by Hailey Zalopany
The holidays are some of the most anticipated and memorable times of the year for families. We look forward to sharing old traditions with our kids as well as starting new ones. Although the holiday traditions we create with our kids may stay the same, our kids definitely won’t. In the blink of an eye, the princesses and pirates who used to hold your hand on the hunt for candy are having house parties.
Although there are times when it can be sad watching your children grow older and become less interested in the holiday activities you had done together just the last year, it can also be exciting. Each year, there are new ways to celebrate the holidays, making it fun and fresh for both you and your children. You can still hold onto your traditions while adding on new aspects that they may not have yet experienced. Through this article, we’ll go through some of the best ways to celebrate October’s spookiest holiday in an age-appropriate way to get the most out of the holiday season.
Halloween with a Baby
Before your child is old enough to walk and talk, Halloween is really for you. The stroller becomes a rocket ship for the littlest astronaut and you a green marshan. Or a bumblebee strapped to your chest, while you’re a beekeeper. Enjoy this time to be silly and have fun. Although they might not remember it, you definitely will! And be sure to take plenty of pictures, they’ll want to see themselves dressed in your cutesy costume of choice in a few years.
Toddlers and Preschoolers (2-5)
For toddlers and preschoolers, the world is made of wonder. They’ll love the chance to dress as their favorite animal, character, or even food! Although they are still a little young to do any of the big kid Halloween activities, there are still a ton of activities kids this age love. The focus should be on the activities and festivities rather than the candy. Let the month of October be a slow build-up to Halloween, rather than a single-day celebration.
Kids love crafts, and there may be no better time than Halloween to let this passion go crazy. Although young children are too young to carve their own jack-o-lantern, that doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy making a pumpkin guts mess! Carve a pumpkin together and let them put their input. Although you may be doing most of the work, they are sure to feel a sense of pride in “their” pumpkin.
Get crafty making paper ghosts or painting. An alternative to pumpkin carving could be letting them paint one. Baking is also a great activity with a reward. The only thing kids love more than cupcakes is getting to put candy eyeballs and worms on cupcakes.
Don’t forget to check out the events in your area. Their schools or one nearby may be holding a Halloween-inspired fair that is perfect for their age group. Whether or not your child is old enough to go trick or treating is up to you, but door-to-door events in malls or schools may be a great alternative.
Elementary School Kids (6-10)
By elementary school, Halloween excitement is at a whole new level. Kids start to choose and develop favorite holiday songs, movies, and activities. They also have more independence in costume selection. And most important? Trick or treating! Whether it be school friends, neighborhood kids, or siblings, kids look forward to scouring the streets with their spooky bunch.
This is the golden age of trick or treating. Parents can trail behind and let the kids do most of the work, running up and down doorsteps carrying pillowcases and plastic pumpkins. As kids go through elementary school, parents may even choose to opt out of the sugar high powered block walk and let another trusted adult accompany them. If your kids are at a friend’s house for Halloween or you’re not up for the walk, how do you stay involved during this holiday?
There are plenty of other ways that you can share this holiday with your child of this age. Although Safeway might be the easiest option, research pumpkin patches nearby. Choosing a pumpkin from the field is much more rewarding for your child than selecting one from the vegetable aisle. Pumpkin patches also often have other events such as corn mazes and petting zoos, so you can really make a day out of it. They may even be old enough to carve their own pumpkin this year!
Celebrating with Tweens (11-14)
The transition period from childhood into teenhood is big and there are a lot of changes; the holiday season is no different for these tweens. The holiday that was once all about candy and pumpkins is now more about costumes and parties. This is a very social period for adolescents as they start to experiment with independence. Your child may be more interested in group costumes and sleepovers than the family events you once all enjoyed. This doesn’t mean that there still aren’t plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween together.
You can still do some of the traditions that your family has established, such as movie nights, pumpkin carving, and fairs, but try to get their friends involved. Ask your child if their friends would like to participate. If your child still wants to trick or treat and they don’t think it’s “for babies” or “lame” yet, let them go with just their friends. This, of course, depends on the area you are in and your comfort level.
This may even be a good age to introduce your child to some of the spookier aspects of Halloween. If they’re up for it and you think they’re ready, throw on a Halloween classic and have a movie night. Or check out haunted houses in your area. It is a new aspect to Halloween that they may not have been previously ready for that you can enjoy together.
Halloween with Teens (15-18)
For teens, Halloween is about nostalgia and personal style. While they may have outgrown trick or treating, they often still enjoy other traditions that you have established over the years. The movies and activities that you had enjoyed in previous years may not have the same level of wonder but rather nostalgia.
Unlike younger kids, teens often enjoy planning elaborate costumes, attending haunted houses, or hosting themed parties with friends. They might also take part in more age-appropriate traditions like scary movie marathons or creative pumpkin carving contests. With the right mix of freedom and family time, Halloween can be a perfect chance to connect with your teen while enjoying the spooky season.
Adapting Traditions as They Grow
Halloween is a holiday that grows and changes right alongside your children. While it may be bittersweet to see them outgrow certain traditions, it’s also a chance to embrace new ones and celebrate in ways that match who they are becoming. Whether you’re painting pumpkins with a toddler, chasing sugar-fueled elementary schoolers through the neighborhood, or helping your teen throw their first Halloween party, there are always meaningful moments to share. The most important part of the season isn’t the candy or the costumes—it’s the memories you create together. By staying flexible, involved, and open to change, you can keep the magic of Halloween alive at every age and stage of your child’s life.
