How cute is this little dude here? (Answer: quite cute.) If you have young kids, or just had kids, Halloween is a special time. Kids love Halloween — then they maybe grow out of it for a few years around teenagedom, and then they love it again in their 20s. It’s one of the best holidays because, no matter how old you are (3 or 30), it channels childhood: dressing up, having fun, sweets/candy, and general playfulness.
With the young ones, though, what are some fun things you can do to make their earliest Halloween memories stellar?
10 Ways to Make Your Baby’s First Halloween Special
Dress up your baby in a fun, cute costume!
This is obvious, and also a huge win-win for the parents. Why do I say “win-win” in this context? Well, first of all, the newborn/toddler won’t remember — until he/she sees pics years later, and by then it will be cute. So go all out here! Minions?!?!
The second win for the parents: if you use social media, and you’re OK with child pics on social media (this is obviously an issue of the modern age), you will absolutely dominate your friends’ thinking for at least 20 minutes to a full day. No one can resist a cute child in costume.
Here are 82 cute costume ideas, by the way.
Pumpkin Patch
Again, strong photo opportunities here. What’s more? It’s a good opportunity to begin introducing vocabulary around plants, vegetables, gardens, and the Halloween holiday.
Corn Maze
This is a fun thing to do with mom and dad. The newborn might not necessarily remember it, but it’s a good way to begin developing some problem-solving skills and even more vocabulary around fruits, vegetables, and other people.
Candy Shopping
Go candy shopping with mom! Explain what Halloween is, and how others will come and ask for candy. If you are unclear on the origins of trick or treating, read this. Show the newborn different types of candy and explain what each one is. On the night of Halloween itself, allow him/her 1-2 treats from the bowl (depending on allergies, etc.) Set up a situation — varies by parents/guardians — where candy can be used as a reward structure down the road.
Halloween Dinner Recipes
Here are 26 great ideas, including these “ghost pizza bagels:”
(If you can’t tell, all the goods on that 26 link will look like “scary” or “spooky” Halloween elements.)
Charlie Brown
Watch It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
Help give out candy
The newborn will be entertained, and other parental chaperones in your neighborhood will pine for the days of a toddler as opposed to a 10 year-old. Again, a win-win.
Fun activity: Make a fun parent-and-baby matching costume plan!
Be a Mother of Dragons for a fun Game of Thrones costume:
Turn that babywearing carrier into a Spider!
We love this cute Spider Web parent and baby costume:
Be a feminist icon
We love this matching Rosie the Riveter theme:
Secret service officers protecting baby presidents
If you want to get the dads involved and be fun…
Baby & parent Super Mario characters
Check out this 1980s video game throwback dad-baby combo, but mom-baby can work. Maybe with Princess?
The Sandlot matching costumes
SNL & Wayne’s World matching costumes
This mother-son throwback opportunity practically screams, “Party on, Wayne!”
Where’s Waldo stripes
Adorkable! But where is he?
What other fun Halloween traditions have you seen in your neighborhood or with your friends? Or tried with your kids? I’d love to hear!
Helpful tips from your team at Well Supported Family.
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