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.