It is Spooky Season once again, and Halloween is around the corner! Halloween is a time for fun, costumes, frights, and lots of lights. It is an extremely exciting time of the year, but for neuroatypical individuals, the stimulation can be very overwhelming. Since neuroatypical individual’s brains are wired differently, the lights, scares, and costumes can cause a sensory overload. Halloween can be inclusive for the neurodiverse population. There are many ways to celebrate Halloween that can be sensory friendly and enjoyed by all.
- Trick-or-Treating
- Noise Canceling Headphones–If the noises of the frights may be too much, using noise canceling headphones may be a great option for Halloween night, while out collecting candy.
- Costumes–There are many adaptive costume options available this year. Store like Target and Disney have options for individuals in wheelchairs. Halloween Express has costumes with different adaptive closures. The Living Well Mom blog has many options for individuals who would prefer a sensory friendly costume.
- Noise Canceling Headphones–If the noises of the frights may be too much, using noise canceling headphones may be a great option for Halloween night, while out collecting candy.
- Alternative Spooky Activities
- Visit a Farm–Visiting a farm is the perfect Halloween activity for the family. Check out this article that lists the best farm in each state! Many farms have multiple activities that capture the Halloween spirit. Try your luck in a corn maze or take the family on a hayride.
- Pumpkin Picking–While at the farm or at a pumpkin patch, pick out a pumpkin. Many of the Botanical Garden across the nation lay out pumpkins to be picked. Picking pumpkins is a great interactive activity for people of all ages!
- Halloween Crafts–Spend the day making Halloween crafts! Decorate the house with them or craft a costume to wear! Check out these DIY sensory friendly costumes.
- Visit a Farm–Visiting a farm is the perfect Halloween activity for the family. Check out this article that lists the best farm in each state! Many farms have multiple activities that capture the Halloween spirit. Try your luck in a corn maze or take the family on a hayride.
- Halloween Treats
- Allergies–Allergies can frustrate some Trick-or-Treaters. There are many snacks that may be appropriate for some allergies. The blog, Kids are a Trip, has an extensive list of allergy friendly candy. Making you’re on spooky snacks can keep the magic alive on Halloween.
- The Teal Pumpkin Project–The Teal Pumpkin Project is a movement that helps Halloween be inclusive for individuals who have food allergies.
- Make Your Own–Sometimes, nothing beats having a baking day, and making your very own spooky snacks. Taste of home has an impressive collection of spooky snacks you can make at home.
- Allergies–Allergies can frustrate some Trick-or-Treaters. There are many snacks that may be appropriate for some allergies. The blog, Kids are a Trip, has an extensive list of allergy friendly candy. Making you’re on spooky snacks can keep the magic alive on Halloween.
- Local Sensory Friendly Activities
- There may be events catered specifically to be sensory friendly in your area. Websites like EventBrite have listings for in-person events and remote ones. Chuck E. Cheese hosts “Sensitive Sundays” and has a Halloween themed on coming up. Sensory Safe Events also has a directory you can search.
- There may be events catered specifically to be sensory friendly in your area. Websites like EventBrite have listings for in-person events and remote ones. Chuck E. Cheese hosts “Sensitive Sundays” and has a Halloween themed on coming up. Sensory Safe Events also has a directory you can search.
Halloween can be a fun, inclusive holiday for all to celebrate. There are costumes, snacks, and activities for all, if we use a bit of creativity and inclusivity.
