Halloween is just around the corner, and kids are always looking for ways to help with decorations around the house. Many parents welcome Halloween with open arms and are just as excited as their kids are about handing out candy, wearing costumes and scaring the neighborhood children down the street. If you want to get your entire family into the October spirit, try the following four fun ways to let your kids help with the holiday decorations.
Halloween Pumpkin Carving
It’s a Halloween tradition for nearly every family to go out together and get the best pumpkin they can find. Carving it on the other hand, is often left to the adults.
This year, try to involve your kids in the carving process. Ask them to first draw a design of their choosing for their pumpkin on a piece of paper. Then, take a black sharpie and draw the face onto the pumpkin itself.
Once the pumpkin is ready to be carved, make the first incision on the top and cut around the stem. Remove the stem and tell your child to remove the “brains” of the pumpkin. If it’s common in your household, save the pumpkin seeds for baking later.
With a child-safe carving knife, help them slowly cut around some of the easier markings on the side of the pumpkin. You won’t need to have them cut the entire thing, but they’ll feel good that they got to help start the carving process.
Once you’ve completely carved the pumpkin, place a candle inside and have your child safely light it.
Pet Costumes for Halloween
Halloween is all about family time, so if you have a dog, let your child choose a costume for it to wear on October 31st.
There are many different costumes for pets currently available, including superhero costumes, movie costumes and bug costumes. If possible, it might be fun for your kids if you can match costumes for the entire family around the costume that your dog wears.
Front Yard Halloween Decorations
Children always have wonderful imaginations, so this year let your kids help with decorating the front yard.
You can start by using some of the basic Halloween items that everyone uses, like fake spider webs with fake spiders, and skeletons that light up. If you want to take it up a notch, head to your local Halloween specialty store and buy a couple creepy decorations that are triggered by motion sensors. Orange and purple Halloween lights are also an affordable way to spruce up your front yard.
Try and take your kid’s ideas and make them come to life.
Create a Haunted House for Your Neighbors
You’ve probably been to a haunted house that was set up on one of your neighbor’s properties. With the help of your children, you can create an epic experience right from the comfort of your own home.
While this will likely take a bit more planning, the result will be well worth the work. Rent a fog machine, some specialty lights, motion sensor Halloween statues and creepy costumes for your family. Then, rehearse the flow of the haunted house, from the moment someone enters your home until the moment they’ve collected their candy and left.
If planned and executed properly, your kids will be thrilled and your neighbors will be impressed. Make sure you have enough candy for trick-or-treaters to last you through the night.
Inclusion is important for children, especially around Halloween and other major holidays. Listening to their ideas and letting them help with the decorations and preparation will bring immense joy to their lives.
