Halloween means costumes, pumpkin carving, and trick-or-treating. Traditions create lasting memories and give kids something to look forward to each year. Halloween is the perfect time to start new traditions with your family. Try some of these ideas:

Ready, Set, Decorate

Before trick-or-treating, everyone will need a costume. Have some fun by creating coordinating costumes for the whole family, or give your child permission to make their own using items from around the house. Since kids will also need something to collect their candy, try decorating a bucket, bag, or pillowcase. They can use the same one year after year and enjoy looking back at what they created, or make a new one each Halloween.

Prepare for trick-or-treaters by setting up a spooky atmosphere. Get the kids involved in decorating both the inside and outside of the house before Halloween. Make a scarecrow, change lightbulbs to purple or orange, and hang up homemade or store-bought decorations near the door.

Pumpkin Time

Pumpkins are a symbol of Halloween and fall, but before buying yours at the store, consider visiting a local pumpkin patch. Many patches offer apple cider, fall treats, corn mazes, hayrides, and a variety of pumpkin styles and sizes.

Once you’ve picked out your pumpkins, make carving more interesting by choosing a new theme each year. Ideas could include sports, cartoon characters, animals, words, or traditional spooky faces. Many templates can be found online to help get you started.

Fun and Games

Play Halloween-themed music while carving pumpkins, bob for apples, or make festive treats such as mummy hot dogs, witch finger pretzels, pumpkin-shaped pizzas, or caramel apples. Try bowling with small pumpkins, wrapping friends in toilet paper to make mummies, or playing “Pin the Hat on the Witch.”

Whether you invite friends over for a party or keep the fun within your family, your kids are sure to remember the extra effort you put into making the holiday special.

A Spooky Story

Kids love a spooky story. Parents can choose age-appropriate books or movies to set the Halloween mood, or make up original stories to share by candlelight. You can even host a spooky movie sleepover for the family or let your kids invite a few friends over to celebrate.

Give Back

Halloween can also be a time to give back to the community. Participate in a local trunk-or-treat, where families decorate their car trunks and hand out candy. Or try “trick-or-treat for hunger,” going door to door to collect non-perishable food donations for a local food pantry.

Many families also participate in the Teal Pumpkin Project by offering allergen-free treats or small toys so that kids with food allergies can safely join in the fun. Visit www.foodallergy.org for more information on the Teal Pumpkin Project.

Family traditions are easy to start and rewarding to continue. As your children grow, they may not remember every detail, but the traditions you repeat year after year will create lasting memories they will treasure for years to come.