Helping Your Child Feel Ready for Halloween

Halloween can be exciting - but for many children, it can also feel overwhelming. New costumes, loud noises, unexpected visitors, and changes in routine can bring both joy and stress. Whether your child loves dressing up or prefers to watch from the sidelines, a little preparation can make the night feel more predictable, comfortable, and fun.

Talk About What to Expect

Start conversations early about what Halloween looks like. Read books, watch short videos, or look at pictures together of kids trick-or-treating or wearing costumes. Describe what will happen in simple, concrete language:

"We'll Walk to the door, say trick or treat!" and get candy. Then you can say, 'Thank you!' and go to the next house."

Visual schedules and social stories can also be really useful for previewing the steps and helping kids know what comes next.

Use Visual Supports

Halloween involves many steps - getting dressed, walking in the dark, visiting houses, and hearing new sounds. Visual supports help make it more predictable and less overwhelming, while also reinforcing the language and routines your child will use throughout the night. You can try:

• A picture schedule showing the plan: get dressed → walk → say trick or treat → get candy → go home.

• Visual cue cards for common phrases like “Trick or treat!” “Thank you!” or “Happy Halloween!” to help your child remember what to say.

• First/Then boards (“First knock, then candy”).

• A “feelings card” or break signal your child can use if they need space.

  
  

Practice Through Play

Play is a wonderful way to prepare! You can:

• Pretend trick-or-treat at home: Take turns knocking on doors and handing out pretend treats.

• Try on costumes early: Some kids need time to get used to new textures or masks.

• Use play to practice language: Say things like “Knock knock,” “Trick or treat,” “Thank you,” or “Yum!”

• Model flexibility: If your child doesn’t want to wear a costume, they can carry a small prop or festive accessory instead.

Support Sensory Needs

Halloween can be a full sensory experience - sometimes exciting, sometimes overwhelming. New textures, bright lights, loud sounds, and crowds can all feel like a lot. Preparing ahead and helping your child advocate for their own comfort makes a big difference. Start by noticing what your child enjoys and what feels uncomfortable. If your child is sensitive to textures, bright lights, or sounds:

• Choose soft, tag-free costumes.

• Bring noise-reducing headphones.

• Let them skip masks or makeup.

• Have a plan for breaks - sometimes just watching from the sidewalk is perfect!

You can also model and practice self-advocacy phrases so your child feels empowered to speak up, such as "No thanks," "I need a break," or "That's too loud." If your child uses AAC, signs, or visuals to communicate, make sure these options are easy to access and practiced ahead of time.

A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way

By combining play, visual supports, and self-advocacy, you can help your child feel confident and connected during Halloween. Whether that means visiting one house, handing out candy, or just enjoying the costumes from the comfort of your home - it all counts as success.

At Early Bird Speech Therapy, we believe every child should feel comfortable, included, and confident in their community experiences—holidays included!

Schedule a free consultation to learn how we support communication and connection through play, everyday routines, and special events.