My kids love Halloween. They can’t wait to transform themselves into princesses and goblins so they can wander the neighborhood trolling for candy. It’s also one of my favorite holidays, but, as a parent, there is always some anxiety about little kids, costumes, and candy. Are they warm enough, is it a safe to go out? So, if you’re like me, here’s a list of tips to answer these questions and make this night fun.
- Haunting the House
- Kids love to get in the decorating action and it is a great idea to let them. Just make sure that if you are stringing up lights or other electrical decorations, that their cords are in good condition and you are not overloading any sockets.
- It’s always a special treat for kids to light the jack o’ lanterns. It’s safest and least stressful to use electric substitutes or glow sticks instead of candles.
- Picking out their costumes is the first treat of the season. Try to steer your kids toward bright costumes, but if they’ve gone with a darker one, use reflective tape so they are more visible at night.
- I try to choose make-up to masks whenever possible. If we are using make-up, I have my kids draw out what they want their make-up to look like for Halloween and follow their sketch as best as I can.
- Give each little ghost its own glow stick or flashlight. They can make spooky faces and shadows while hunting for candy and be seen by traffic.
- On the Prowl
- If trick or treating with small children, make sure they have adult supervision and stay in large groups. There is always safety in numbers.
- Plan your route, meeting location, length of tick or treating, and what to do if separated. Tell your little monsters to avoid alleys and shortcuts, and not to accept rides with anyone.
- Visit well-lit homes with decorations, in familiar neighborhoods. If you have to walk too far or there are too few houses in your neighborhood, consider having a party instead.
- Make sure your little ghosts follow all the rules for pedestrian traffic (cross at lights, use crosswalks, etc.) and watch for cars.
- Remind your goblins to stay on sidewalks, and not to cut through yards. Even vampires respect other’s property.
- The Sugar Score
- Always say thank you (even if the dentist is giving out toothbrushes).
- Parents must check candy before consuming for damaged, unwrapped items. Although tampering doesn’t happen often, it does happen.
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