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Halloween is a time of magic and excitement, especially for toddlers who are just starting to experience the thrill and magic of this spooky season. From dressing up in adorable costumes to exploring the sights and sounds of Halloween, there are countless ways to make this holiday special for your little one. Engaging in Halloween-inspired activities not only provides fun and entertainment but also fosters creativity, sensory development, and family bonding. Here, we’ll share some toddler-friendly Halloween activities that will help your child to have a memorable and enjoyable Halloween, filled with new experiences and fun!
1. Pumpkin Painting
Carving pumpkins can sometimes be challenging (and messy) for toddlers, but painting pumpkins can be a fantastic alternative. Provide your toddler with washable paints and brushes, and let their creativity run wild. You can also use stickers, googly eyes, and other craft supplies to decorate the pumpkins. As I mentioned in my post Fall Activities for Toddlers, you can find your pumpkins at a local pumpkin patch (which is super fun for kiddos), or grab one quick at the store if you’re in a pinch.
If you do decide to go the pumpkin carving route, grab a pumpkin carving kit to make it a little bit easier!
2. Halloween Sensory Bin
Create a Halloween-themed sensory bin filled with items like plastic spiders, toy pumpkins (these squeezy ones are great for kids), dried corn, and colored rice. Sensory bins are great for developing fine motor skills and providing tactile exploration. Not to mention, sensory bins tend to keep toddlers occupied for quite some time! Add some Halloween-themed toys (like these Halloween pop its) or even use a cauldron as your sensory bin to make it even more festive and exciting.
3. Costume Dress-Up
Encourage your toddler to dress up in their Halloween costume or create a dress-up corner with various Halloween-themed costumes and accessories. We love this idea because it’s different and FUN! This not only sparks their imagination but also helps them get used to wearing their costume before the big day and makes for some adorable photo ops.
4. Spooky Storytime
Find some festive books by visiting your local library or take a look below at some great Halloween book options for toddlers. There’s no better way to help your little one get ready for the Halloween season by reading a few themed books! Books like “Room on the Broom” by Julia Donaldson, “Where’s My Mummy?” by Carolyn Crimi, and “Five Little Pumpkins” by Dan Yaccarino are perfect for toddlers and help set the Halloween mood. If your tot has any favorite characters, check out books like “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse – Mickeys Halloween”, “CoComelon Pumpkin Patch Halloween”, or “Happy Halloween! A Spooky Sesame Street Treat”.
5. Halloween Crafts
Get crafty with some simple Halloween-themed projects. Try making paper plate pumpkins, handprint ghosts, or toilet paper roll bats. These crafts are easy for little hands and make great decorations for your home or gifts for others. This article on The Bump has tons of easy and adorable Halloween crafts to partake in with your little one!
6. Monster Dance Party
If your toddler is anything like mine, they LOVE to dance! Create a Halloween playlist with fun, spooky songs, and have a monster dance party. Songs like “Monster Mash” and “Ghostbusters” will get your toddler moving and grooving. This is a great way to burn off some energy and have a lot of laughs. It’s a super fun activity to do with all members of the family and is something everyone will enjoy. Don’t forget to grab some photos and videos of this silly moment so you can relive it whenever you want.
7. Trick-or-Treat Practice
If this is your toddler’s first time trick-or-treating, it is a great idea to practice at home first. Grab some family members or friends to stand behind a few doors in your house, and have your toddler knock on each door and say “trick or treat!”. This helps them understand the concept and feel more comfortable and familiar with it on Halloween night.
8. Halloween Snack Making
Involve your toddler in making some simple Halloween-themed snacks. Try making “monster” sandwiches, ghost bananas (bananas with chocolate chip eyes), or jack-o-lantern oranges (oranges with jack-o-lantern faces drawn on them – find food-safe markers here). This festive snack-making activity is both fun and delicious. It might even get your picky eater to try some foods they normally wouldn’t!
9. “Ghost Hunt”
Create a not-so-spooky ghost hunt in your backyard or living room. Hide small ghost cutouts or ghost-themed toys (these are perfect for toddlers) and have your toddler find or “hunt” them. You can even turn off the lights and use a flashlight to make it more exciting. Believe me when I tell you that this is SO fun! It reminds me of Easter egg hunting but Halloween-style. You can even give a prize for finding all of the ghosts at the end or if playing with others, give a prize to whoever finds the most!
10. Glow-in-the-Dark Fun
Add some iridescent magic to your Halloween celebrations with glow-in-the-dark activities. Use glow sticks or glow-in-the-dark toys (like these super fun stretchy strings) to create a bright and fun experience for your toddler. Our favorite Halloween glow stick activity is making glowing ghosts by inserting glow sticks into white balloons and drawing a face on them or having a glow-in-the-dark dance party!
11. Halloween Movie Time
End the day with a cozy Halloween movie. Choose age-appropriate ones like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” “Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest,” or “Room on the Broom.” This may even become a Halloween tradition for your family that lasts for years to come.
Halloween offers a unique blend of new experiences and fun for toddlers, filled with countless opportunities to explore, create, and imagine. By incorporating these festive activities into your Halloween celebrations, you can create lasting memories and introduce your little one to the joys of this magical season. Whether you’re painting pumpkins, crafting spooky decorations, or enjoying a monster dance party, each activity brings its own special magic to the day. Embrace the excitement and make this Halloween a time of new discoveries and cherished moments for your toddler.
Happy Halloween!
XOXO,
Katie
