Making Halloween Fun and Inclusive for Neurodivergent Kids

Halloween can be an overwhelming time for many children. There are scary decorations, loud noises, and unfamiliar routines. Even the bravest adults can remember a time when the ‘spooky season’ gave them chills. However, this season also brings with it opportunities to create fond memories with your family, whether it be at the pumpkin patch, on the hayrack ride, or sharing a fall walk to admire the changing leaves. While navigating this season with a neurodivergent child may at times feel overwhelming, many strategies can help to lessen challenges you may encounter.

Fun Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating

There are lots of different ways to engage in Halloween fun without trick-or-treating. Many of these activities can be personalized to each child and can help to ground them through physical stimulation. 

Here are some activities to get you started:

• Leaf Rubbing! - Go for a walk and collect leaves. When you are finished, place a piece of paper on top of your favorite leaves and rub them with crayons to reveal. 

• Create a fall sensory table! - Consider using some of these items: pumpkin seeds, small pumpkins/gourds, acorns, pinecones, cinnamon sticks, dried corn, + cups/scoops.  

• Make apple stamps! - Cut up an apple and dip the ends in paint to transfer to paper.

Look into daytime events in your community. Choose small local events such as trunk-or-treating or library story times to avoid large crowds.

Preparing for Halloween Night

Halloween Night comes with its own set of challenges. Children may find costumes and crowds frightening, and they can feel overwhelmed with faced with a new set of social challenges to navigate (e.g., speaking to strangers, knocking on doors, knowing when to say thank you). They may fear leaving their house after dark or not understand why people keep ringing their doorbell. If you find your child is sensitive to interruptions on Halloween, consider turning out your porch light or leaving a bowl outside your door to minimize disturbances.

Neurodivergent children may benefit from additional measures to help prepare for Halloween night. Many neurodivergent kids benefit from previewing or practicing what to expect. Talk through what Halloween will look like ahead of time. Use photos, videos, or a social story (Trick Or Treating Story - Autism Little Learners) to help your child visualize what to expect. You might even practice walking to a few doors or saying “trick or treat” together. Predictability helps children feel more confident and in control. Your child may also benefit from practicing coping tools and reviewing communication techniques. It may also be helpful to review safety skills to ensure your children stay safe while trick-or-treating. 

Sensory-Friendly Costume Tips

Many children who struggle with sensory issues may find traditional store-bought Halloween costumes to be uncomfortable. Many of these costumes come with tight elastic, rough fabric, or unusual dimensions that can be irritating to a child who is sensitive to textures. Consider using sensory-friendly Halloween costumes instead.

Sensory Friendly Halloween Costumes:

• Use soft character costumes (e.g., t-shirt costumes, onesies, or costumes made with soft/flexible materials).

• Pajama characters (who says you need to wear a batman mask and cape when you can wear your batman jammies instead?!)

• Get creative with transportation! 

  • If you or your child require or are more comfortable using the following items: (wagons, strollers, wheelchair, crutches, bikes, scooters, canes) think about finding ways to use this to your advantage. If you can safely decorate the object itself, consider adding lights, garland, cardboard or other decorative items to enhance the costume.

• Turn a comfort item into part of the costume!

  • If your child loves stuffed animals, consider costumes could be complemented by their favorite animal (e.g., a park ranger, a Disney princess, a magician).

  • If your child has a favorite blanket, consider working this into their theme (e.g., capes, wings, coats, ghost covers).

• Use noise cancelling headphones as both a strategy and a prop.

  • Headphone complementary costume ideas: DJ, pilot, musician/pop star, referee/sports coach, any character with horns/ears (you can add the character ears to the head strap of the earphones). 

Halloween can be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your child’s creativity and imagination in whatever way works best for your family. With a bit of planning and flexibility, you can create a holiday full of joy, comfort, and connection.