Tips for Fun and Safe Trick or Treating this Halloween

Tips for Fun and Safe Trick or Treating this Halloween

Halloween is becoming more and more popular in Australia every year. And it's easy to see why; dressing up as goblins, ghouls, and ghosts is fun for kids of all ages (even adults!).

As trick or treating becomes more popular as a Halloween activity, many parents have concerns about how to let their kids enjoy the activity while also staying safe.

Here are some tips for fun and safe trick or treating this Halloween.

Getting the costume

Fun: Getting the right costume is one of the most important things when it comes to making sure your kids have a good time on Halloween. Make sure you organise the costumes well in advance so that you don't have to rush around at the last minute, looking for anything that isn't sold out.

Buying Halloween costumes online makes this easy; you can make sure that your kids get to dress up as whatever they want. Getting your costume early will also give you the chance to make any alterations you need if the fit isn't quite right.

Safety: When you're looking for costumes, there are a few safety features that you should consider. Make sure that the costume won't get in the way of their eyesight or breathing and that they wear shoes that are comfortable and easy to walk in.

You should also check if the costumes are flame resistant since a lot of people might use candles in their jack-o-lanterns and other Halloween decorations. Remember that light coloured costumes will make it easier for motorists to see your kids, but who's ever heard of a witch who doesn't wear black? So a bit of reflective tape can be just as effective.

Trick or treating

Fun: Organising for your kids to go trick or treating in a group with their friends is a great way to make sure they have a good time. Depending on the area where you live, it might be a good idea to travel to a different area. Halloween is becoming more and more popular in Australia, but not everyone participates. Check with your neighbours and other parents to find out where the good areas for trick or treating are in your city.

Safety: Depending on the age group, it's a good idea to have a supervising adult with the group of kids while they're trick or treating. It's also a good idea to plan a route with the other parents in advance so that you know where the kids will be going on the night.

If you think your child is old and responsible enough to go out without an adult, make sure they stay with their friends while they are out and that they have a mobile phone so they can stay in contact.

Halloween goodies

Fun: The fun part of this is obvious: kids love treats and lollies. It's always fun for kids to bring home a big bag of loot, whether it's from Halloween, the Royal Melbourne Show, or other kids' birthday parties.

Safety: Remember, police have never documented a case of someone handing out poisoned Halloween candy to random trick or treaters, this is an urban legend. It's still a good idea to only accept wrapped Halloween lollies since people handing out homemade treats (unless you know them well) might not be very good or hygienic cooks.

You can still check your children's Halloween loot for signs of tampering for your own peace of mind, but the likelihood of anything being wrong is very, very small. The more important thing to do is make sure your kids don't eat all their lollies at once!