 If your child is easily thrown off by social surprises, is particular about candy, or is easily anxious, here are some fun tips for a less prickly Halloween!
If your child is sensitive to touch and certain fabrics: Some children do not like the feel of the large awake seams and itchiness of most costumes. To combat this consider letting them wear close fitting clothes such as Under Armour and tight pajamas under their costume. Not only does it solve the problems with the costume but it also helps keep your child warm on those cool Halloween nights. If your child does not like tight layers, consider making them a simple costume. One easy idea is to get some discount fabric and safety-pinning the front for cape. It keeps them warm and is a great arts and craft activity they can usually help with, whether it be cutting the fabric or making a mask to go with it! If your child runs or wanders: Practice making stomping and monster mash moves to some of your child's favorite songs. Use these same songs and moves while Trick-or-treating to keep your child engaged and to help them stay with the group. Use a wagon or a stroller to take your child around the neighborhood. Older children can help with this task as well. If your child dislikes loud, unexpected noises: Use headphones as a part of your child's costume. This allows your child to participate and have a fun costume too. If your child chooses, let him/her support the group and stay engaged by staying back and "watching for spooky thing" instead of going up to the front of houses. Approaching house can be too over stimulating. Check in for reports periodically to asses the fright level for the group and to boost the confidence of you child for handling the situation. Speaking of social skills: Practice "knock knock, who's there" jokes, and appropriate or fun ways to talk to strangers in the weeks ahead. Keep it fun by switching up the characters- how about introducing yourself like a vampire or a ghost? This is a great way to problem solve new conversations while making it easy and fun, giving your child the opportunyt to think about the other person's perspective. If you have a younger one, engage in peak-a-boo games leading up to trick-or-treating. It's also a great time to practice "please" and "more" in order to get candy! Home after Trick or Treating: A sugar rush at 10 p.m. is good for no one. Luckily there are alternatives to spreading out all of the candy and devouring each morsel from its categorized pile. Take pictures of the bags of candy maybe even weigh them, congratulating the success of a hard won treasure. Trade the bag in that night for a favored and fair option later that week, whether it be a stuffed animal, toy, movies or a pizza party. Of course save a few sweet favorites from being traded if needed, and go to bed at a happy hour. Last Resorts: If all this sounds like too much for your child or family, that's fine and you are not alone! Consider a cozy night home and handing treasures to new friends. You can make silly faces and fun noises while decorating cookies or pie. There is no shame in doing what works for your little one. Here's also a special mention to a family-friendly, half mile walk through 3,000 hand-carved pumpkins. There are no scares or gore, just some fog machines and giant pumpkin designs in different themes. If your child bores easily, know that there is a scavenger hunt, a treasure dig, a pirate cove, face painting and more. Even better, it is offered during the day and evening for many weeks, so you can avoid a holiday rush. https://pumpkinnights.com/denver/ |
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