Halloween Fun

For those who celebrate, Halloween is a fun and exciting time for kids. 🎃👻 🍭

But what do you do when your child is missing out on the fun? Whether staying home is necessary for the immuno-compromised, or an ill child is stuck in the hospital for treatment, this disappointing situation is common for many of our Friends of Karen families. All children deserve to  celebrate and enjoy the magic 🌟 of childhood. Friends of Karen Sibling Support Specialists strive to provide families with suggestions and interventions that are not only simple enough to execute but designed with the unique needs of ill children and their siblings in mind. Our Sibling Support Specialists want to empower parents/guardians and special grownups. Though we know that you may be tired and stressed, there is no shortage of love for your kids. You are the secret to childhood magic. 

Read below for some tips on how, with a bit of creativity and flexibility you safely can adapt Halloween celebrations.

🌟 If you are home 🏡 …

⭐️ Dress up! Consider dressing up with your children.  They get a kick out of grownups being silly. There isn’t a lot they can choose so let them choose their own costume. Have a photo shoot. Do a funny TikTok dance together. 🎭 💃 🤡 🦸‍♂️  🦖

⭐️ Trick or treat in your home. Go from room to room. Play hide and seek trick or treat. Hide candy like Easter eggs. Have a scavenger hunt. 🍭

⭐️ Make Art! Carve, paint or decorate pumpkins. Decorate your home. Make special treats. Setting the environment and getting creative establishes a vibe and is good for the soul. 🎨🎃

⭐️ Connect! Have a “snuggle party” = Comfy Pjs + Cozy blankets + 🍿 +  👻 🎥.🌟

If you are in the hospital 🏥…

⭐️Make friends with the Child Life Specialists and Art Therapists. They are great resources and most likely will have something going on or art and craft materials available.

⭐ ️ Dress up. It can be elaborate or as simple as drawing silly eyebrows and mustaches with eyeliner, making paper crowns or a creating a crazy hairstyle.

⭐️ Be silly! Try out funny Snapchat filters ( no need to post), play a Halloween mad libs, or look up corny knock knock jokes.

🌟If your child has limited mobility and/ or energy…

⭐️ Touch can be soothing and therapeutic. If safe to do so, you can do their makeup or give them a hand massage. 💄💆‍♀️

⭐️ Read to them. Halloween poems, books etc. No matter what age it is always nice to be read to. Reading forces us to slow down and brings empathy in our voice.📚

⭐️Make a sensory box. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Fill a bag/ box with different items for the holiday/ season: a mini 🎃, scented lotion or candle, pictures of costumes, plastic spiders etc. Sensory boxes promote relaxation and encourage reminiscing and verbalization.

Remember that it’s ok for your child/children to feel disappointed if Halloween looks much different than what they have been used to in the past. Validate their feelings, let them know you are here for them and offer up a positive. The script might look like this. . .

“ I know that you are disappointed about not trick or treating with your friends this year. I can understand that. It doesn’t feel good to miss out on fun things. I’m here for you. I also have some ideas on how we can still have fun together this Halloween. Want to choose one?” 

While we may not be able to “fix” everything, when a child feels heard and supported, they may become open to making new traditions and with that, wonderful memories with family.