8 Tips for First Time Trick-or-Treating with Your Child

Halloween is an exciting time of year — especially if it’s your little one’s first time participating in the festivities. Get the most out of the night for your family by preparing for it in advance. Read below for our top tips on trick-or-treating with your child for the first time.

1. Plan Your Route in Advance

Depending on where you live, planning a route for trick-or-treating can mean very different things. Perhaps you live in an apartment and your options are to trick-or-treat in your building, your complex, or walk to nearby houses. If you live in a house, you might choose to visit only your immediate neighbors, or to explore a larger part of the neighborhood. Whatever route you choose, make sure to communicate with everyone in your trick-or-treating group so they know what the plan is – this will take away some uncertainties of trick-or-treating for the first time.

2. Consider an Easy Halloween Costume

For your child’s first time wearing a Halloween costume, opt for something low maintenance to help them be as comfortable as possible. Avoid bulky or complicated costumes that might be annoying or uncomfortable for your child to wear all night. Consider costumes like a mummy, cat, or ghost—all of which are adorable and practical. As your little one grows up, they'll have a blast trying out all sorts of wild and wacky costumes. For their first trick-or-treat, it's a good idea to take it easy and start with something simple and safe.

3. Prepare for Fall Weather

October can be cold and rainy in many parts of the United States, so it’s best to be prepared for all types of weather when trick-or-treating. Bring an umbrella and a coat or blanket to ensure you and your child stay warm and dry. Check weather forecasts in the days leading up to trick or treat night to ensure you bring what you need with you. Alternatively, if the weather is warmer, you may only need a light jacket for everyone. Plan for the weather in advance to save yourself the stress of turning back home mid trick-or-treat!

4. Bring a Stroller

When taking a longer route with first time trick or treaters, it may be helpful to bring a stroller. If it’s your child’s first trick-or-treat, they may not want to walk the whole night or at all. We recommend the Gaggle Odyssey Quad Stroller for your Halloween adventures, perfect for multiple children or travelling in a group. This stroller seats up to four children, fits through doorways, and has multiple large pouches (plus under-seat space!) for maximum storage potential. The Odyssey is a great option for both your children and for the bigger, bulkier items you may want to bring along with you — like treat bags, blankets, coats, umbrellas, and water bottles.

5. Consider Visibility at Night

Stay safe and visible even when it gets darker earlier in the evening. Before you embark on your trick-or-treating adventures, one fun option is giving each person in your group a glow stick with the same color. That way, you all stay visible and immediately recognizable to your entire group. Plus, glow sticks are fun, festive, and lightweight, so your little one won’t mind wearing it! A pack of glow sticks can be an inexpensive addition to a fun and safe nighttime trick-or-treat!

6. Stay Clean

Let’s face it — candy can be messy! Combine candy messes with being outside, and you’ll want to have something to clean dirty hands with. Bring hand sanitizer or wipes to keep everyone’s hands clean and safe. Grab a travel pack of hand wipes or a mini hand sanitizer to save space. If you bring a stroller with you, keep these items in the storage pouch or cupholder so they’re easy to use when needed.

7. Pack an Extra Trick-or-Treat Bag

Bring an extra treat bag (or multiple if travelling with multiple children) to keep from having to cut the night of trick-or-treating short. Bags can rip, become full, or get too heavy — it’s a good idea to pack a back-up just in case. Nothing expensive or over-the-top is necessary, even just an extra tote bag or pillowcase can potentially save the day for your child.

8. Stay Hydrated

The last tip to keep in mind while trick-or-treating is: stay hydrated. Bring a water bottle with you for when your little one gets thirsty, so you won’t have to return home for a drink when needed. For grown-ups, pack a warm thermos with tea or hot coffee — you’ll be grateful when you start to feel chilly later in the night!

We hope we’ve helped you prepare for your first night of trick-or-treating with your little one. Read more about first-time trick-or-treating at the following resources:

• Halloween Safety Tips | CNN Health 
• How to Trick-or-Treat with Your Child | VeryWell Family 
• 5 Things to Take Trick-or-Treating | Little Learning Corner

Have a safe and happy Halloween! 

-Child Craft