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Trick or treating with little ones especially for new parents is kind of like throwing your kid out there at the pack of wolves. You’ve got big kids left and right pushing and shoving, they are confused about taking candy from strangers, they are getting scared out of their wits and lastly, they’re out past their bedtime kinda like creating a worst-case scenario but if you plan it right, you can have a great experience.
Here are a few tips and tricks to have a successful trick-or-treat outing with toddlers.
1. Make sure they have gone potty.
This may seem like an easy one but you might want to have them make a double trip to the potty, before all the excitement and thrills. I actually had one of my children who has requested to remain nameless…lol, have a little accident on the porch of somebody who jumped out and scared them. They felt so horrible that they gave her a whole bowl of candy but still it did not make for a very comfortable rest of the trick or treating evening.
2. Know your trick or treating destination and your trick or treating route.
This will allow you to know if you need a stroller or if it would be best to go without. In my moms neighborhood, homes are few and far between so stroller would be absolutely necessary yet our friends neighborhood has very very close homes together and the sidewalks are so packed you could hardly walk so this would be almost too dangerous and a hazard to have a stroller. By knowing your route well you also know when it’s time to either turn around and how to get out of the maze of streets back to your car in a timely matter.
3. Bring an extra bag.
Inevitably every year one of my children put the hole in their back it doesn’t matter if I get them the durable nylon or canvas sacks. I probably could get them a sack made out of stainless steel and they would still manage to drag it on the ground and put a hole in it.
Nothing puts a damper on your outing than candy falling out from the bottom and you are trying to hold it and shove it in every pocket you have…..if you bring an extra sack just in case you will be ahead of the game for those unforeseen accidents.
4. Walk your toddler up to the house
I know this seems like a simple one and most parents probably do but surprisingly I see lots of little ones trying to go up the stairs to a strangers house to trick-or-treat while having a bunch of older children and preteens accidentally mow them over in the excitement… this will save you from lots of bumps and bruises.
5. Try to avoid peak trick or treating hours
In my experience, between 7 & 8 p.m. are going to be the busiest time to go trick or treating, which means more scaring, more kids running around. All this may be a little overwhelming for your little ones. If you’re able to go before 7 o’clock or even potentially wait till after 8 o’clock this would be the best time help your child to this new experience.
