Halloween is a frighteningly good time for little kids, but it can be a bit tricky for babies and young toddlers. If you are hoping for some trick or treat training tips for your little one this Halloween, here are a few ideas to keep your child calm and comfortable during spooky season.
Trick or Treat Training
Practice at Home First
Halloween is a big break in routine for most families. Even if you typically go for a walk, the excitement of the night makes things much more unpredictable. If your little one thrives on routine and repetition, try practicing Halloween first so they know what to expect and aren’t as spooked on October 31st.
For trick or treat training you’ll need a bucket or bag for candy and your child’s favorite baby doll as a trick or treat companion.
Pretend their bedroom door is a neighbor’s house. Wait inside their room with a pretend treat, like a small toy or healthy snack, and tell your child to knock from the hall. With your child on one side of the door and you on the other, your little one might experience a moment of panic. If they get that scary “I’m alone” feeling, tell them to squeeze their baby doll’s hand and remember that mommy and daddy are close by.
When you open the door, help your child practice saying trick-or-treat and give them a “candy.” Make sure they say thank you. Halloween is a great time to practice good manners. Each time you give out a treat and open the door, you can be a different character, use different voices, or even use costumes or props if you want. Anything to get your child giggling and excited about the holiday.
Plan a Route
Once your child has their trick or treat duties down pat, it’s a great idea to plan out a route for Halloween and practice it before the big night. Depending on their age and motivation, that route can be a few nearby houses, or it can encompass several blocks. Keep your eyes peeled for nicely decorated houses close by and begin to map out a good path that hits those must-visit spots.
If you have a longer route, make sure you give your child the opportunity to walk it once or twice to see how comfortable they are with the distance. You might have to make some adjustments to optimize their distance to candy ratio without pushing them too far.
Make sure baby doll is there for all the practice runs as well. They might not be able to eat candy, but they’ll definitely help your child feel more secure.
On Halloween
A Baby Doll Trick or Treat Companion
No matter how many times you practice your trick or treat training, Halloween will be very new to them. There are lots of sights and sounds, lots of spooky thrills and decorations, and it’s overstimulating for everyone, especially the littlest in your family.
Your child feels most comfortable in your arms because they don’t want to be alone. By giving them someone to fill their arms when they’re scared, like their cuddly sweet baby doll, they’ll be cuddle-close with someone all evening long and won’t feel so scared.
If your child is in their stroller, baby doll can nestle close by their side or in their arms and spend Halloween protecting your toddler from spooks and scares.
If your child is toddling through the streets, holding your hand as they walk from house to house, hold their candy bag and make sure their other hand grasps baby doll. That small touch will let them know that even when mom or dad releases their hand to let them knock or ring for candy, they’re not alone.
A Costume for Baby Doll
When baby doll comes trick or treating, they’ll need a costume. You can use some of the LullaBaby clothing, like the cozy brown bear Baby Doll & Cuddler Set, or you can make a costume yourself. The Pink Dress Outfit would pair well with a paper crown for a little princess.
You can even coordinate costumes so baby doll matches your child. If your little one is a cat, you can draw whiskers on your doll with washable marker, make cat ears from felt, and attach them to the doll’s headband. For more variety, check out the cat or small dog costume aisle at your local store and see if any of the spooctacular costumes fit baby doll.
Even if things don’t go as planned, at least you had fun trick or treat training together, and your little one will be better prepared for next Halloween. Remember, you’re doing great. Carve out some time this holiday for yourself too, because you deserve it.
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