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.
