Over the years, I’ve learned that Halloween doesn’t have to be over-the-top to be memorable. Sometimes it’s the small things, a simple craft, carving pumpkins together, or reading a favorite story, that make the season special.
While Halloween has never been my favorite holiday, I have always enjoyed seeing the kids in their cute costumes. When our kids were little, we used to dress up as a family and join local community events.
As they got older, I loved watching them get creative. Some years it was a store-bought costume, other times something they pulled together from what we already had at home.
Now that our children are grown with families of their own, I am gathering some of our favorite family-friendly Halloween activities and resources to share with you.
You’ll find family traditions, hands-on crafts, storytime ideas, easy DIY costumes, and helpful safety tips, all in one place. No more searching, just more time making memories.
Family Traditions
Creating Halloween traditions is an excellent way to build memories that kids will look forward to each year. Whether it’s a fun dinner, a special snack, a favorite story, or a movie, starting traditions brings a sense of familiar anticipation to the holiday. One of our favorite traditions was carving our pumpkins and roasting the pumpkin seeds.
Try adding one or two of these ideas to your Halloween routine for a memorable celebration!
Halloween-Inspired Food:
Breakfast
Try mini bagels with pumpkin cream cheese, pumpkin pancakes, or pumpkin muffins.
Lunch
Why not go with a ghost-shaped sandwich, jack o’lantern quesadilla, or mac & cheese? Add orange fruit (see Clementine Pumpkins below) or vegetables (carrot sticks or Pepper Jack-o-Lanterns below).
Halloween Dinner
A great way to kick off the night. Set the table and start with a bit of nutrition before diving into all the sugar. It could be as simple as soup and a grilled cheese sandwich.
Healthy Halloween Snacks
Make snack time spooky with simple treats. Involve your kids by letting them help make these Halloween treats—it’s a fun way to enjoy the season!
- Banana Ghosts: Peel bananas, cut them in half (make two ghosts), and use mini chocolate chips for eyes to create ghostly treats. Eat immediately so they don’t turn brown.
- Pumpkin Clementines: Draw a jack-o-lantern face on an unpeeled clementine or orange with a black pen or marker. With the peel intact, the fruit keeps from drying out!
- Mummy Hot Dogs: Wrap strips of crescent roll dough around each hot dog, leaving a small gap near the top for the eyes. Bake until golden, then dot on the eyes with mustard or ketchup. These “mummies” are fun and easy for little ones to help make!
- Pepper Jack-o-Lanterns: Cut the top off an orange bell pepper, scoop out the seeds, and carve a little face. Put the top back on for a mini pumpkin! You can fill it with dip, like hummus, too.
- Orange-themed Snacks: Try these easy “orange” snacks: carrot sticks and hummus, peach yogurt, or an orange smoothie.
Pumpkin Decorating
Decorating pumpkins is a classic Halloween activity that young kids can safely enjoy, even without carving.
- No-Carve Options: Instead of carving, use markers, stickers, or paint to decorate pumpkins. This is safer and lets little hands get creative without sharp tools.
- Fun Themes: Encourage kids to create fun designs like silly faces, favorite book characters, or spooky creatures.
Halloween Crafts
Crafting together is a fun way to celebrate the season and create decorations for your home. These simple Halloween crafts will keep little hands busy.
- Ghost Balloons: Inflate white balloons and draw ghost faces with a black marker. Hang them around the house for a spooky atmosphere!
- Spider Webs: Use black yarn or string to create spider webs. Add plastic spiders for extra spookiness.
- Paper Plate Masks: Use paper plates, markers, and craft supplies to make masks of ghosts, witches, or monsters.
- Playdough: Make some colorful Halloween playdough in just minutes with this easy microwave recipe. Use Kool-Aid to add bright colors and fun scents for a sensory play activity.
Decorate Together
Start a tradition of decorating the house together each Halloween! Make simple homemade decorations, like spider webs, paper-cutout bats, or a “BOO!” sign for the door.
- Create a playlist of kid-friendly Halloween songs (like “Monster Mash” or “Ghostbusters”) to enjoy while decorating.
- Turn the playlist into a Dance party, complete with glow sticks.
When it’s bath time, have the kids take the glow sticks in with them for some spooky fun!
Halloween Jokes
Here are some fun Halloween jokes to share with your kids.
Q: What does Dracula play baseball with?
A: A Vampire Bat.
