Get ready for a spooktacular Halloween with these easy, family-friendly ways to celebrate with your little ghouls.
By Ava Wilde
Ah, Halloween!
A time for costumes, sweets, and a bit of spooky fun. Though it’s not as big in Australia as it is in some other parts of the world, it’s still a lot of fun. Here’s your go-to guide for celebrating Halloween with the little ones.
1. Host a Backyard Movie Night
Who doesn’t love a movie night under the stars? Dust off the outdoor furniture and set up a projector for a Halloween-themed film. Choose something age-appropriate – think “Hotel Transylvania” or “Hocus Pocus” – grab some popcorn and snuggle up.
2. Spookify Your Home
Get the kids involved in decorating the house. You can keep it simple with cobwebs, pumpkins, and a few ghosts here and there. Try creating decorations from craft supplies you’ve already got lying around the house. You’d be surprised at how far a little creativity and some toilet roll can go.
3. DIY Costumes
Skip the store-bought outfits this year and make your own. Not only is it a great bonding activity, but DIY costumes allow kids to tap into their imagination. Cardboard, paint, and a little ingenuity can make for some pretty amazing get-ups.
4. Bake Spooky Treats
Enlist the help of your little sous-chefs to whip up some scary-good goodies. Think bat-shaped cookies, monster cupcakes, or a ‘zombie brain’ jelly mould. The kids will love getting messy in the kitchen, and you’ll all enjoy the tasty results.
5. Trick-or-Treating: The Aussie Way
While door-to-door trick-or-treating may not be common everywhere in Australia, there’s no reason you can’t do a scaled-down version. Team up with neighbours for a mini trick-or-treat route, or create a sweet hunt around your own home or garden.
6. Halloween Craft Day
Create a crafting station with coloured paper, stickers, and markers. Kids can make their own Halloween masks, cards or decorations. A crafting day not only spurs creativity but also gives you some fab decor to spookify your space.
7. Local Halloween Events
Keep an eye out for community events in your area. Many places host family-friendly Halloween festivals complete with games, costume contests and even pet parades. Check out your local council’s website for info on what’s happening near you.
8. Tell Ghost Stories
Finish off the day by gathering around and telling some ghost stories. Make them as silly or as spooky as you like, tailoring the chills to your kids’ age and scare tolerance.
9. The Pumpkin Ceremony
It’s not Halloween without a pumpkin or two. Carving might be a bit challenging for younger kids, but they can still decorate pumpkins with stickers, paint, or even glitter. Then, display your creations for all to see.
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