Spooky Fun for Little Ones: 10 Halloween Traditions Your Family Will Love
Hey love! 🎃
Is there anything more magical than experiencing Halloween through the eyes of your little ones? From the adorable costumes to the sweet treats, Halloween offers the perfect excuse to start new family traditions that your kids will look forward to year after year. Whether it’s their first Halloween or they’ve been trick-or-treating pros for a while, starting fun, Halloween-themed traditions can add some extra sparkle to the spooky season. ✨
If you’re like me, you love finding simple, fun, and meaningful activities that can become cherished traditions for your family. That’s why I’ve rounded up 10 Fun Halloween Traditions you can start with your littles this year. These activities are designed to create lasting memories, foster connection, and, most importantly, keep things stress-free while bringing all the spooky fun! Whether you're looking for something crafty, something sweet, or just some good old-fashioned Halloween magic, there’s a little bit of everything here.
So grab your PSL ☕️ (because, obviously) and let’s dive into some Halloween tradition magic!
1. Pumpkin Decorating Party 🎃🎨
Let’s kick off with a classic: pumpkin decorating! While traditional pumpkin carving can be a bit messy (and maybe not the best for tiny hands), pumpkin decorating is a low-stress, creative alternative. You can use paint, stickers, googly eyes, and even glitter (if you dare).
Set up a cozy crafting station with washable paint, fun props, and maybe some Halloween music in the background to set the vibe. The best part? These painted pumpkins can become your Halloween decorations! Plus, it’s an activity you can do year after year, watching your kids’ creativity evolve with every pumpkin masterpiece. 🎨
Why it’s a great tradition:
It’s a fun and easy way for your kids to express their creativity, and it doubles as a cute family bonding activity. It’s also a tradition that you can tweak as your littles grow, maybe introducing pumpkin carving when they’re a bit older.
2. DIY Halloween Countdown Calendar 🗓️
Advent calendars aren’t just for Christmas, love! You can make your very own Halloween countdown calendar to add a little excitement each day leading up to October 31st. Fill each day with mini Halloween-themed activities, like making spooky snacks, reading a Halloween book, or doing a quick craft.
You can easily create a countdown calendar with simple envelopes or small treat bags. Hang them up in your home, and let your kids open one each day. Inside, you could include small treats, stickers, or a note with an activity. It’s like adding a little bit of Halloween magic to their day!
Why it’s a great tradition:
It builds up the anticipation of Halloween while adding fun mini activities to the whole month. Plus, your littles will love the daily excitement of discovering what’s inside each envelope or bag.
3. Family Costume Night 👗🧛♂️
Who says you can only dress up on Halloween night? Create a family costume night a week or two before Halloween, where everyone gets to dress up in their Halloween costumes and have a mini celebration at home. You could make it a fun photo shoot, have a dance party, or just enjoy a cozy family movie night (with everyone in costume, of course!).
Not only does this give your kids more chances to wear their beloved costumes, but it also helps them get comfortable in them before the big night. You could even turn this into a yearly tradition where you have a themed family costume each year—matching costumes for the win! 🧙♀️🦸♀️
Why it’s a great tradition:
It’s a fun, low-pressure way to celebrate Halloween together before the main event. Plus, it gives you some adorable family photos to look back on each year.
4. Halloween-Themed Movie Marathon 🎬👻
Whether your little ones love Halloween or are still a bit wary of the spooky stuff, a Halloween movie marathon is a great way to celebrate together. Pick a few kid-friendly movies that are light on the scares but full of fun. Think Room on the Broom, Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, or even Hocus Pocus if your littles are old enough.
Make it extra cozy by serving up Halloween-themed snacks (popcorn with candy corn, anyone?) and let your littles snuggle up in their favorite Halloween pajamas. You can even make this a whole weekend tradition leading up to Halloween!
Why it’s a great tradition:
It’s a chill way to celebrate as a family, especially when you need a relaxing evening. Plus, everyone loves a good cozy movie night.
5. Halloween Book Tradition 📚🎃
If your family loves reading, why not start a Halloween book tradition? Every year, pick a new Halloween-themed book to add to your collection, and have a cozy reading session together. Books like The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt or The Spooky Wheels on the Bus are perfect for younger kids. You can even wrap the book up as a surprise and let your kids unwrap it before reading.
Make it extra special by reading the new book with your kids in a cozy nook, maybe with some pumpkin-scented candles or twinkly lights. Over the years, your Halloween book collection will grow, and you’ll have a treasure trove of stories to revisit each season.
