What if your child doesn’t like Halloween?

Centro Candil
Dec 24, 2025
2 min read

Halloween is often an exciting time: costumes, candy, games, and laughter. But not all kids feel the same way. Some get uncomfortable with costumes, loud noises, the dark - or they simply don’t enjoy this celebration. And that’s okay.

The most important thing to remember is that every child is different: they don’t have to love Halloween or participate in the same way as others. As parents, our job is to support them and find alternatives so they can experience the holiday in a way that feels right for them - without pressure or stress.

Tips to Support Your Child During Halloween

1. Validate their feelings

If your child says “I’m scared” or “I don’t want to dress up,” listen and respect their feelings. Forcing them will only make things harder.

2. Prepare them ahead of time

Before Halloween, you can read stories about it, watch simple cartoons, or take a short walk through a decorated store. This way, the unknown becomes more familiar.

3. Comfortable costumes (or none at all)

A costume can be as simple as a t-shirt with a pumpkin design or a small accessory. And if they don’t want to dress up at all, that’s perfectly fine too!

4. Create your own ritual at home

If your child doesn’t enjoy trick-or-treating, invent your own family tradition:

Watch a movie together
Bake cookies in fun shapes
Make paper lanterns
Go on a treasure hunt around the house

5. Let them join in their own way

Maybe your child prefers to hand out candy at home, help decorate the door, or tell stories instead of going out. All of these are valid ways to enjoy the holiday.

Halloween doesn’t have to look the same for every child. What matters most is that your child feels safe, supported, and respected. If they don’t enjoy the holiday, you can still create meaningful and special moments at home. At the end of the day, it’s not about the costume or the candy - it’s about sharing time together as a family.