Grammy on the Go
By Karen Shadrach
Halloween is a magical time of year, especially for kids. The excitement of dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating for candy, and enjoying spooky decorations and activities makes it a holiday that children eagerly anticipate. As a grandparent, you have a special opportunity to create lasting memories with your grandkids by taking them trick-or-treating!
One of the best parts of Halloween is the creative process of choosing (or creating) the perfect costume. Get in on the fun by helping your grandkids brainstorm ideas or even offer to help them make their own costumes. You could go classic with witches, ghosts, and superheroes, or get creative and conceptual. Consider their interests—do they love animals, space, or their favorite cartoon characters? Once you have a concept, get crafty! You might be surprised at how a cardboard box, some felt, and a hot glue gun can transform into an amazing costume. Make sure costumes are safe—avoid loose material that could catch fire and avoid anything with small pieces that could be a choking hazard. Add some reflective tape if you’ll be out after dark to make them more visible at night. Glow necklaces and bracelets can be purchased to further increase their safety. Don’t forget their pets! Children love to dress them up in costumes, too!
Of course, the main event of Halloween is trick-or-treating itself. Choose a kid-friendly neighborhood and make it an adventure by mapping out a safe and fun route in advance. Look for areas with a reputation for welcoming trick-or-treaters that have well-lit streets. Consider teaming up with other family members or friends to make it a group outing. Head out for trick-or-treating as soon as it gets dark or whenever your community begins their trick-or-treating time. This is usually when the most families are out, and it avoids the later hours when it might be darker and teens could be out playing pranks. As the night gets darker, bring out the flashlights to add to the spooky ambiance and also to light your path.
Always accompany your grandkids while trick-or-treating, and make sure they know not to enter anyone’s home or accept anything other than candy at the door. Teach them to say “trick or treat” and “thank you” when they receive candy. If older kids want to go off on their own with friends, make sure you know their route and they have a way to communicate with you. Inspect their candy at home, before letting your grandkids dig into their loot. Look for any open packages, homemade treats (unless you know the giver), or anything that looks suspicious. You could even offer to trade any unsafe candy for a few pieces of your own.
Consider a few extra touches to make the night truly unforgettable. You could have a special dinner at home, before or after trick-or-treating, along with some spooky tunes and a kid-friendly Halloween movie. Examples are a pizza with pepperoni arranged like a pumpkin face, or mummy hot dogs, made with purchased dough which you cut into strips and wrap around the hot dog. A favorite Halloween movie for us is the “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! “ Remember to take some photos to commemorate the night. If the kids are older, you could even set up a haunted house in your basement!
Trick-or-treating with your grandkids is a wonderful way to bond, create memories and experience the magic of Halloween through their eyes. With a little creativity and planning, you can make the night a true celebration of the magic and wonder of Halloween. So get out there and get spooky—your grandkids will thank you!
Photos by Karen Shadrach
