Tips for a Sensory Friendly Halloween

Halloween can be one of the most fun times of the year for kids… unless your child hates waiting… costumes… transitions… Looking for some sensory friendly Halloween tips? Don’t worry, Epicenter is here to help!  Ensure a fun and enjoyable Halloween for the whole family with these tips you can do at home to get ready for the fun. 

Prepare Ahead of Time

Help your child prepare for Halloween by: 

Create a visual story

Use pictures or drawings to show your child what to expect on Halloween. 

Read Halloween themed books

Read age-appropriate books that explain that monsters aren’t real and costumes are pretend. 

Show pictures

Take pictures of your house decorated for Halloween, your child’s costume, and other decorations or situations they may encounter. 

Trick-or-Treating Tips

Choose a sensory friendly Halloween costume

Have your child try their costume on before Halloween so they can start to get used to it. Allow them to play in it and do fun activities. This will allow them to associate the costume with fun! It’s always great to reinforce them wearing their costume as well. Give them a special treat while they wear it or give them social praise!

Practice trick-or-treating

Have your kid practice knocking on the door and waiting. Slowly increase the wait time before opening the door so they can get used to not getting candy immediately.

Next have them say “trick or treat” or point to a visual if needed. This is a great time to have them practice asking for different items, and serves as built in motivation.

Consider noise-reducing headphones

If your child doesn’t like loud or certain noises, noise-reducing headphones or earbuds that play music might be helpful to lower the sensory input.

Make a plan

You don’t have to trick or treat the entire block. Have a goal of one-two houses. Sometimes it’s great to pick houses of relatives of friends to make the experience even less stressful. Be realistic in your expectations so you can have a successful sensory friendly Halloween!

Use a glow necklace or light up tennis shoes

Having a glow necklace or light up tennis shoes can help you identify your child more quickly. 

Wishing all a very Happy Halloween!