Halloween has always been a bit of a mixed bag for me. As a Christian, I don’t feel comfortable leaning into the scary side of things, but at the same time, I don’t want my son to feel left out when he sees kids having fun with costumes and treats. Over the years, I’ve realized we don’t have to celebrate Halloween the way the world does. We can take the fun parts like dress ups, crafts, and treats, and make them our own in a way that feels wholesome, playful, and safe for little ones.
If you’re looking for non spooky, budget friendly halloween activities for toddlers and kids can enjoy, here are ten simple activities you can try. They’re all about laughter, creativity, and making memories with your family.
Dress Up Parade at Home
Kids love pretending to be their favorite characters. You don’t need fancy costumes, just use what’s already in the cupboard. Superheroes, princesses, animals, or even a chef with an apron and a spoon. Let your little one dress up and put on a parade in the living room. Clap, cheer, and take lots of photos.
Pumpkin Decorating Without Carving
Instead of carving (which is messy and not safe for toddlers), try painting or decorating small pumpkins. Stickers, markers, or even bits of colored paper glued on will do. If pumpkins are pricey, draw pumpkin shapes on cardboard and let the kids decorate those instead. It’s the process that matters, not the pumpkin itself.
Halloween Storytime Picnic
Spread a blanket in the lounge room or backyard, pack some simple snacks like apple slices, popcorn, or crackers, and read books together. Pick fun or seasonal books, maybe about animals, autumn leaves, or children in costumes. This makes Halloween feel cozy without leaning into anything spooky.
Candy Hunt
Hide a few wrapped lollies or small toys around the house or garden, just like an Easter egg hunt. Give your kids a little basket or bag and let them find the treats. It’s simple, exciting, and you can keep it very small scale to avoid sugar overload.
DIY Craft Time
Kids love making things. You could try paper plate masks, handprint pumpkins, or simple coloring pages. Even cutting out paper bats, cats, or stars can keep little hands busy. Craft doesn’t have to be perfect to be fun, and toddlers especially just love the mess and creativity.
Dance Party With Fun Music
Put on a playlist of kid friendly songs and let the kids dance around in their costumes. You can dim the lights and give them glow sticks or flashlights to wave around. It feels like a party, but it’s just at home with very little effort or cost.
Bake Something Together
Toddlers love being part of the kitchen. Make simple cupcakes, biscuits, or even fairy bread with orange sprinkles. Let them stir, pour, and taste test. It may get messy, but that’s part of the fun.
Nature Walk and Leaf Collecting
If the weather is nice, take a walk and collect leaves, sticks, or flowers. When you get home, you can glue the leaves onto paper to make autumn pictures. It’s a way to celebrate the season and keep kids connected with nature.
Sticker and Coloring Station
Set up a little table with stickers, crayons, and Halloween or fall themed coloring sheets. Kids can spend time decorating, sticking, and coloring while you sit nearby chatting or helping. It’s simple, cheap, and keeps them entertained without anything scary.
Movie and Snack Night
End the day with a family movie night. Choose a kid friendly film (nothing spooky, maybe a Disney or Pixar movie) and make a snack plate with fruit, popcorn, and a few lollies. Kids will love the cozy family time, and you can enjoy it too.
Final Thoughts
Halloween doesn’t have to be about scary costumes or things that make little ones afraid. With simple activities like these, it can just be another chance to celebrate creativity, family, and fun. For me, it’s about giving my son the chance to enjoy dress ups, snacks, and special time together without the dark side of the holiday. At the end of the day, what matters most is that he feels included, loved, and full of joy.
