Truth be told; we LOVE Halloween around here. But we also recognize that it’s not for everyone. Loud noises, sudden surprises, unfamiliar faces, and spooky yard displays can be a lot for kids to navigate, particularly our kids with sensory processing issues. Bucketloads of candy can feel crazy wasteful when we consider how all of those individually-wrapped plastics are affecting our environment (or bellies!). And for those with food allergies? Trick-or-treating feels so much more… complicated.
The good news is this: the season ahead can be just as special and exciting and new – without all that fluff. If you struggle with celebrating Halloween for whatever reason, might we offer you a few happy traditions to enjoy instead?
What To Do:
While your child is snoozing, gather a few oranges and a Sharpie to draw a Jack-o-Lantern grin on each! Place them by his/her breakfast plate for a happy Halloween surprise. Orange you spooked?
Why It Matters:
In homeschooling – and life! – surprise and delight are two of the most wonderful and oft-overlooked elements of learning. In our rush toward productivity or sheer exhaustion, we all need the reminder to pause and offer our children a simple spark of happiness to kick off the day with fun.
Bonus Challenges!
What else can your child transform into a grinning Jack-o-Lantern? Borrow our handy Jack-o-Lantern face here to let him/her cut out and tape to anything his/her heart desires (except, perhaps, the dog!). Can he/she spook a family member with his/her surprise?
Or, let your child make his/her own! Can he/she create a Jack-o-Lantern face using only triangles? How about squares? Circles? Which shape produces the BEST Jack-o-Lantern grin? Let the family weigh in over dinner! Then, finish off the fun with the classic seasonal picture book, J is for Jack-o-Lantern, by Brennan-Nelson Denise.
p.s. Want more festive alternatives to make the most of your fall? We’ve bundled 5 activities to enjoy with your kids aged 2-7 in our Harvest Week Bonus Pack— totally free! Packed with ideas that celebrate our natural world – and the people in it! – you’ll enjoy moon explorations, story shadow puppets, hide-and-seek acorns and so much more. Grab it here!