Q: What does a skeleton order for dinner?
A: Spare ribs.
Q: How do you mend a broken pumpkin?
A: With a pumpkin patch!
Q: What do you get when you drop a pumpkin?
A: Squash
Q: What is a witch’s favorite subject in school?
A: Spelling.
Boo Your Neighbors
This is a fun Halloween tradition that focuses on giving! Leave a small plate of treats at a neighbor’s door, ring the bell, and run away before they see you.
Costume Parade
Host a costume parade at home where the kids can show off their costumes. Play some fun Halloween music and perform silly skits or dances. You could connect with family or friends via video so everyone can join in the fun.
- Take an annual Halloween photo and display it each year. It is a fun way to look back at all the costumes over the years.
Trick-or-Treat at Home
Set up a trick-or-treat adventure around your home or backyard. Place small baskets or bowls of treats in different spots for your child to find. They’ll love the chance to wear their costume, and you can adjust it to their energy level.
Looking for more fun activity ideas?
Spooky Story Time
Create a cozy reading nook with pillows and blankets for storytime. You can even use Halloween-themed snacks like popcorn or apple slices while you read.
Halloween Book Suggestions
- Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson: A fun tale of friendship and adventure with a friendly witch.
- The Very Busy Spider by Eric Carle: A beautifully illustrated story about a spider’s determination.
- The Spooky Wheels on the Bus by Elizabeth Mills: One spooky bus goes rattling and shakes all through the town.
- Gustavo, the Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago: Gustavo is great at ghostly tricks but struggles to make friends because he’s shy. To overcome his fear, he shares his special talent with the other monsters.
- Big Pumpkin by Erica Silverman: A little bat uses cleverness instead of strength in this fun, not-so-scary Halloween story.
- Corduroy’s Best Halloween Ever! by Don Freeman: Corduroy is excited for his Halloween party! But he needs to pick a costume. What will he wear?
- Frankenstein Doesn’t Wear Earmuffs! by John Loren: A young trick-or-treater has the perfect Frankenstein costume—until he needs earmuffs! Families will enjoy laughing along with this fun Halloween story.
- Happy Halloween, Biscuit! by Alyssa Satin Capucilli: Join Biscuit on his first Halloween adventure! Lift the flaps to discover fun surprises as Biscuit and the little girl go trick-or-treating.
- The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams: A classic story that blends Halloween fun with a brave old lady.
Other Suggestions for Older Children (6+)
- The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy: This book kicks off a seven-part series about Mildred Hubble’s first year at Miss Cackle’s Academy for Witches, where things quickly go wrong as she makes mistakes and clashes with the teacher’s pet.
- The Story of Gumluck the Wizard by Adam Rex: This story follows Gumluck, a bumbling little wizard who wants to be a hero. Along the way, he meets a ghost with amnesia, an unpopular fairy, and a wise raven. In this magical tale, the smallest heroes often make the biggest impact.
- The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale by Jon Klassen: In this folktale, a girl finds a house with a skull inside. When the Skull is scared of a nightly visitor, the girl helps. The Skull is a quick, slightly dark read with striking illustrations.
Halloween Movie Night or Day
Start a tradition of watching family-friendly Halloween movies. Set up a cozy area with pillows, blankets, and snacks for a movie night of age-appropriate Halloween favorites.
- How about cozying up in Family Halloween Pajamas?
- Want to spark a conversation? After watching a movie, ask your kids questions like “What was your favorite part?” or “How would you feel if you met a ghost?”
Movie picks for a NOT TOO scary movie day or night?
Here are 10 Halloween movies for kids that keep the fun of Halloween without the fright. Some may be free to watch with Amazon Prime.
Don’t have Prime? Use my link to get your Amazon Prime FREE 30-day trial.
- Oscar’s Handmade Halloween (2+): A DIY Halloween Sesame Street special with nothing spooky.
- Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Monster Musical (3+): Light Halloween fun with music and problem-solving.
- Room on the Broom (3+): A friendly witch shares her broom with new friends in this gentle story.
- The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Halloween! (3+): The Cat in the Hat leads kids on a fun Halloween adventure full of costumes.
- It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (4+): A heartwarming classic featuring the Peanuts gang and their Halloween adventures.
- Spookley the Square Pumpkin (4+): A sweet story about a square pumpkin who learns that it’s okay to be different.
