How to Have a Safe & Sensory Friendly Halloween
Photo from goodhousekeeping.com.
With Halloween just around the corner, it’s a good time to start preparing for this exciting holiday. The usual spooky festivities may already be difficult for many people with autism and sensory processing disorders. This year, a unique additional challenge is added with the stress of COVID-19 safety precautions.
In an effort to help the families in our community, we’ve made a guide for how to plan for the upcoming spooky celebration, whether you are staying at home or venturing outside.
TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR THE DAY
1. Talk to your child beforehand about what Halloween is
Introduce Halloween in a way that is understandable and engaging for your child. Explain that people across the world dress up on this day every year; it’s a day for people to get creative in their self-expression and have lots of fun. Consider using photos and videos as well, and tailor the conversation to your child’s interests.
2. Consider COVID-19 when making your Halloween plan
Halloween this year is going to look different than normal, and safety should be the first priority when making plans for the holiday. Read through the CDC’s holiday celebration guidelines and consider opting for safer activities, such as decorating your house or designing a candy scavenger hunt. If you do dress up, keep in mind that COVID-19 safety precautions, like wearing masks, may add another layer of stress for your child. Keeping your celebration in your home and with your family may help the day go both smoothly and safely.
3. Review your Halloween plan with your child
Will you be staying at home and making crafts? Or engaging in COVID-safe trick-or-treating? Regardless of your plan, discuss it with your child leading up to the day. Consider using a social story to help your child know what to expect. You can make your own customized for your child and your plans, or find pre-made ones here and here.
4. Pick a sensory friendly costume
Costumes can be uncomfortable and irritating, so it’s a good idea to take several steps to ensure that your child is comfortable while dressed up. Have your child wear familiar and comfy clothing under the costume, or even incorporate their regular clothes into the costume. Wash the costume beforehand to soften the fabric and remove any unfamiliar scents, and consider sizing up if your child would like to wear a compression or weighted vest underneath. Remove tags from clothing and avoid face paint and masks other than those for COVID-19 safety.
5. Practice wearing the costume
Have your child try on the costume before Halloween to get them used to it. This will also give you the opportunity to make any necessary adjustments to increase your child’s comfort.
6. If you are going out, practice the plan ahead of time
If you do plan on trick-or-treating, consider going to houses of neighbors who know you and your child. You can also practice your walking route and point out the houses your child will see on Halloween. Make sure to go over how to keep masks on and stay a safe distance from others.
7. Be flexible and have a backup plan
Especially if you plan on going out, be prepared and have a backup plan. Maybe you can return home and make some arts and crafts or watch a Halloween show while eating sweets.
8. Build in time for breaks
Even with all these precautions, Halloween can still be a very stressful day for some children. Remember to offer your child breaks and alone time. If your child is easily overwhelmed, it is also a good idea to bring along some calming tools, like a favorite toy or noise-cancelling headphones.
SUGGESTIONS FOR A FUN AT-HOME HALLOWEEN
1. Whip up some spooky treats
Who needs trick-or-treating when you can make your own sweets at home? Baking and arranging goodies is a great way to get the family together and to get your little ones using their hands. Design your own recipe, or check out the ones below:
2. Dive into arts and crafts
Another great way to get your hands dirty with your family is to do some arts and crafts. Decorate your home with your crafts after you make them to turn it into a haunted house. Click on this link to read about 15 of our best suggestions.
3. Plan at-home trick-or-treating or a scavenger hunt
Satisfy your sweet tooth with one of two super sugary options. Instead of going door-to-door in your neighborhood, try going door-to-door in your house. Make sure to place candy behind each door ahead of time, and go around your home knocking on doors with your child. Alternatively, design a candy scavenger hunt in your house by hiding goodies and sending your little one out to search for them.
4. Play some spooky games
Not only are the following Halloween-themed games loads of fun, but they’re also mellow activities great for children with sensory processing sensitivities. Get the whole family playing together!
5. Jam out to a super spooky playlist
Halloween wouldn’t be complete without some spooky tunes. Make your own playlist by starting with these suggestions. Have a dance party with your child.
6. Cozy up for a Halloween movie or show
Browse this list of kid-appropriate scary movies, and then snuggle up with your child and those fresh Halloween treats you made.
7. Host a virtual party
Reach out to family and friends beforehand and plan a virtual get-together on an online conferencing platform, like Zoom. Give everyone a chance to show off their costumes, and maybe even hold a costume contest.
8. Send spooky cards to friends or family
Arts and crafts are even better when you can share them with friends and family. Make a Halloween card, write a scary (or sweet) message and send it along to a loved one. Click here for some inspiration to get started.
TIPS FOR GOING OUT SAFELY
1. Make sure your child wears their mask properly
It is very important that you and your child wear masks while around others, but they can be uncomfortable for children with sensitivities. Read through our guide for adjusting your child to wearing a mask here.
2. Try incorporating masks into costumes
Even better than simply ensuring your child wears a mask is actually making the mask a part of the costume! Not only is this a safe practice, but you’ll also surely get bonus creativity points. Buy fun masks here or get inspiration for decorating your own here.
3. Avoid large gatherings, and see people outside and six feet apart
It’s inevitable that Halloween will not look normal this year, and that means staying away from crowds and looking for alternatives to trick-or-treating. Consider hosting a small outdoor gathering where guests can stand six feet apart and wear masks. If you decide to trick-or-treat, make sure to remain six feet away from others and do not accept opened candy.
4. Try your hand at “ghosting”
“Ghosting” means preparing a bag of treats and dropping it off at a friend or family member’s house. It’s a safe and sweet way to distribute your candy like usual.
5. Go on a neighborhood scavenger hunt
Prepare a list of items and decorations you might find in your neighborhood, like pumpkins and spiderwebs, and walk around with your child looking for them. Talk through what you’re seeing with your child, and encourage them to do the same if they are verbal. Make sure to have a sweet reward ready for the end of the hunt! Design your own hunt or use this free printable list.