12 Tips for Toddler Trick or Treating

Halloween is right around the corner and the anticipation is in the air! But between the scary costumes, spooky decorations, and a bucket full of candy by the end of the night, Halloween can bring up lots of BIG emotions for toddlers (especially if this is their first). So today I am sharing my favorite 12 practical tips for toddler trick or treating to help keep this Halloween fun, safe, and memorable!

Table of Contents:

1. 12 Tips for Toddler Trick or Treating
2. Favorite Amazon Halloween Finds
3. Little Blue Truck’s Halloween
4. The Children’s Place Baby and Toddler Halloween Pumpkin Pajamas
5. Halloween Ghost Throw Pillows
6. Glaciart One Felt Balls + Ghosts Garland
7. Make Memories This Halloween
8. Frequently Asked Questions

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12 Tips for Toddler Trick or Treating

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Follow these easy and useful tips for trick or treating with toddlers this Halloween!

1. Try on the costume in advance

Choose the right costume for your toddler to make certain it’s the right one. If your toddler isn’t happy with their costume, no one will be happy. Making sure that your toddler’s costume not only fits, but is comfy (with room for extra layers) is so important. If your child is uncomfortable, the entire trick or treating experience will not be a positive one. Fun tip: if your child loves face paint, dressing up in their full costume (face paint and all) will really hype up the big day!

2. Do a practice run

Toddlers don’t usually understand Halloween or the expectations around trick or treating. Which is why doing a practice try of toddler trick or treating in a low-pressure way before the big day can help to set your child up for fewer surprises and more success.

3. Role play

Using toys to role play is a practical and playful way to teach your kids appropriate Halloween etiquette! Practice saying “trick or treat”, “thank you”, and teaching them how to take one piece of candy (rather than begging for candy), using their toys. This can teach them how to be a mindful trick or treater in a fun and teachable way as they grow up.

4. Explain Halloween in an age-appropriate way

Let’s face it, Halloween can be spooky. Help your toddler understand what Halloween is all about in a fun and friendly way by explaining to them that there can be both silly and spooky stuff about Halloween. Getting into the spirit by choosing a cute costume of their favorite character, hanging fun decorations, and carving your jack-o-lantern pumpkin, can help to make Halloween feel less scary and more fun.

5. Don’t create fear

Create a positive and fun Halloween experience for your young children. Skip the super spooky houses. Surround them with cute and fun costumes. Since kids can be scared of masks, avoid putting on a mask and jumping out at your child thinking it will be funny to them.

 6. Go before dark

We know that the dark can be scary for kids. Instead of waiting to go trick or treating once the sun sets, enjoy the friendliness of neighbors and fun decorations by heading out while it’s still light. Plus, it’s easier to keep track of your kids.

7. Make sure your child is visible

Halloween is the deadliest day of the year for child pedastrians. Always keep your kids in eyesight. Halloween can create lots of excitement and the desire to run around from house to house. Keep track of your kids by using reflective tape or a light up bracelets to keep track of them. Give them verbal and tangible markers of where they can walk to safely, for example, “stop at the next mailbox”.

8. Serve dinner before

Filling your toddler’s belly with a nutritious meal before heading out to trick or treat is key. By making sure your child isn’t hungry and only filling up on eating sugar will prevent belly aches, headaches, and meltdowns.

9. Don’t demonize candy

Set healthy limits that feel comfortable to you when it comes to Halloween candy. Avoid creating fear and control around candy during Halloween, instead use it as an opportunity to create connection and trust. When trying to handle Halloween candy remember it’s only one day a year so it’s not going to have a massive impact on your child’s overall nutrition.

10. Inspect candy before eating

Always check your child’s candy bag once you return from trick or treating. Look for candy that has been tampered with or is not in the original wrapper. Remove any candy that poses a choking hazard.

11. Plan transportation

Knowing how you plan to get around for the night of trick or treating is more important than you may think. Making sure your kids are comfortable, warm, and safe will make sure everyone is in their best state to venture out. Use your stroller, stroller wagon, or Tush Baby Carrier to save your arms when your toddler gets tired. The Tush Baby Carrier is great for travel too (think airports, hikes, amusement parks)! 

12. Adjust expectations

Trick or treating can make both you and your toddler tired or overstimulated. Like all things with parenting, be flexible. Set your goal to be a positive experience over a perfect experience.

Favorite Amazon Halloween Finds

Don’t miss out on our favorite festive Amazon Halloween finds! And if you’re looking for more ideas, check out our Halloween must-haves on Amazon.

Make Memories This Halloween

Halloween with toddlers can be both fun and exhausting. Remember to have fun and keep toddler trick or treating a positive experience, even if it’s only a short walk around the block.

Focus on making memories and keeping your toddlers safe and having fun! And if you’re still feeling overwhelmed, you’re surely not alone. Check out my toddler parenting classes to help ease any worries or answer any questions you still have.

Frequently Asked Questions