For most kids, Halloween is a top choice when it comes to favorite holidays. After all, who doesn’t love dressing up as a beloved character and getting free candy?
Halloween doesn’t just have to be about trick-or-treating – there’s plenty of stimulating activities you can do with your toddlers or preschoolers that will have them excited for this year’s spooky season. If you have older kiddos around, they can join in on the fun too. Here’s a list of ideas to help you get started.
Build a Gingerbread Haunted House
December doesn’t have dibs on gingerbread houses, and putting a scary spin on the traditionally Christmas-related activity can be loads of fun. You can go all out and make the gingerbread from scratch or opt for a prepackaged kit at a retailer like Amazon. Either way, it’s sure to be a big hit with the kids and may even become a family tradition!
Have a Spooky Living Room Campout
Bust out the sleeping bags and maybe even a tent if it’s the right size for an exciting Halloween “campout.” Together you can enjoy Halloween-themed books, movies, and yummy snacks. Wear your costumes during the evening to make it extra special!
Visit a Pumpkin Patch or Farm
Taking your preschool-aged child to a corn maze or pumpkin patch is a great way to make memories. Depending on where you live, some farms may have other things to do as well, like face painting, hay rides, and other attractions.
Make a Halloween Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are always a big hit for toddlers and preschoolers, and making them Halloween-themed can add another level of excitement. Make the base of your sensory bin orange and black by adding uncooked black beans and red lentil beans. Then, you can start using your imagination and add fun Halloween items. Think mini pumpkins, bones, eye balls, spiders, cotton ball webs, etc. All of these items can be found inexpensively at the dollar store.
Decorate Pumpkins
Yearly pumpkin decorating is something every child looks forward to. And don’t worry, if you’re not too keen on the messy process of carving pumpkins, decorating and painting is the perfect alternative. Get a variety of paints and other options like glitter or stickers. This is a great way to give your kiddo a chance to be creative and have a blast doing it.
Make Halloween Treats
Putting together some spooky treats is another way to entertain your preschooler while getting them excited about Halloween. From baking ghost-shaped cookies to making orange Rice Krispies treats, involve your child in the whole process. And the best part, of course, is getting to eat the treats at the end!
Have a Halloween Dance Party
This activity is simple and can easily be done at any time of the day. It can be especially fun at night when the lights can be dimmed and it’s dark outside. You can even replace one of the light bulbs with a green or orange light. Pull up a kids Halloween playlist on one of the music streaming apps and dance together! If you’re feeling extra festive, you can even dress up in costumes.
Make a Halloween Fort
Making forts is a right of passage for children. Take it up a notch by getting some fun decorations for the blanket fort and make it a special occasion. You can always build it in front of the TV and have a Halloween movie night together. A haunted blanket fort is sure to be a favorite.
Look at Neighborhood Decorations
Depending on where you live, your neighbors may go all out when it comes to decorations in October. Walking around the neighborhood at night to look at all the fun lights and Halloween decor is a relaxing way to spend time together and enjoy the season.
Happy Halloween
No matter what activities you choose to do with your preschooler, you can provide a chance for them to be creative, learn, and experience new things throughout the weeks leading up to Halloween. Enjoy!