- Super Monsters: Vida’s First Halloween (4+): Celebrates Halloween with cross-cultural traditions and inclusivity.
- Sing: Thriller (5+): A fun Halloween nod to the classic “Thriller” music video.
- The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (6+): Disney tells two classic, slightly spooky tales.
- Toy Story of TERROR! (6+): Woody, Buzz, and friends go on a Halloween adventure with a few thrills and familiar humor.
Check out the complete list of movies at Common Sense Media.
DIY Costume Ideas
Sometimes the best costumes are the ones you can pull together with what you already have at home. These simple ideas are easy to make, fun to wear, and perfect for toddlers and preschoolers.
When Halloween is over, be sure to add the costumes to your child’s imaginative play bin.
Quick & Easy Costumes
Fast, simple, and made from things you likely already have at home.
Superhero
Use a solid-colored T-shirt and tie a blanket or towel around your child’s shoulders as a cape. Add a mask by cutting eyeholes in an old piece of felt or a fabric scrap. Let your child choose their “superpower” for an extra fun twist!
Cat
Black clothes are all you need for this costume. Cut out a simple tail from black fabric or paper and attach it to the back with safety pins. Consider using reflective tape to add “spots” to your cat. Draw whiskers and a little nose on your child’s face with eyeliner, and attach a headband with homemade ears (felt or paper). Check out these costume safety tips.
Ballerina
A leotard or T-shirt with a tutu makes a quick and easy ballerina costume. Tie a ribbon around the waist and pair it with bright leggings or tights. A small bow or headband made from fabric scraps finishes it off.
Farmer
Overalls or jeans, a plaid shirt, and a straw hat make the perfect farmer outfit. Add a small stuffed animal (like a chick or cow) in their pocket for fun. If you have rubber boots, those complete the look.
Chef
Grab a white button-up shirt, tie an apron around the waist, and add a paper or fabric chef’s hat (an oversized white bowl or tissue paper works, too!). Have them carry around a wooden spoon or whisk for a fun prop.
Playful & Creative Costumes
Great for kids who love to imagine, build, and create.
Painter
A plain white T-shirt makes a great “canvas.” Add splashes of washable paint or colorful paper dots for the paint-splattered look. A paintbrush or paper palette makes an easy prop, and a cap or beret adds a fun extra.
Scarecrow
A flannel shirt, jeans, and a straw hat are all you need for this costume. Tuck some straw (or yarn) into the sleeves and pockets. Draw a small patch on their cheek with face paint or eyeliner for a fun finishing touch. Choose your face paint carefully to avoid toxins.
Flower
Start with green or yellow clothes for the “stem.” Cut out petal shapes from paper or felt and attach them to a headband or hat to make a flower crown. A small watering can or basket completes the garden theme.
Bee
A yellow shirt and black leggings make a quick start for this costume. Add black stripes using tape or fabric, then attach simple wings to the back. Finish it off with a headband and pipe cleaner antennae.
Ladybug
Use a red T-shirt and black leggings as the base. Cut out black circles from paper or felt and attach them for “spots.” Add a pair of simple wings and a headband with pipe cleaner antennae for a quick, playful look.
Butterfly
Bright-colored clothes make an excellent base for a butterfly costume. Cut out paper or cardboard wings, decorate them, and attach them to the back with safety pins or Velcro. Add pipe cleaner antennae to a headband for a simple finish.
Dress-Up Favorites
A bit more creative prep, but lots of room for imagination and pretend play.
Robot
Wrap a cardboard box in aluminum foil to create a robot “body.” Cut out holes for the arms and head. Use bottle caps, old buttons, or paper to make control panels on the front. Let your child wear gray or silver clothes underneath for a complete robot look.
Astronaut
Use a white hoodie or sweatsuit and tape on strips of silver or gray duct tape for “gear.” You can add paper badges or logos and create a “jetpack” from two empty soda bottles wrapped in foil. Attach them with ribbon or yarn as shoulder straps.
Pirate
Use a striped or solid-colored shirt with dark pants or leggings. Cut the edges of the pants or a bandana to look frayed. Add a homemade eye patch using a piece of black felt and a string. You can also draw a mustache or beard with face paint and give your child a toy or paper telescope to carry. Choose your face paint carefully to avoid toxins.
Firefighter
Start with black pants and a yellow or red jacket or sweatshirt. Add strips of reflective tape or silver duct tape for the jacket’s “stripes.” A paper firefighter badge taped to the chest and a toy helmet (or one made from cardboard) make this an easy and fun costume for pretend play, too.
