Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Halloween as a First-Time Parent

There are many exciting firsts to enjoy as a new parent, from the milestones of your child’s first steps to the many holidays and celebrations you get to enjoy as a family. Halloween is one of those big days when you’ll likely want to go all out for your kids. However, before you spend your entire budget on spooky decorations and costumes, you need to have a strategy — and we've got you covered. This is the ultimate guide to Halloween for first-time parents. 

We’ll tell you everything you need to know about planning, strategies for trick-or-treating, and how to keep your expectations in check. Just don’t take things too seriously, and you’ll have a great first-time Halloween! 

Don’t Stress Yourself Out

The most important thing to remember when it comes to Halloween for first-time parents is that it’s easy to go overboard, but try to rein it in a bit. Plan the activities that you’re excited about, but keep your expectations in check. This first Halloween will be a cherished memory for you, but if you have a newborn or a very young child, they’re not going to remember any of it.

Not only that, but many young children won’t even understand the concept of Halloween. That doesn’t mean you can’t have fun — just don’t cause yourself to stress out when things don’t work out perfectly. 

Take Photos

Remember to take a lot of pictures. Even if things don’t go as planned, the photographs will solidify your great memories. If you like taking photos, then document the whole experience, from choosing a pumpkin to rolling the stroller up the first front door while trick-or-treating. 

There are also many fun photo shoot ideas you can try for Halloween. For instance, you can get a natural fall backdrop by taking photos at your local pumpkin patch. 

There is also the opportunity to take various types of pictures in your Halloween costumes. Get several different costumes and take pictures in each of them. You may choose to take a family photo with all of you in your costumes. Don’t forget to take a couple of before and after pictures of you and your child at the start and the end of the big day. Feel free to take a few videos as well.

Choosing a Halloween Costume

Whether you decide to go trick-or-treating or just dress up to take pictures, picking out a Halloween costume for your new child is one of the best parts. You’ll be shocked at how many costumes there are for babies and toddlers. 

Find an outfit that is cute and soft, and your child will likely love it. When looking for costumes, be aware of those with small parts that can pose a choking hazard. Be cautious of costumes that come with masks, as they can obstruct your child's breathing. Instead, consider non-toxic face paint if your child is a little older.

With that in mind, the sky is the limit when it comes to costumes for babies, including:

• Animals – lions, tigers, monkeys
• Superheroes – Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman
• Food – bowl of spaghetti, meatball, strawberry, cotton candy
• Characters – one of Snow White's dwarves, baby Shrek, a fairy, Yoda
• Professions – doctor, fireman, nurse, astronaut, cowboy 

If you’re super creative, you can even try making your own costumes. Just remember to take a picture so you can show off your handiwork!

Considerations for Trick-or-Treating

One of the highlights of Halloween is the chance to go trick-or-treating, but naturally, you need to be careful when you have a young child. It's okay to take it slow and treasure this time. In a few short years, your soon-to-be teens will be begging to go trick-or-treating without you. Here are some tips for when you go out that first year.

Keep Baby Warm

While every city is different, if your childhood is anything like mine was, then every Halloween ends up being chilly and windy. Even if the forecast looks promising, dress appropriately for the season. It may be a good idea to dress in layers. If you or your baby starts to get too warm, you can take off a layer and still be comfortable.

At a minimum, bring a blanket in case your kiddo gets cold. If you plan to go to a party or stay out longer, you’ll want to bring all the necessary supplies. Start with extra diapers in case there’s an incident. Don’t forget water, snacks, and any toys your child simply cannot live without in case they get fussy.

Head Out Early

If you’re concerned about it getting dark and cold or you just want to beat the crowds, then consider heading out early. Check the recommended trick-or-treating hours in your neighborhood and go as soon as they start. No, there won’t be a lot of other kids out there yet, but that just means more candy for you and more fun for your baby. 

Another tip is to keep your trick-or-treating short. You’ll be doing a lot of walking, so don’t go too far or you may become too tired to continue. This is an especially good tip if your child is old enough to walk. Even short distances can seem like a marathon when they’re walking on tiny legs, so keep that in mind.

Candy Considerations

Since the beginning of time, parents have worried about the danger of getting candy and treats from strangers, and that’s a healthy fear. Inspect the candy you get and take out anything you deem even mildly suspicious. Plus, use this time to sort the candy and remove anything that your child may be allergic to. 

You should not be shocked when you see your kid’s eyes get as large as saucers when they see all of the candy they’ve procured after a successful night of trick-or-treating. When this happens, a good tip is to tell the kids that they can eat as much candy as they want that first night. That way, you’ll avoid a potential temper tantrum if you only let them eat one treat. Don’t worry, your child is unlikely to go crazy and get sick. The odds are that they’ll be done eating after 2-3 pieces.

A good way to ensure that your kids won't go overboard on the candy is to give them a filling meal for dinner before you go trick-or-treating. A meal with protein, fiber, and healthy fats will be nutritious and satisfy their appetite. Then, they won't claim that they're “starving” when they see that bucket full of candy.

You Don’t Have to Go Trick-or-Treating

Halloween for first-time parents can sometimes be daunting because of the stress and worry about going trick-or-treating. It can be scary to think about pushing a stroller or carrying a baby with all of those other kids running around. The good news is that there are many other activities you could enjoy instead that will be just as festive and fun.

Attend Local Halloween Events

There are likely to be all sorts of Halloween events popping up when October rolls around, so see if any of them are kid-friendly. A pumpkin patch is always a fun idea. Your new baby is bound to love all of the different shapes and sizes of the pumpkins and gourds. Many pumpkin patches also have photo opportunities and even simple rides to enjoy.

Also, check if your local zoo or aquarium is holding a Halloween event. Many times, these fun places will have all of the usual animals, but there is typically a spooky theme. It's typically not too scary, and it will provide plenty of opportunities for fun photos.

Finally, look online for daytime trunk-or-treat events. If you're not aware, this is when communities or local businesses reserve a parking lot and decorate their cars or storefronts and hand out candy. It's always a fun time, and there's plenty of candy to gather. Best of all, it's all in one spot, so you don't need to worry about getting lost or hurt.

Simple Halloween Activities

Sometimes, Halloween for first-time parents doesn’t even require leaving the home. There are many great memories you can make at home. How about spending time on the couch while watching a “spooky” movie like Harry Potter or Casper the Friendly Ghost?” 

There are also many fun arts and crafts that small kids can make and enjoy. Many of them can be made using items such as balloons, paper plates, construction paper, and other materials around the house. You can create haunted hands, yarn pumpkins, toilet paper roll bats, ghost lollipops, and more. 

Finally, if you want to see the Halloween decorations around the neighborhood but you don't want to risk the rush at night, then put your baby in the stroller and take a walk around during the day. The decorations are just as amazing when the sun is out, and you'll get some exercise along the way. This is an exciting time for first-time parents to spend with their baby, so enjoy the holiday in the way that makes you happy! 

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Faces Portrait/Shutterstock.com