Why it’s a great tradition:
It’s a calm, quiet way to bond as a family and makes for a relaxing bedtime tradition during the busy Halloween season. Plus, it’s a great way to encourage a love of reading!
6. Trick-or-Treat Practice Run 🍬🏠
If your little one is new to trick-or-treating, a practice run can help make the big night feel less overwhelming. Just like the Practice Trick-or-Treating blog post we talked about, you can set up a mini trick-or-treat session at home. Your child can practice knocking on doors, saying “trick or treat,” and getting candy (or a healthy snack!). 🧡
You can even make it silly by answering the door in different costumes each time or using an app with different doorbell sounds to mix things up. This practice run not only helps prepare your littles for Halloween night, but it also turns into a fun, playful memory that you can recreate every year as a “warm-up” for the main event.
Check out our extra special, blog post: How to Prep Your Toddler for Trick-or-Treating.
Why it’s a great tradition:
It builds confidence in your little one and makes the actual night of trick-or-treating much less stressful for both of you. Plus, it’s just plain fun!
7. Spooky Backyard Campout ⛺👀
Who says you need to go anywhere to have an adventure? A spooky backyard campout can be a fun and memorable way to celebrate Halloween without leaving home. Set up a tent in the backyard (or even indoors if it’s chilly), bring some cozy blankets, and tell fun (not-too-scary) Halloween stories.
You can make s’mores, serve up hot chocolate, and maybe even hang some glow-in-the-dark decorations around the yard. End the night by looking up at the stars and talking about the Halloween fun you’ve had so far. This one is perfect for families who love the outdoors and want to create a little Halloween magic under the moonlight. 🌙
Why it’s a great tradition:
It’s a simple, cost-effective way to create a magical night that feels like a Halloween adventure without the hassle. Plus, camping out in your own backyard feels extra safe for younger kiddos.
8. Halloween-Themed Baking Day 🧁🍭
What’s better than sweet treats on Halloween? Making them yourself! A Halloween-themed baking day can be a new family tradition where you spend the afternoon whipping up fun Halloween-inspired snacks. Think pumpkin-shaped cookies, spider cupcakes, or monster Rice Krispie treats.
Let your littles help with the decorating (because toddlers and frosting? YES, please!) and create fun, spooky faces on the treats. You can even make a big batch and deliver them to neighbors as a fun Halloween surprise. 🍪
Why it’s a great tradition:
Not only do you get yummy snacks out of it, but it’s also a great way to spend quality time together. Plus, you can introduce your littles to the joys of baking while keeping it festive and fun.
9. Spooky Scavenger Hunt 🔍🧙♀️
For littles who love adventure, a Halloween scavenger hunt is a fun way to get them moving and exploring. You can hide small Halloween-themed items (like mini pumpkins, spider rings, or stickers) around the house or yard and give your kids a checklist of what to find.
For an extra twist, create simple clues that guide them to the next hidden item—just spooky enough to keep things exciting but not too scary for your little ones. This can be an annual tradition where the “hunts” get more elaborate as your kiddos grow.
Why it’s a great tradition:
It’s a perfect way to blend fun, creativity, and movement, keeping your kids entertained and engaged. Plus, it’s super easy to customize the scavenger hunt based on your child’s age or interests.
10. Halloween Family Game Night 🎲🧟♀️
One of the best ways to bond as a family is through game night—and Halloween is the perfect time to add a spooky twist to your family fun. You can either grab a few Halloween-themed board games, like Disney’s Haunted Mansion Game, or turn classic games into Halloween versions (think “Pin the Hat on the Witch” or Halloween Bingo).
Create some spooky snacks, dim the lights, and turn on some Halloween tunes to set the mood for a night of laughter, fun, and just the right amount of spookiness.
Why it’s a great tradition:
It’s a low-cost, low-prep way to have fun together, and it can easily become a beloved annual event. Game nights never get old, and adding a Halloween twist keeps things fresh and festive.
Why Start Halloween Traditions? 🎃
Starting new Halloween traditions with your littles is a great way to make the holiday feel extra special and create lasting memories. These traditions grow with your kids and give your family something to look forward to each year. Whether it’s crafting, baking, watching movies, or playing games, these simple activities help bring the magic of Halloween into your home in a fun and stress-free way. 🧡
So, what Halloween tradition will you start this year? Share your ideas in the comments or DM me—I’d love to hear how you’re making the spooky season extra special for your family!
Tea Time! ☕️
What’s your favorite Halloween tradition? Let’s chat in the comments below, or hit me up for a free call if you want more ideas for making Halloween fun and memorable for your little ones!