Safety Tips For Halloween
Halloween is an exciting time for families with little ones.
Whether your kids are dressing up, heading out to trick-or-treat, or helping hand out goodies, these reminders can help everyone have a fun, safe, and worry-free night
Costume Safety
- Visibility & ID: Choose costumes that are lightly or brightly colored, glow-in-the-dark, or have reflective tape to help your child stand out in the dark. Add some to their trick-or-treat bag, too. Considering adding a nametag with your phone number inside.
- Flame-Retardant Materials: Always buy costumes labeled “flame-retardant.” If you’re making your own, use nylon or polyester materials.
- Fit Matters: Make sure costumes fit well to prevent trips and falls. Avoid oversized accessories, high-heeled shoes, or long capes. If a jacket is needed, make sure the costume fits comfortably over it without compromising safety.
- Safe Accessories: Keep props like wands or swords short and flexible.
- Non-Toxic Face Paint: Instead of masks (which can block vision or breathing), opt for non-toxic face paint or makeup options to avoid any skin irritation.
🎃 Want to keep Halloween FUN and SAFE?
Check out Halloween Health & Safety Tips from HealthyChildren.org
Trick-or-Treating Tips
- Always Accompany: Go along with your child while trick-or-treating, whether it’s walking with them or supervising from a distance.
- Stick to Well-Lit Areas: Plan a route that includes well-lit streets and houses. Avoid dark alleys or unlit areas. Walk on sidewalks, not across lawns. Use crosswalks and always face traffic when walking on roads.
- Limit the Route: Stay within your neighborhood and visit homes you know.
- Light & Reflect: Carry flashlights with fresh batteries and use glow sticks as bracelets or necklaces.
- Walk, Don’t Run: Move from house to house slowly and safely.
🧝🏽🧙🏻 Have a toddler?
Candy Safety
- Inspect Treats: After trick-or-treating, go through the candy together. Discard anything unwrapped, homemade (unless you know who made it), or suspicious.
- Avoid Choking Hazards: Don’t give hard candy or gum to young children.
- Discuss Moderation: Remind your child that while treats are fun, it’s important to enjoy them in moderation to keep their tummies happy. Let kids enjoy a few treats, then store the rest out of reach.
- Hygiene: Have kids wash their hands before eating and brush their teeth after.
🍬 Do your kids have food allergies?
At-Home Safety
- Clear Walkways and Lawns: Remove tripping hazards like cords, decorations, or toys.
- Outdoor Lighting: Keep outdoor lights on and light the walkway to your door.
- Secure Pets: Keep family pets away from trick-or-treaters, even if they seem friendly.
🏡Want more ideas to keep your home safe for visiting trick-or-treaters?
Giving and Receiving Halloween Treats
- Non-candy treats: Include non-candy items like stickers, crayons, pencils, or small coloring books so all kids can join in. Explore these Fun Non-Candy Treat Options for Halloween
- Sealed snack alternatives: Consider sealed packages of raisins or dried fruit as healthy alternatives to candy.
- Candy storage: As you check what your kids bring home, keep candy in a central spot rather than in the bedrooms.
- Smart treat plan: Consider allowing a few extra treats on Halloween night and then set a simple plan for the rest of the candy. Offer one or two a day rather than leaving candy out.
💙Want to make Halloween fun for all kids this year?
Check out the Teal Pumpkin Project for easy, inclusive treat ideas!
Other Helpful Tips
- Local Resources: Check out local events or designated trick-or-treating hours in your area for safe options. Many local churches and organizations will offer “Trunk or Treat” events.
- Emergency Contacts: Save important numbers, like local police or poison control, in your phone in case of emergencies.
- Pedestrian Safety: According to Safe Kids Worldwide, the risk of children being hit by a car is higher on Halloween than on any other day. Review safe walking habits together before heading out.
👻 Looking for an easy way to remember all the Halloween safety tips?
As you explore these Halloween activities, I hope you find plenty of simple ways to celebrate. Use this page as a starting point for crafts, costumes, and traditions that fit your family’s style. Sometimes the best traditions are the ones that happen naturally.
Be sure to bookmark this page for easy ideas and inspiration throughout the season.
Sign up for our weekly newsletter to keep up with all our fun learning through play activities.