, but these in the gold/yellow velvet would be fun for the day along with all-black-everything else.
P.S. If you’re looking for Halloween costume ideas for little ones, check out my most recent Magpie Mail post.
P.P.S. Nursery finds.
Hope it’s not too late to add this (Amazon Prime to the rescue!), but my nearly 3 year old has been thoroughly enjoying the book The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything. We have been reading it maybe 10x a day the past few weeks!
!! Not too late – thank you!!
So many great ideas! Halloween is already a big topic of conversation around our house & I’m trying to manage expectations (and adhere to COVID-related guidelines) while not totally raining on the kids’ parade. I’ve bookmarked this post for inspiration! Thank you!
Also, I am so with you on not dressing up. I do love a theme, though, and appreciate your suggestions for subtle, adult-appropriate wardrobe items! I think I’ll go with a sleeveless black dress and maybe an animal print turtleneck from Ganni layered underneath? We shall see. Not sure if that’s really Halloween-y, but whatevs!
xx
Animal print is a good safe bet for something mildly costume-y like/Halloween-esque without being too on the nose. I vote yes. xx
MK, we have been on the same wavelength lately! Last Halloween I wore a leopard print midi dress from Banana Republic and called it a day. I’ll probably do the same this year! Though it might be giraffe print this time. BR has released some really nice animal print dresses for this season (mostly poly, but…)!
Ooooh — thanks for the tip about BR, Mia! I can’t resist a good animal print!
Love these ideas! Especially the egg hunt! Do you Boo your neighbors/friends? Everyone in our neighborhood gets really into it (gifting nice bottles of wine for adults and treats for the kids) and my kids love Boo-ing others more than getting Boo-ed. It’s another fun way to celebrate!
I don’t even know about this tradition! Explain!? It sounds fun. xx
You can google it, but basically and you print off a cute note, leave someone a basket of treats and then they put up a sign in their window (so they aren’t Booed again) and they make a copy of the note and Boo two more neighbors/friends. Going to someone’s door after dark (which is at like 5:00 here in October) and ringing their doorbell and running is my kids favorite part. They love a good surprise, even if it’s for someone else!
So cute!! Love this! I wonder if I could somehow make this work in my building…
I have always loathed Halloween but for some reason this year I am HERE for it. Maybe because I don’t have to attend any parties wearing a costume? I absolutely love these ideas and am excited to incorporate as many as I can for the kiddos this year. Thank you!
Yes! Totally – I’ve never liked Halloween either but it is SO fun now that mini is older and “gets it.” Looking forward to going all out for her this year. xx
A Halloween themed Easter egg hunt could be fun inside the home or outdoors! Looks like there are actual Halloween themed Easter eggs, too (who knew?!).
Addition: my favorite part of classroom Halloween parties was the fog machine! Made things feel extra spooky and special. My mom always gave us glow sticks to wear trick-or-treating, which would also feel special indoors!
Ooh love both of these ideas! xx