Halloween can be an exciting time for your kids; they get to dress up as that superhero they’ve been constantly watching reruns for, and they get to run around asking for candy! Honestly, Halloween could be one of the funniest holidays to watch your children grow. However, Halloween can sometimes be a little scary, especially if it’s your first Halloween with your child going around the neighborhood.
Luckily, I’ve been down the Halloween road a couple of times (with my own kids, and my grandkids), and have learned different tricks to keep up my sleeve to have a fun and safe Halloween—and maybe steal a couple of pieces of candy after the kiddos go to sleep!
Know Your Stuff
If you live in a neighborhood where you don’t really know your neighbors that well, it may be a good idea to do some background checks on the neighborhood that you’re planning on trick-or-treating at with your kids. This may seem a little ridiculous, but it never hurts. One year while supervising trick-or-treating, we came upon a house that was shut and locked down because of a previous felony that was committed—why not avoid this by checking out the potential trick-or-treater houses you’ll be attending? Some of these background checks that you can survey are pretty detailed; so you’ll have a good sense of the neighborhoods you want to avoid, and one’s that you’ll love to go to. Focus on the people who are new to the neighborhood to cut down the costs.
After you check out the neighborhoods, and pick the one you plan on attending, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the layout of the area. Plan a route: this way you’ll stick to your plan, and know the way back home. Here are some quick guidelines to tell your kiddos before heading out:
- Stay close together
- Don’t run, especially across streets
- Don’t walk across anyone’s lawns
It’s always a good idea to plan a strategy if someone gets separated. Have a location to all meet at if something like this happens. One year I brought walkie-talkies for my grandkids, which turned out to be a great hit! It keeps everyone in the loop, and the kids have a great time with it.
Have Light
This should go without saying, but always bring a flashlight, or any type of reflective gear. There are too many accidents that could be prevented, simply by being well-lit around the area of your trick-or-treating.
If your child’s costume is “supposed” to be dark, maybe have them wear a pair of their light-up shoes, or a glow-in-the-dark necklace or bracelet and have them carry a flashlight with their candy bag. Not only does being well-lit light the way, but it helps other drivers see you.
The Right Costume
Having the right attire for trick-or-treating is a clear must. In this situation, being practical over being “cute” is the preferable. You don’t have to completely change the costume to have it be practical, but there are a couple of quick changes you can take to ensuring safety, and fun:
- Masks can be a little scary, so depending on your child’s age, try and stay away from these. Opt for Halloween makeup instead. However, if a mask is necessary for the costume, make sure they can see properly, and breathe!
- Make sure that the costume isn’t dragging on the ground; tripping and falling, especially in the dark, can be scary.
- Comfortable shoes, comfortable shoes, comfortable shoes!
- If the costume requires a prop, make sure they’re bendable; i.e. bendable swords, or wands.
- Dress warm! Many people tend to forget that it’s October, and it gets a lot colder at night than those summer months. Being warm can mean the difference of a fun night out, or a night filled with shivers.
Post Trick-Or-Treating
The recommended time to stop trick-or-treating is around 9pm. But depending on the age of your child, it could be a lot earlier. There are some neighborhoods that have kids trick-or-treat in the afternoon! If this sounds like a better plan for you and your child, opt for this route.
After getting home from trick-or-treating, plan on checking out your child’s candy before they dig into it. This is such an important step to take; you never know what could have been included with the candy, and it’s never a bad idea to take a peek at it yourself. Here are some quick things to look for:
- Any candy unwrapped, or that looks tampered with
- Any candy that doesn’t have a label on it (brand name, etc.)
- Any candy or goodies that seem homemade (cookies, brownies, etc.)
- Any candy that your child may be allergic to
While looking at the candy, follow your instincts. If a piece of candy looks suspicious or weird, throw it out!
