-3.png)
Spooky Fun Made Simple: Sensory-Friendly Strategies Every Parent Can Use for Halloween
- Hannah Sides
- 5 days ago
- 7 min read
Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for kids – costumes, candy, and spooky fun everywhere! For many kids on the autism spectrum, Halloween can bring more “trick” than “treat.” The flashing lights, loud sounds, scratchy costumes, and unexpected surprises can be overwhelming. The good news? With a little planning and support, every child can enjoy Halloween in a way that feels fun and comfortable for them.
Here are a few simple, ABA-informed tips for a sensory friendly Halloween to help make your holiday less “AHH!” and more “Boo-yeah!"
See It, Say It, Try It! Getting Ready with Visuals and Practice Sensory Friendly Halloween
When our children’s routines stray from the usual, it can feel like their whole world is turned upside down (and, let’s be honest, sometimes ours too). During the spooky season, a little preparation can make all the difference.
Using visuals & practicing ahead of time helps your child:
know what to expect
ease anxiety
make the day more enjoyable for everyone
Visual Schedules Sensory Friendly Halloween
A visual schedule is a simple tool that lays out the sequence of events with pictures, symbols, or words – whatever fits them. Visual schedules promote predictability and independence by turning abstract routines into something your child can actually see (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2020) . Instead of guessing what’s next, your child can see it and know exactly what to expect.
Ways to utilize visual schedules:
Pictures | Drawings | Photos |
Include key moments like getting dressed in costume, walking to each house, trick-or-treating, and even the bedtime routine afterward. As you move through the day, your child can check off each step, building confidence and a sense of accomplishment.
Parent Tip: Before heading out, walk through the visual schedule with your child. Say something like, “First, we’ll put on your costume. Next, we’ll walk to the house next door.” Talking through each step (a strategy called priming) helps your child feel prepared and reduces surprises – making the night smoother and more enjoyable for both of you.
Roleplay Sensory Friendly Halloween
Roleplay isn’t just for dress-up or games like Dungeons and Dragons — it’s also a powerful way to help trick-or-treating (or any Halloween activity) feel less spooky. In ABA terms, roleplay means practicing a situation ahead of time in a safe, familiar setting (Sherman et al., 2021).
Taking a few minutes to practice knocking or ringing the doorbell, saying “trick or treat!” (if that’s attainable), and accepting or choosing candy helps your child know what to expect when the big night comes. This rehearsal builds confidence and reduces anxiety by showing your child what to expect—because they’ve already done it before!
Parent Tip: Make it fun. If your child thrives on imaginative play, lean into it! You can make roleplay natural and playful by switching roles (“You be the neighbor this time!”), using pretend candy, or even inviting siblings or friends to join in the fun. The goal is to turn practice into play.
Keep It Comfortable: Respecting Sensory Needs Sensory Friendly Halloween
Halloween can be a sensory overload—flashing lights, loud noises, crowded streets, and scratchy costumes galore. For some children, especially those with sensory sensitivities, all that excitement can quickly turn overwhelming. The good news? You can support your child’s sensory needs and still make the night magical.
Comfy and Confident: Let Your Child Pick Their Costume
Allowing your child to choose their costume honors their autonomy, encourages decision-making, and helps them feel proud of their choice. When kids get to dress up as their favorite character or animal, the excitement alone can make the experience more enjoyable!
Support your child by guiding them toward comfort-focused costumes – soft fabrics, tag-free materials, or lightweight options that don’t restrict movement.
Parent Tip 1: When in doubt, pajamas are a cozy win. Grab a cute onesie (think: a cat, dinosaur, or unicorn), print out a “Ty” Beanie Baby tag, and – boom – you’ve got an adorable plushie costume that’s comfy and creative.
Parent Tip 2: Check if your local stores carry adaptive Halloween costumes designed for mobility, sensory, or medical needs. For
example, Target offers an inclusive line of adaptive costumes with hidden openings and softer fabrics: Adaptive Halloween Costumes – Target.
Turn Down the Volume: Noise-Reducing Tools and Timing Tips
Crowds and unexpected sounds can make Halloween feel overwhelming for children with sensory sensitivities. Noise-reducing headphones or soft earbuds can help soften doorbells, music, and the chatter of trick-or-treaters – making the experience far more manageable (Ashburner et al., 2008; Pfeiffer et al., 2011).
