Friday, 23 August 2024

How To Make Trick-or-Treating Safe and Fun for Your Kids

A group of school-age children in Halloween costumes joyfully hurrying down a neighborhood sidewalk with a mom supervising.

Halloween is a magical time for kids, filled with costumes, candies, and spooky excitement. However, making trick or treating safe and fun for your kids requires some planning. We have some creative and practical tips to ensure they have an unforgettable and safe Halloween experience! 

One of my fondest memories as a child was going out and trick or treating with my cousins and collecting all kinds of cool 90’s candy. Coming home and sorting it out making trades was a blast and kids these days love every second of it. I have noticed a huge increase in vintage candies coming back to store shelves lately and it is such a joy to share these treats with our kids. Now we can reminisce about our 90’s candy and they will actually listen without calling us old or vintage. Now take these tips and share them with your trick or treating group so they can have an amazing experience as well! 

Plan the Route in Advance

One of the first steps is planning your trick-or-treating route in advance. Choose well-lit neighborhoods and stick to familiar areas where you know the community. This choice not only keeps your kids safe but also helps them feel more comfortable. Share the route with other parents and set a meeting point in case anyone wanders away.

Choose Safe and Comfortable Costumes

Costumes are the heart of Halloween but can also pose safety risks. Ensure your kids’ costumes are not only fun but also safe and comfortable. Avoid long, flowing fabrics that can cause them to trip. Use flame-resistant materials and add reflective tape to costumes and bags to increase visibility. Don’t forget to make sure they can see and move freely in their costumes.

We love to buy glow sticks from the dollar store to light the kids up while they walk. We have also purchased stick on reflectors for the kids to wear on their backpacks, wrists, ankles, or wherever they can be easily seen by cars passing by!

Go Over Trick-or-Treating Etiquette

Before heading out, go over basic trick-or-treating etiquette with your kids. Remind them to say “please” and “thank you,” and to only visit homes with porch lights on. Discuss the importance of staying on sidewalks and not cutting across yards. Explain to younger kids that you’ll need to go through the treats yourself to ensure everything is safe.

Make It Sensory-Friendly

Halloween can be overwhelming for some kids, especially those sensitive to sensory input. Use a few tips for making Halloween more sensory friendly for kids who might feel overwhelmed by unfamiliar costumes and crowds. Choose quieter times to go trick-or-treating and have a plan for quick breaks if needed. Consider offer your kids earplugs or noise-canceling headphones if they need help managing sensory overload.

Ensure to check sweets for hazards, or tampering

When we were growing up we had a few incidents where some shady people had handed out tampered with candy and dangerous items. Back then the rules for 90’s Candy were a lot simpler and people could easily place loose pieces in bags and hand them out without people even questioning it. 

In the last few years we have seen some dangerous items placed in candies and kids have gotten hurt so don’t allow your kids to just dig in without having an adult do a thorough search first. The myth of people poisoning kids has been tossed around for years but never substantiated. But there have been sharp objects or pins found in treats as a prank and that’s just as terrifying.

In conclusion, making trick or treating safe and fun for your kids is all about preparation and mindfulness. Plan your route, choose safe costumes, teach proper etiquette, and consider sensory needs to ensure a fantastic Halloween. With these strategies, you can create a memorable and safe experience for your little ones. So grab those candy bags and get ready for a bone-chilling night!

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