“Halloween is not all about the candy.
The fun is wrapped up in dressing up in costumes where no one recognizes you.
Knocking on stranger’s doors and signing up to be scared.”
I recently started listening to Julie Bogart’s audio book, Brave Learner, and was captivated by her enchanting description of Halloween.
It reminded me of the joy of tag; the joy is in the chase and the risk of getting caught.
In a season where Halloween will look different than previous years, I have been on the hunt to find ways to celebrate that will capture the true joy of the holiday. Breaking down what makes the holiday special to us has been helpful in moving forward in ways that will enchant my young boys.
My kids are homeschooled and so I further feel the weight of holidays. After all, our public schools are so good about all the festive crafts, themed stories and parties. They set the stage and anticipation way before the holiday arrives. This year there is one of me compared to past years of a department full of beautiful minds that have perfected these things. I rest in knowing I do not need to keep up, but I am thankful for the internet that is full of good ideas that are really simple to do.
If you want a few ideas, here is some of what we have been doing:
- We have worked to add spooky stories by candlelight at bedtime.
- Flashlight scooter rides to the mailbox after dark.
- We added pumpkin lights and spider webs to their bedrooms.
- Halloween playlists with dance parties mid-afternoon…or first thing in the morning…or any time that you are ready to just get the body moving (simply say, “Alexa play Halloween music”).
- We have been practicing our Halloween jokes and trying to get the punch line timed and delivered for fullest impact.
- Decorated pumpkins.
- Made Pumpkin Spice Playdoh.
- Baked Halloween Themed Cookies.
- Wrote Letters and Stamped them with Halloween Stamps (wax seals included).
- Made Puppets to our “Room on the Broom” Book and then watched the movie.
- Checking out the full moon at night (and Mars will be the close to Earth TONIGHT).
- I added a doorbell outside their bedroom that sings spooky things and an eyeball opens on being pushed.
Now, they like to turn out the lights and welcome you into their “creepy room” (their term for a haunted house). They like to throw their blankets over their heads and Oooo and Boo as they creep through the house as ghosts to scare their mother (yep, me!).
I try to keep it simple, but pack in the magic. By trial and error, I have found, the magic is found in the simplest moments; giving the time, permission, and space to let them be an important part and put their fingerprints on it. The more they get to participate and take charge the more magical they find it. It really is that simple.
The hard part?
Me remembering that it really is that simple.
