Celebrating Halloween with the Grandchildren

Few holidays are as eagerly anticipated by kids as Halloween. Costumes, free candy, and parties, what more could a kid ask for? Some grandparents really love handing out the candy or walking their grandchildren while trick-or-treating.  During this fun-filled month, there are many ways to join in the fun with your grandkids and create special moments. 

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Below are some fun Halloween activities you can do during the spooky season with your grandchildren.

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Costumes:

This year some of the most popular Halloween costumes you’ll see walking around will be Eddie or Chrissy from Stranger Things, Elvis, The Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus, Bridgerton-themed outfits, and Top Gun-inspired costumes. 

It’s advised to order your costumes a few weeks in advance of the 31st, but in case you run into a pinch and your package gets lost in the mail, there are many fun DIY costumes you can make for your grandchild. 

A very simple DIY costume is a ghost costume.  All you need is a white bed sheet, a baseball cap, and a pair of scissors. To see how, check out this WikiHow article (https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Ghost-Costume). It only takes a few minutes, and the end result is an adorable little ghost.

Movie Marathon:

Halloween movies don’t have to be filled with blood and guts. Many classic Halloween movies are suitable for younger children to watch and enjoy. Movie titles such as Casper, The Night Before Christmas, The Adams Family, Goosebumps, and Hotel Transylvania are a few among many family-friendly spooky movies. So, grab your Halloween popcorn and cozy blankets and have a movie marathon with your grandkids.  (https://wearenotmartha.com/halloween-party-popcorn/).

Spooky Books:

In addition to Halloween-themed movies, there are good spooky books that are a great option for getting in the Halloween mood with your grandkids. The Goosebumps series is especially popular among elementary-age children.

Pumpkin Carving:

A fun activity to do with your grandkids on the days leading up to the 31st is pumpkin carving. All you need is a knife, a design template, and of course, a pumpkin. Start by putting down some paper towels or newspaper in order to contain the mess from the seeds. Then, cut a lid into the top of your pumpkin, make sure to set aside the lid for later. Scoop out the seeds and pulp with a spoon (make sure to set these aside as well in a bowl.) Next decide with your grandchild what design you’d like on your pumpkin. Some examples are a smiling face, a face with lots of teeth, or a cat. 

There are many free printable templates online for all different types of designs for your pumpkin. Outline your design with a black marker. Take a push pin or your knife and outline the drawn lines, then you can start cutting unwanted parts off.

 A smart tip you can use when you’re finished cutting out your design if you have petroleum jelly on hand, rub some along the cut edges of your pumpkin, this helps to prevent mold and bacteria from growing. To light the pumpkin, add a tea light or LED light to the inside of your pumpkin, then put your pumpkin lid back on. The last step is to set it outside and put it on display! For a more in-depth how-to visit: https://www.wikihow.com/Carve-a-Pumpkin.

Pumpkin Seed Snack!  When you’re finished take the leftover pumpkin seeds, wash them over and wash away any leftover pumpkin guts. Then, season the seeds with olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Roast in the oven at 300 degrees for around 45 minutes or until golden brown.  This is a super easy, and delicious snack for after!  Enjoy!

Trick-Or-Treating:

On Halloween night, when taking your kids out to trick-or-treat, make sure to abide by a few basic precautions.  Children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and seriously injured on Halloween than on any other day of the year. The lack of visibility and low light at nighttime contribute to this. 

You can put reflective tape on their costumes and bags, glow sticks on their wrists and neck, and use a normal flashlight. 

More Safety Tips: 

• Try to use nontoxic Halloween makeup instead of a mask, which can obscure vision.
• A responsible adult should also be with young children during their trick-or-treating rounds.
• If you have older children, make sure you’ve agreed on a specific time they should be home.
• Teach your children to never get into a stranger’s car or enter a stranger’s home.
• When trick-or-treating, kids and adults should keep electronic devices down and their heads up, especially when crossing streets.
• Advise children to not eat any of their collected treats until they’ve gotten home. In addition, be mindful of any food allergies.

Find more helpful tips at: https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/autumn-safety/halloween

Spooky Eats:

If staying home seems like a better option than facing crowds and the cold when trick-or-treating, staying indoors and baking with your grandkids is a very fun alternative. If kids are too young to know how to measure and follow a recipe, helping to stir and decorate the treats you make is just as exciting. Halloween treats especially, are very fun and creative. From cake pops with monsters and mummies on them, to cookies shaped like pumpkins, there is something for everybody.

Enjoy this fun holiday with your family and stay safe!!

Sources:

“A Grandparent's Guide to Halloween with Grandkids.” American Baptist Homes of the Midwest, 23 Oct. 2017, http://abhomes.net/blog/2017/10/23/grandparents-guide-halloween/. 

“How to Carve a Pumpkin: Easy Tips and Techniques.” WikiHow, WikiHow, https://www.wikihow.com/Carve-a-Pumpkin. 

Sues, Author: et al. “Halloween Party Popcorn.” We Are Not Martha, 20 Oct. 2021, https://wearenotmartha.com/halloween-party-popcorn/. 

wikiHow. “How to Make a Ghost Costume (with Pictures).” WikiHow, WikiHow, 23 Feb. 2022, https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Ghost-Costume. 

Laura DavisLaura is the Boston-based Editorial Apprentice here at Let's Eat Cake. When she's not writing. “These Are Going to Be the Most Popular Halloween Costumes for 2022.” Let's Eat Cake, 6 Sept. 2022, https://www.letseatcake.com/most-popular-halloween-costumes-2022/. 

Heritage Films. “The Best Halloween Activities Grandparents and Grand Kids Can Share.” Heritage Films, 18 Oct. 2018, https://yourheritagefilm.com/the-best-halloween-activities-grandparents-and-grand-kids-can-share/. 

“Halloween Safety.” National Safety Council, https://www.nsc.org/community-safety/safety-topics/seasonal-safety/autumn-safety/halloween. 

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