Creating a Sensory Friendly Halloween
(Written by Emily Thomas)
Halloween can sometimes feel like sensory overload. From uncomfortable costumes to sudden noises and spooky music, children running about and scary decorations, triggers may be hiding in unexpected places. On top of it all, trick-or-treating contributes to sensory overload. As a result, your child is likely hesitant to enjoy Halloween. But with a little planning and creativity, you can sidestep Halloween’s potential problems and make it an enjoyable experience for your child.
A sensory-friendly Halloween is a Halloween celebration that is adjusted to be less overwhelming for the senses. If your child has a sensory processing disorder or other greater sensitivities, they will likely prefer more relaxed environments or experiences. Creating a sensory-friendly Halloween experience can be a thoughtful way to include individuals who may have sensory sensitivities, such as those with autism or sensory processing disorders. Remember that every person's sensory needs are unique, so it's essential to be flexible and accommodating. By incorporating these following tips, you can help ensure that everyone can enjoy a sensory-friendly Halloween celebration.
Halloween Preview
Talk to your child about what happens on Halloween. Explain the process of “trick-or-treating” including what your child will be doing, noises they might hear, and lights that might flash at them. Find a video on YouTube, a movie or a book with pictures of children trick-or-treating, to show them what to expect. For first timers or advanced trick-or-treaters, using a social story to help explain what to expect on Halloween may be very helpful. Some children are concrete thinkers and need information on what steps come next. If your child knows what to expect for the evening, they’ll be less likely to have a negative reaction. Another suggestion is to practice trick or treating with your child before Halloween. It will give your child the opportunity to practice the conversations that might take place while trick or treating. First start with your own home, where things are most familiar. Work on ringing the doorbell, what to say/how to respond, and how to take the candy, that way they know what to expect and can learn the routine. Next practice at a family or friends house, where things are familiar. It’s much easier to practice on a familiar face than a stranger. Practice trick or treating at your own door and with close friends and family or friendly neighbors before Halloween. Ultimately, this will help your child gather a greater idea of what will take place on Halloween and feel more comfortable with the process.
Costume Practice Run
The costume…perhaps the most important step that you can control! Some costumes are scratchy, come with face paint that can be sticky or slimy, masks that smell funny, or other head pieces that can just be painful for kids with sensory issues. Take your child with you to the store to feel the costume and gauge their reaction when they touch the costume. For a child with sensory issues, these textures may be unbearable. Have your child try on all parts of a costume while you’re making it or before you buy it. Let your child wear their costume around the house a couple of weeks before Halloween so they can get used to the new sensations and you can find fixes to any parts that may irritate them before the big night. You can also layer the costume over comfy well liked clothing. Make any necessary adjustments to costumes for comfort. Opt for costumes that are comfortable and not too tight or itchy. Consider costumes made from soft, breathable materials and avoid masks or accessories that might obstruct vision or make breathing difficult.
Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating
Some individuals may prefer not to go door-to-door. Consider hosting a sensory-friendly Halloween party or attending community events designed for this purpose. Trunk or Treat options might be better for your child, or Halloween at the mall or at a church or community center, these events tend to be for kids of all ages, so it could limit the number of scary masks or decorations you encounter. A common sensory-rich component of Halloween is the crowds of loud children running around. If your neighborhood or street is a busy Halloween spot, consider driving to a close-by neighborhood that is less busy. Choose a way to go trick or treating that is a match for your child.
Create a Quiet Space
Going Trick-or-Treating earlier in the evening can be helpful, as it is often less crowded initially. Incorporating “break” times and designating a quiet, calm area where they can go if they become overwhelmed or need a break, can help sensory overload. Be aware of your child’s warning signs that they might be getting overstimulated. This space should be free from loud noises and bright lights, like your car or a quiet spot off the main trick or treating path. You can also include calming sensory tools like fidget toys or noise-canceling headphones to give them some sensory reprieve.
Make Your Own Halloween Traditions
When all is said and done, there is no rule saying you have to participate in any of these “traditional” Halloween activities. If they are too much, it’s simply too much! For some children, “trick-or-treating” may simply be too overwhelming.There are other ways to enjoy the festive holiday! Take it in stride and create your own Halloween traditions. Making it a pizza or game night, do your child’s favorite activity or craft, or even have a special parent only date to make the holiday special in another way. Host a Halloween party with one or two of your child’s friends, play fun sensory-friendly games, or invite friends and family over and have your child “trick-or-treat” from room to room in your house.
Limits and Expectations
Change your expectations as a parent - although there are strategies to make Halloween more sensory-friendly, it is equally important for parents to change their expectations, too. If you have a child with a sensory processing disorder, you may not have the traditional Halloween experience that you enjoyed as a child yourself. Pushing your child often leads to frustration and the opposite of fun. Therefore, it is crucial to know your child’s limits and adjust your expectations as a parent and focus on what your child is comfortable with.
Be a Sensory Friendly Neighbor
Offer a "no-contact" trick-or-treating option where children can pick up treats from a table, without interacting with strangers.
Use soft lighting, such as string lights or battery-operated candles, instead of harsh, flickering or strobe lights.
Minimize loud or sudden noises. For example, use recorded or quieter Halloween sounds or music.
Limit the use of fog machines, as the thick fog can be disorienting for some.
Remember that some children are nonverbal, so don’t wait for a “trick or treat.” Instead, ask questions that only require a gesture or head nod to answer.
Some children with sensory issues may find costumes uncomfortable or overwhelming, so don’t assume a non-costumed trick-or-treater is lazy or refusing to participate.
Provide alternatives to traditional candy, such as stickers, small toys, or non-food items, for those with dietary restrictions or sensory aversions.