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Sensory Friendly Halloween: A Guide for Parents of Children Experiencing Overwhelm or Anxiety

Halloween is an exciting time for children but can also be overwhelming or scary for

children who experience sensory sensitivities, feeling overwhelmed, or generalized or social

anxiety. For children who struggle with feeling dysregulated on Halloween, parents can plan

ahead to create a more inclusive and enjoyable holiday experience.


Children with conditions such as anxiety disorders, ADHD or autism spectrum disorder

may be more vulnerable to experiencing overwhelm or anxiety from an abundance of sensory

input on Halloween such as crowds, itchy costumes, or noisy parties or decorations. In this blog

we offer advice for parents on preparing for a more sensory friendly holiday.


Planning in advance:

  • Discuss Halloween plans with your child in advance so they know what to expect

  • Involve your child in picking activities or décor

  • Watch videos or read books about Halloween to familiarize your child with the upcoming holiday

Costume Selection:

  • Shop for or create costumes which are comfortable and non-restricting

    • Look for soft fabrics without many seams

    • Cut off tags which may feel itchy or irritating

  • Involve your child in costume selection and in trying on costumes to ensure a comfortable fit

Sensory-Friendly Decorations:

Create a cozy and inviting space in which to celebrate, incorporating calming elements.

  • Opt for soft dim lighting

  • If your child has a special interest or favorite character or show, use that as a theme for

Halloween decorations:

  • Set up a cozy corner with pillows and soft blankets (these may also be Halloween-themed) for your child to take breaks in as needed

  • Avoid startling decorations

Trick-or-Treating Strategies:

  • Plan a route in advance

    • Avoid popular streets and crowded areas

  • Go early in the evening to beat the crowd

  • Set a time limit for trick-or-treating in advance

    • Give a 5-minute warning before it’s time to go home

  • Have a calming transitional activity planned for winding down after trick-or-treating

    • E.g., coloring Halloween-themed coloring book pages, reading a story together, or taking a bath

Alternative Activities to Trick-or-Treating:

If trick-or-treating isn’t a good fit for your child, other options include:

  • Pumpkin picking at a farm or pumpkin patch

    • Aim for a less busy time of day

  • Pumpkin carving

  • Spooky or Halloween-themed movie night marathon

    • Opt for children’s movies/shows that aren’t too scary

  • Halloween-themed arts and crafts

  • A cozy Halloween party as a family or with a few friends

Candy Alternatives:

For children who are sensitive to sugar, parents may set a candy budget in advance. Alternative

options to candy include:

  • Fruit with fun dips

  • Baking and decorating lower-sugar treats such as zucchini muffins with Halloween-themed sprinkles or oatmeal cookies shaped like bats or pumpkins

  • Fun snacks like toasted pumpkin seeds or ants on a log

If your child’s feelings of overwhelm or anxiety become distressing or difficult to manage, a

clinician can support you in modifying your child’s routine and incorporating coping strategies to

support your child through Halloween as well as in their daily life. In conclusion, planning ahead

and modifying celebratory activities can help you and your child enjoy the holiday to the fullest!

Happy Halloween!


Sources:

1. Carpenter, K. L. H., Baranek, G. T., Copeland, W. E., Compton, S., Zucker, N., Dawson,

G., & Egger, H. L. (2019). Sensory Over-Responsivity: An Early Risk Factor for Anxiety

and Behavioral Challenges in Young Children. Journal of abnormal child

psychology, 47(6), 1075–1088. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-018-0502-y

2. Cheung, P. P., & Siu, A. M. (2009). A comparison of patterns of sensory processing in

children with and without developmental disabilities. Research in developmental

disabilities, 30(6), 1468–1480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2009.07.009

3. Ghanizadeh A. (2011). Sensory processing problems in children with ADHD, a

systematic review. Psychiatry investigation, 8(2), 89–94.

https://doi.org/10.4306/pi.2011.8.2.89

 
 
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