Halloween’s a big deal when you’re a kid. The idea that there may actually be witches flying around on brooms outside of the house, and that your carved pumpkin Jack’O’Lantern
is the only thing between you and being captured by all kinds of unthinkable beasties is a pretty big deal.
On top of that, strange people you’ve never met before are slamming on your front door and demanding treats or else, and they do so wearing frightening outfits. A child might just wonder why adults seem so bent on celebrating this awful day at all.
Of course, the truth is that Halloween is only a bit of fun, and so children should be involved in that, even as they get to grips with the concept. Some children dive in headfirst, but others are more sensitive and require a little more caring. That’s absolutely fine. Halloween doesn’t have to be about incredible scares and horror that would make a special forces operative quake in their boots, it can also be a fun time where color, costumes, and levity can be had by all.
But how can we convince our hesitant child of that? Let’s consider that, below:
Throw An Event Without Horror Elements
Halloween, while sporting a tradition of a horror focus, is not necessarily always horror-based. You can enjoy plenty of fun without it. Throwing a small event within your home, such as inviting your family members for a party and a nice meal, and wearing fun Halloween costumes from movies or TV shows you like could be a good way to showcase the event can be fun without all the scares.
From there, you may decide to add some minor spooky decorations which aren’t really that intensive or worrying in any way. Fake cobwebs lining the bannister of your stairs, a cute witch plushy doll, or some nice pumpkins with their faces carved into smiles can be a nice starting point. Throwing this event becomes a fun party, and your child will look forward to it again next year. So will you.
Show Them Fun, Spooky, But Not Overwhelming Films
There are plenty of fun Halloween-based films out there that showcase a little scariness but remain suitable for children. For instance, Coco by Disney, Muppet’s Haunted Mansion, Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Party, and of course Monster’s Inc.
That kind of fun animation and joking atmosphere gives you the chance to showcase what Halloween is about and the furthering of it, without it being too full-on. If your child can see even their favorite characters having a good time, they’ll feel as though doing so is the best possible choice, on top of your positive reinforcement.
Make It Funny
Halloween can be very funny. The idea of silly people dressing as ghosts, witches, and fun characters and pretending to be oh so spooky is a fun, great time, and it’s important for us to appreciate.
It might be, then, that you can make the event funny so that your child feels it’s not all bad at all. Perhaps your partner could dress up as a clumsy vampire or ghost who keeps bumping into walls. Maybe you can play fun party games like pass the parcel for a reward, or play a cool co-operative video game together, for instance LEGO Batman has some spooky themes in it but is utterly suitable for children.
Enjoy The Food Sensation!
If you’re not eating your body weight in sweets at Halloween, you’re doing it wrong. Or at least, that’s what it can seem like. So, it can be fun to bring your child into the kitchen and have them help you with crafting a wonderful meal, at least to the extent that they can.
For instance, cooking fun spider-decorated cookies with them and allowing them to mix with the flour can help them feel confident and comfortable in providing something to the gathering. When they feel that they’ve had a hand in managing the event, they’re less likely to fear it or stay worried for long.
You can even implement food into a worthwhile game you take some candies or sweets and craft a treasure hunt with them around your garden. That kind of fun is simple, delicious, and memorable.
Go Trick Or Treating!
Of course, you don’t have to lock yourself in your house simply because your child is a little apprehensive. You can always bring them away from anyone who may be wearing a slightly over-the-top costume.
Meeting all the neighbors, having a pleasant few words with them, and relieving them of their sweeties can be a fun time, and it shows that the general community atmosphere or Halloween is fun. Your community planners may have even scheduled a larger event like a firework show worth taking part in. Going trick or treating is good fun, then, and worth the time spent on it. If you feel this is worthwhile, then it may be a great use of your time, and you can always come back home after a couple of hours should your child become tired or agitated.
Avoid The Urge To Shelter Them
When a child feels scared or worried about Halloween, that’s natural. However, we can certainly encourage this response if we cater to it too much, or make out that there is something to fear and that feeling scared is something they should never experience.
That sounds harsh, but there’s an important balancing act here. The goal is to help your child see Halloween isn’t so bad or scary, and to grow as a result of that. So, don’t allow them to lock themselves in their room, comfort them, but not so much that they feel there’s an incentive to becoming scared at this time of year.
This will help them develop healthily and get involved, because ultimately, there’s nothing to fear at all.
With this advice, you’re certain to help a young child deal with, and finally enjoy, the presence of Halloween in the best possible sense.