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Spooky Time Is Nearly Here!

Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s such a magical time for our preschoolers. Kids at that age know the markers of Halloween: black cat superstitions, pumpkins carved with creepy faces, darker evenings and chillier air, costumes both simple and grand, and, of course, lots of free candy.

Our children’s excitement is palpable, and as parents and caregivers, we want to ensure their adventure is both fun and safe. We also want to assure those who don’t celebrate it that the holiday is highly malleable to their own sensibilities. You can forgo spookiness and make it all about autumn if you like. You can dress up as historical heroes and villains or characters from books and movies. You can even make it a service day by helping others in your community.

We’re big proponents of Halloween here at Creekside Kids. We think dressing up and adopting new identities is essential for children to decide on the kind of adults they wish to be someday. We recognize that although Halloween was originally a pagan festival called Samhain (pronounced saa·wn), it was co-opted as a Christian observance called All Hallows Eve during the time when the pagans were being converted, allowing the end-of-harvest traditions to pass into Christianity. And, of course, North American children have long served to secularize the holiday into a fun night of ghosts, silliness and a few scares– an examination of our fear of death and the unknown.

We want you, your family, and all those that you encounter to be safe and have a memorable, wonderful time this Halloween. Here are some valuable tips and reminders for different aspects of our Halloween festivities in Colorado Springs.

Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips for Parents

Taking your preschoolers on their trick-or-treating adventure is such a joy! Here are a few pointers to keep the evening delightful and secure:

Hide a Handy Cheat: In cases where the children are still building their walking legs day-to-day, consider incorporating a stroller into their costume. This will allow you to keep an eye on them while they enjoy their trick-or-treating. If your child is old enough to walk but not quite ready for the full-on candy hunt, consider using a wagon or stroller with a handle that can be pushed by an adult. This way, you can keep tabs on your little one and ensure they don’t wander off into danger.

Bright and Reflective Costumes: Ensure your child’s costume is bright or has reflective elements to make them visible to drivers.

Stay Together: Always accompany your little one, holding hands as you walk from house to house.

Have a Plan: Stick to familiar neighborhoods and plan your route in advance. Consider neighborhoods like the Old North End, where Halloween is celebrated warmly, and the community comes together to share candy and fun.

Check Candy: Before letting your child enjoy their treats, check each piece for tampering or allergies.

Road Safety for Drivers

As drivers on Halloween night, we have a responsibility to ensure everyone’s safety:

Slow Down: Drive slower than usual in residential areas, where children may walk or cross streets.

Stay Alert: Be especially alert during peak trick-or-treating hours, typically from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Avoid Distractions: Keep distractions to a minimum and be ready for sudden movements from excited children.

Hosting Trick-or-Treaters Safely

For those of us hosting trick-or-treaters, making our homes safe and welcoming is essential:

Light the Way: Ensure your porch and walkways are well-lit to prevent trips and falls. 

Clear Obstacles: Remove any potential hazards from your yard or porch that could cause accidents. Make sure lighting effects or automaton scares will not send kids into an unsafe place. Beware of causings scares at the top of a set of steps.

Safe Treats: Offer sealed, store-bought treats to ensure safety and accommodate various dietary restrictions. Candy Apples and Rice Krispy treats are fun, but even in a safe environment, they are (at best) unsanitary in a kid’s treat bag and (at worst) potentially dangerous.

Celebrations in the ‘Springs

If your neighborhood isn’t keen on Halloween festivities, Colorado Springs offers particular locations where everyone is welcome. The Old North End is particularly famous for its Halloween spirit, with friendly homes that go all out to celebrate. It’s a beautiful place to create lasting memories with your little ones.

If you have kids in your area, time to devote to the project, and lots of imagination, consider hosting a haunted house with many creeps and monsters for neighborhood children to conquer with their bravery. Check out HauntPay’s Top 5 Safety Tips For Your Haunted House for how to make a spooky event into a safe event.

At Creekside Kids, we are committed to fostering a safe, fun, and educational environment for our children. We hope these tips help you create a Halloween filled with joy and safety. Have a magical Halloween, and enjoy every moment of this delightful season with your precious preschoolers! If you’d like to discuss a place at Creekside Kids for your kids, we invite you to click this embedded link to schedule an appointment. Let’s get to know each other! Like us on Facebook to follow our stories for news and updates. We’re located at 1201 W Cheyenne Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, and we can be reached at (719) 635-9111. Our new hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. until 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.