It's that glorious time of year again where everything becomes pumpkin flavored and the weather starts to cool. Halloween can be a fun and sometimes overwhelming holiday so we are going to look at some ideas of what to do for baby’s first Halloween. We’ll also look at some fun Autumn family activities to do too.
1. Get Dressed Up
Of course a super cute first Halloween outfit is a must and it’s fun to dress up the little ones too! You can even make a family theme for costumes! One year we were all versions of Spider-Man and another year we were all characters from Toy Story! Make it fun and don’t be afraid to join in on the fun! Make sure that the costume isn’t too hard to take off in case of a diaper situation! As a side note; halloween pajamas can also double as a costume and are super comfortable. They can also wear them for more than just one night.
2. Spooky Storytime
Check out your local library to see if they have any Halloween events. Often our local library does a fun Halloween themed storytime and maybe a little treat bag or craft! Check out a book while you are there and support your local library!
3. Zoo-time Fun
Another great place to check for Halloween events is the zoo! Some zoos offer trick or treating! Enjoy learning about and seeing all the animals while you show off your Halloween style. A lot of zoos also have wonderful Holiday lights displays also in the winter months.
4. Pick Your Pumpkin
Look for a pumpkin patch and you can pick out your pumpkin in the field. It’s a great learning opportunity for kids to see how and where pumpkins are grown. While you're at it see if there are any sunflower fields or apple orchards around too! Some of our favorite times are picking fruits and vegetables! You can also use those fresh fruits and vegetables and make homemade baby food.
5. Carve A Pumpkin
Okay this is obviously a mom and dad thing, but toddlers love playing in the ooey gooey pumpkin seeds! Just be careful they don’t chow down on them! Also you could do a super cute pumpkin photo session! Another idea if the kids are too little to carve pumpkins, is to use stickers or vinyl decals to decorate their pumpkins.
6. Decorate Your Home
This can be a fun activity for the whole family! You can decorate inside and outside your home with lights and decorations. Get some spooky spider webs to scare the ghosts (and the princesses a little too!)
7. Walk/Stroll The Neighborhood
Get some fresh air and show everyone how adorable your little one is! Of course you get first dibs on the best candy since the baby can’t eat it! You can also donate the candy to a local charity. Sometimes walking around on Halloween can be a little overwhelming for some little ones so go early (after dinner so they aren’t hungry) before the spooky costumes come out. Don’t forget your Baby’s Brew bottle warmer while you are walking the neighborhood!
8. Pass Out Candy/Goodies
After a nice stroll we like to go home and pass out candy. If your little goblin is old enough, let them hand out candy to the kids that stop by. We love looking at all the different costumes. If candy isn't your thing or you'd like to have some alternatives, we like to pass out snacks! Many kids have allergies and so having a different option for those kids is really wonderful. Besides candy, we usually have snacks like trick or treat size packs of goldfish and fruit snacks. We also like to have some non-food options also like little toys and Halloween pencils.
9. Trunk or Treat
An alternative to walking around the neighborhood is to attend a Trunk or Treat. Often put on by churches and local organizations, Trunk Or Treat events are a different type of trick or treating. Usually these events are more wholesome and have fun family activities. They are usually held in a parking lot and people decorate the trunks of their vehicles with different themes. Often you get to play a little game or do an activity to get candy or other goodies.
10. Family party
If you’d prefer to stay home and away from crowds this year, you could always stay home and have a little family Halloween party. There are some great Halloween movies that are fun for little ones! Then after bedtime, you could also have a spooky movie home date night!
Most importantly, don’t stress the small stuff! It’s just a silly holiday so if things don’t go exactly as planned, it's okay! There is nothing wrong with staying home and snuggling your sweet little baby!
FAQs
Q: When can babies eat candy?
A: According to the American Heart Association, kids are sweet enough just as they are! They recommend no extra sugar before 2 years old and limiting sugar intake for 2-18 year olds to less than 25 grams of sugar per day. www.heart.org
Q: How old does a baby need to be to trick or treat?
A: This is completely up to you! If you’d like to dress up your little one and take them around and show them off, go ahead! Just make sure that they are comfortably dressed for the weather and parents enjoy eating the candy that the baby can’t have yet.
Q: What can I give my baby besides candy?
A: Cereal puffs and yogurt bites are great for toddlers. Applesauce pouches can also be another option for homes to pass out to little ones not old enough for candy.
Q: Is added sugar bad for babies?
A: Yes, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, added sugar shows links to health issues like blood pressure, obesity and diabetes in children. There is no nutritional value to sugar. Sugar is also not good for dental health for babies and new tooth buds.
Written by: Kristen Bickel
Kristen is a mom of 4 and an employee at The Baby’s Brew.
