Halloween time is the epitome of scary. When you think scary, Halloween easily gets tossed onto the list. It’s the holiday that’s all about pulling pranks, dressing like villains, and tricking people for treats. Not to mention, the ghosts, goblins, black spiders, witches, and skeletons scattered across every yard. It can be a fun time but for some, the scary part isn’t so fun. If you’re all about Halloween but want to skip the scary aspect this year, here are a few tips on how to accomplish that.
How to have a not so scary Halloween at home
Keep it Simple
There’s no reason to always have to go all out when it comes to Halloween. Keep it basic, skip the trick or treating, and watch a movie with candy, while the kids are in their costumes. There’s no reason to have to go out and chance the kids getting scared and just wanting to go home anyways.
Have the Kids Trick or Treat in the House
In order to have more control of scary situations, have the kids go to each room in the house to trick or treat. Have different treats for each room. You can even make each door a different, cute theme with a little sign.
Talk to the Big Kids
Older siblings or friends can exaggerate when it comes to stories. Plus, it’s pretty fun for them to tell scary stories and freak their younger siblings out. Talk to them about dialing it back this year to keep the scary part out of it.
Give the Holiday a Different Name
Instead of calling it Halloween since all the scary stuff is connected to that name, call it something like Harvest Day. That way, it makes it sound happier and lighter while making it less scary and more approachable. You can also use that as a way to redefine the day and make new traditions.
Carve Pumpkins
Instead of cutting out scary faces, aim for cute and fun. Instead of carving pumpkins before the holiday, stay in and make it a tradition to carve pumpkins that evening. Carving pumpkins is a great tradition to hang onto and is easily diverted away from the scary aspect.
Have a Dress Up Time
Every kid loves dressing up as something or someone when it comes to Halloween. It’s everyone’s favorite part, no matter what age they are. Instead of choosing just one outfit, stay in and have a box of all kinds of random dress up items. For example, use dad’s shoes, mom’s sunglasses, etc. Put all the random items in a box and let them use their imagination and turn it into a beauty show of sorts. They’ll have a blast for hours and no one missed out on dressing up.
Cook Something Fun
Get the kids in the kitchen to cook something fun and delicious. My kids enjoy helping me out in the kitchen. They love it, even more, when they get to pick out something and make it. Make sure it’s something they can make mostly on their own so you’re not doing all the work. Try to keep it harvest-themed or fall themed just to stick with the season but not involving the scary aspects of the season.
If you are going out trick or treating here are some tips to keep you safe!
25 Comments
Alli Smith
September 21, 2018 at 12:10 pmI’m all for a not so scary Halloween! I don’t do a whole lot of decorating for Halloween and I participate in a Trunk or Treat party at our church. I enjoy seeing all the kids come by in their cute costumes and I always give out the best candy.
candy
September 21, 2018 at 12:20 pmHaving a not so scary Halloween sounds like a wonderful idea to me. Seems like more and more parents are going for the Halloween parties and not the trick or treating. They don’t want all the candy for one thing and it is just as much fun if not more with a party.
Amber Myers
September 21, 2018 at 12:20 pmI’d love to leave out the scary part, but my daughter loves it. Her costumes are usually frightening and she likes to startle me. We do carve pumpkins though!
Kita roberts
September 21, 2018 at 2:17 pmThis sounds perfect for when the weather doesnt cooperate. Here in Maine it can be snowy/sleety on Halloween, so a backup indoor plan is a must!
Nancy L
September 21, 2018 at 2:18 pmGreat tips for a not-so-scary-Halloween! I was never a fan of scary Halloweens. I never even watched a scary Halloween movie – lol. And I am absolutely loving the witch cupcakes – sooooo cute!!!! 🙂
Terri Steffes
September 21, 2018 at 2:19 pmI have never been one to love the scary part of Halloween. Not my style. I will dress up, but it usually something “cute.” Love those cupcakes.
Lauren Floyd
September 21, 2018 at 4:30 pmI love trick-or-treating! I have such happy memories of neighbors who go all out. I like a little bit of scary though. These tips seem great for a little one who may not be ready for all that yet.
Cheryl Eugenio
September 21, 2018 at 5:29 pmGreat tips! We also have young kids and we do try to keep it as non-scary as possible. Love the idea of cooking something fun!
Sarah Bailey
September 21, 2018 at 6:40 pmThese are some great ideas, I think Halloween can be what you want – scary, fun, silly – it’s about having time together and creating memories.
Chubskulit Rose
September 21, 2018 at 7:03 pmI don’t decorate for Halloween but I have a couple of artificial Jack-o-lantern and that’s about it. You gave me some more ideas with your tips.
Pam
September 21, 2018 at 11:09 pmMy kids were never easily frightened, but I’ve known a lot of kids who were! These are good tips for making Halloween less scary.
NYC Single Mom
September 22, 2018 at 11:15 amwe are past the Halloween decorations but I love the idea of making less scary for younger kids. You have listed very useful tips.
Lisa Favre
September 22, 2018 at 12:41 pmI am all about carving pumpkins! I think it’s a great activity with the little ones. Also, if they’re too young for carving, you can use stickers or permanent markers.
lisa charleston
September 22, 2018 at 12:54 pmThis is a GREAT POST! My kids no longer go out for Halloween anymore. We do however decorate the house and crave pumpkins, that’s the best part. I like how you say “trick a treat in the home”, great idea!
Estelle
September 22, 2018 at 1:07 pmThese are great tips for little ones. I especially like tour safety tips. My daughter is 9 and I keep a close watch on her and her friends when they go from house to house on Halloween. And no candy till I’ve inspected everything!
Ricci
September 23, 2018 at 6:21 amNow this sounds like a great alternative Halloween for kids who get scared easily! Great idea!!
Lia World Traveler
September 23, 2018 at 1:26 pmHalloween is my favorite holiday and these are some great tips to remove the spooky and preserve the fun!
Nellie Acevedo
September 23, 2018 at 10:46 pmYeah we definitely stay away from “scary” halloween stuff around here, I didn’t grow up with the scary stuff and I like that my kids aren’t either!
Ruth I.
September 24, 2018 at 2:48 amI like these ideas! We really do not celebrate Halloween but we want to have a little fun about it so I think I’ll cook some cupcakes and let the kids decorate it.
Mimi Green
September 24, 2018 at 3:10 amI absolutely hate anything scary. I love Halloween because I love to DIY up a costume. I’m only watching Hocus Pocus and Charlie Brown
Monique
September 24, 2018 at 9:00 amWhen my kids were younger, their school had a Halloween party where they did “trunk-or-treat” – trick or treating out of car trunks that parents tricked out for the occasion. I have to admit a few were kind of scary.
Ola
September 24, 2018 at 10:27 amHalloween is not one of my holidays. So this is, fortunately for me, something that I’ll never have to worry about. Playing dress up and cooking something fun is always a hit with children, no matter what time of year. I’m sure you’ll have a blast doing that with your little ones.
Elle
September 24, 2018 at 11:03 amWe don’t participate in Halloween festivities in my home. It’s not my thing and I don’t do alternate activities either. I do love seeing children out and about dressed in their costumes.
Karen Morse
September 25, 2018 at 5:29 pmHalloween doesn’t always have to be scary! I think these are lovely ways to celebrate Halloween in a fun and cute way! Love all your suggestions and I’m considering doing a not so scary Halloween this year!
Essence
September 27, 2018 at 1:42 pmGrowing up we couldn’t even celebrate Halloween but as an adult I dress up almost every year. I’m all for a non scary Halloween. Great post