If your neighborhood allows it, try going out earlier in the evening before it gets dark and crowded. Lower noise levels and fewer sensory demands can help your child stay calm and engaged (Baranek et al., 2006; Schaaf & Lane, 2015).
Parent Tip: Many communities now offer sensory-friendly trick-or-treat events during the day or in smaller settings – perfect for a lower-stress Halloween that still brings all the fun! Be on the look out for events called 'trunk or treat' which offers trick or treating from the trunk of cars at a local community event which can take away the stress on children of walking up to a strangers home and having to knock on a door.
Sensory-Friendly Fun: Decorations That Delight, Not Fright
Halloween decorations can be a treat for the eyes—or a little too spooky for
comfort. If your child is sensitive to flashing lights, sudden sounds, or animatronic jump scares, try walking your route ahead of time or looking at photos together so they know what to expect.
If traditional trick-or-treating feels overwhelming, bring the fun home with sensory-friendly alternatives:
|
|
|
|
These calmer, predictable activities still celebrate the Halloween spirit while helping your child feel comfortable and confident.
If it’s all too much, that’s okay too! Try offering festive alternatives all great ways to soak in Halloween without sensory overload:
|
|
|
Parent Tip: Offer your child choices, such as which decorations to hang at home or which activity to start with. When kids help create the plan, they’re more likely to feel safe, empowered, and excited about the celebration.
Reinforce Participation, Not Perfection
Good ol’ positive reinforcement – the strategy that rewards the behaviors we want to see more of! In simple terms, when something good happens right after your child participates, they’re more likely to do it again (Cooper et al. 2020).
When it comes to spooky fun, that means rewarding any participation, even if it’s just a small step – like wearing part of a costume, carrying their candy bucket, or walking up to one house. If your child loves sweets, trick-or-treating itself can be a built-in reinforcer. But don’t underestimate the power of social praise, high-fives, or even a simple, “I’m so proud of you for saying thank you!” Small, immediate reinforcement moments can go a long way toward building confidence and joy.
Parent Tip: Focus on savoring the moment, not perfection. Skip the pressure to visit every house or capture the perfect photo. Halloween should be enjoyable for the whole family, and sometimes the sweetest memories come from the smallest successes.
Teamwork Makes the Treats Work!
Halloween is all about community, and that means you don’t have to go it alone! A little communication ahead of time can make the night smoother and more inclusive for everyone.
Talk with neighbors or friends before the big night to share your child’s needs or preferences. You might mention that your child is nonverbal, needs extra time at the door, or might prefer to wave instead of saying “trick or treat.” Most people are happy to help once they know how!
You can also include siblings or peers as supportive models. In ABA, this is similar to peer-mediated instruction – where children learn social and communication skills by watching and practicing with others. Siblings or friends can model how to take turns, say “thank you,” or help guide your child through each step.
Parent Tip: Don’t be afraid to use visuals, a brief script, or even a “trick-or-treat helper” badge to let others know your child might need support. A little preparation can make a big difference in helping everyone feel included and understood.
Putting It All Together: Making Halloween Meaningful for Your Family
During this season of ghosts, ghouls, and sensory overload, remember – Halloween doesn’t have to be scary for your family. With a mix of preparation, compassion, and flexibility, it can become a meaningful opportunity for learning, connection, and fun.
Every child’s version of “participation” looks different, and that’s okay. Whether your child goes door-to-door, helps hand out candy, walks in the Halloween parade at school or just enjoys watching the costumes go by, celebrate those moments. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s joy.
References
Ashburner, J., Ziviani, J., & Rodger, S. (2008). Sensory processing and classroom emotional, behavioral, and educational outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 62(5), 564– 573. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.62.5.564
Baranek, G. T., David, F. J., Poe, M. D., Stone, W. L., & Watson, L. R. (2006). Sensory Experiences Questionnaire: Discriminating sensory features in young children with autism, developmental delays, and typical development. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47(6), 591–601.
Bateman, K. J., Wilson, S. E., Gauvreau, A., Matthews, K., Gucwa, M., Therrien, W., Nevill, R., & Mazurek, M. (2024). Visual supports to increase conversation engagement for preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder during mealtimes: An initial investigation. Journal of Early Intervention, 46(3), 197– 220. https://doi.org/10.1177/10538151241234567
Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson.
Pfeiffer, B., Daly, B. P., Nicholls, E. G., & Gullo, D. F. (2011). Assessing sensory processing problems in children with and without attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics, 31(3), 230–242. https://doi.org/10.3109/01942638.2010.541937
Comments