By following these simple tips and tricks, you’ll be sure to have one of the best Halloween nights with your kids. Halloween night only comes around once a year; enjoy this holiday with your kiddos, and have fun!Halloween can be an exciting time for your kids; they get to dress up as that superhero they’ve been constantly watching reruns for, and they get to run around asking for candy! Honestly, Halloween could be one of the funniest holidays to watch your children grow. However, Halloween can sometimes be a little scary, especially if it’s your first Halloween with your child going around the neighborhood.
Luckily, I’ve been down the Halloween road a couple of times (with my own kids, and my grandkids), and have learned different tricks to keep up my sleeve to have a fun and safe Halloween—and maybe steal a couple of pieces of candy after the kiddos go to sleep!
Know Your Stuff
If you live in a neighborhood where you don’t really know your neighbors that well, it may be a good idea to do some background checks on the neighborhood that you’re planning on trick-or-treating at with your kids. This may seem a little ridiculous, but it never hurts. One year while supervising trick-or-treating, we came upon a house that was shut and locked down because of a previous felony that was committed—why not avoid this by checking out the potential trick-or-treater houses you’ll be attending? Some of these background checks that you can survey are pretty detailed; so you’ll have a good sense of the neighborhoods you want to avoid, and one’s that you’ll love to go to. Focus on the people who are new to the neighborhood to cut down the costs.
After you check out the neighborhoods, and pick the one you plan on attending, it’s always a good idea to familiarize yourself with the layout of the area. Plan a route: this way you’ll stick to your plan, and know the way back home. Here are some quick guidelines to tell your kiddos before heading out:
- Stay close together
- Don’t run, especially across streets
- Don’t walk across anyone’s lawns
It’s always a good idea to plan a strategy if someone gets separated. Have a location to all meet at if something like this happens. One year I brought walkie-talkies for my grandkids, which turned out to be a great hit! It keeps everyone in the loop, and the kids have a great time with it.
Have Light
This should go without saying, but always bring a flashlight, or any type of reflective gear. There are too many accidents that could be prevented, simply by being well-lit around the area of your trick-or-treating.
If your child’s costume is “supposed” to be dark, maybe have them wear a pair of their light-up shoes, or a glow-in-the-dark necklace or bracelet and have them carry a flashlight with their candy bag. Not only does being well-lit light the way, but it helps other drivers see you.
The Right Costume
Having the right attire for trick-or-treating is a clear must. In this situation, being practical over being “cute” is the preferable. You don’t have to completely change the costume to have it be practical, but there are a couple of quick changes you can take to ensuring safety, and fun:
- Masks can be a little scary, so depending on your child’s age, try and stay away from these. Opt for Halloween makeup instead. However, if a mask is necessary for the costume, make sure they can see properly, and breathe!
- Make sure that the costume isn’t dragging on the ground; tripping and falling, especially in the dark, can be scary.
- Comfortable shoes, comfortable shoes, comfortable shoes!
- If the costume requires a prop, make sure they’re bendable; i.e. bendable swords, or wands.
- Dress warm! Many people tend to forget that it’s October, and it gets a lot colder at night than those summer months. Being warm can mean the difference of a fun night out, or a night filled with shivers.
Post Trick-Or-Treating
The recommended time to stop trick-or-treating is around 9pm. But depending on the age of your child, it could be a lot earlier. There are some neighborhoods that have kids trick-or-treat in the afternoon! If this sounds like a better plan for you and your child, opt for this route.
After getting home from trick-or-treating, plan on checking out your child’s candy before they dig into it. This is such an important step to take; you never know what could have been included with the candy, and it’s never a bad idea to take a peek at it yourself. Here are some quick things to look for:
- Any candy unwrapped, or that looks tampered with
- Any candy that doesn’t have a label on it (brand name, etc.)
- Any candy or goodies that seem homemade (cookies, brownies, etc.)
- Any candy that your child may be allergic to
While looking at the candy, follow your instincts. If a piece of candy looks suspicious or weird, throw it out!
By following these simple tips and tricks, you’ll be sure to have one of the best Halloween nights with your kids. Halloween night only comes around once a year; enjoy this holiday with your kiddos, and have fun!