Tips for Celebrating Halloween as a Family

Halloween is a magical time for children and adults alike so it’s the perfect time to gather and get spooky together.

Halloween spending was expected to go beyond £1 billion last year but don’t worry if you don’t want to stretch your budget too far. Your options for ghoulish fun are endless, whether you’re dressing up together, hosting your own All Hallow’s Eve bash or crafting your own decorations.

Here are some tips to help you celebrate Halloween in a way that appeals to everyone, from toddlers to teens.

Create Family-Friendly Halloween Costumes

One of the best parts of Halloween is getting dressed up as a scary character. This gives you the opportunity to make DIY costumes together and create a sense of unity and excitement.

There are plenty of themes that can be adapted to suit kids of all ages, from superheroes and iconic movie characters to animals at the zoo. For small kids, costumes need to be comfortable and easy to move in, so onesies or capes are great options.

With older children, the devil is in the details so add accessories and makeup to bring their vision to life. Make sure to pick non-toxic face paints, especially for little ones with sensitive skin.

Halloween Crafts and Decorations

Crafting décor together is a surefire way to get everyone in the spooky spirit. Simple crafts like painting pumpkins or making paper ghosts and bats to hang around the house are achievable goals for younger children. Teens can create more intricate decorations like autumnal garlands or carve pumpkins.

You can give cobwebs, skulls and plastic spiders a spooktacular glow by stringing Halloween lights around and within your decorations. It will give your home the perfect ghostly atmosphere.

Plan a Safe and Fun Trick-or-Treat Route

Trick-or-treating is the highlight of the Halloween season, but safety is paramount when taking the children out. Planning your trick-or-treat route ahead of time, focusing on well-lit areas and familiar neighbourhoods will not only keep them safe but will lower your anxiety levels.

Stick to houses of people you know, or streets that are popular with families, and ensure our kids wear something reflective when walking after dark.

If you want to keep your children close to home, you could always set up a spooky scavenger hunt indoors or in the back garden.

Host a Family Halloween Party

If trick-or-treating isn’t your thing, hosting a family Halloween party is a great way to celebrate. Make it an event that family and friends look forward to all year by pushing the boat out with decorations and games that cater to all ages.

Spooky-themed snacks like monster cupcakes, witches’ brew drinks and buffet food are always crowd-pleasers. Add to the atmosphere with a Halloween playlist, mixing in some classic seasonal tunes to get everyone in the mood.