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After the Pumpkins Come Down

Helping Preschoolers Handle the Holiday In-Between

A peculiar little stretch of the calendar arrives every November. Halloween is over. The costumes have been put away, the candy supply is dwindling, and the pumpkins are beginning to look less festive and more like something that should probably be handled with gloves.

And just as the last pumpkin has its candle blown out, the stores begin inundating us with Christmas merchandise, holiday promotions, and reminders that the next big celebration is already on its way.

For adults, the transition is fairly straightforward. We pack up the Halloween decorations, start thinking about Thanksgiving, and plan the weeks ahead. For a preschooler, however, it can be confusing.

Yesterday, the neighborhood was full of pumpkins, costumes, candy, and exciting things happening after dark. Today, the decorations are gone. The candy bowl is empty. And the next big celebration seems to be somewhere in the distant future. Meanwhile, every trip to the grocery store brings another reminder that something even bigger is coming.

Children this age are still learning how time works, how to wait for something they want, and how to manage the disappointment that comes when an exciting experience ends. They may not understand that Thanksgiving is only a few weeks away, much less that Christmas is coming after that. They simply know that something wonderful has stopped happening, and something else seems to be taking forever.

This is where parents can help. Not by trying to replace Halloween with another celebration immediately, but by helping children find comfort, enjoyment, and a little predictability in the days between.

1. Don’t Rush to Replace Halloween

Think about how much anticipation goes into Halloween. Children talk about costumes, watch decorations appear around the neighborhood, visit pumpkin patches, attend parties, and hear adults discussing the big night. For weeks, the excitement builds.

Then, suddenly, it’s over. A child might ask when they’re going trick-or-treating again, insist that the Halloween decorations stay up, or become upset when a favorite pumpkin is thrown away.

Sometimes disappointment comes out as frustration. Sometimes it’s sadness. Sometimes it’s a seemingly unrelated meltdown over the wrong breakfast bowl. Remember that children don’t always have the words to explain what they’re feeling. What looks like an unreasonable reaction may be a very real disappointment.

Instead of brushing it off with “Halloween is over,” try acknowledging the feeling:

  • “You really loved Halloween, didn’t you?”
  • “It’s hard when something fun comes to an end.”
  • “You wish we could keep the decorations up a little longer.”
  • “I miss some of those fun things, too.”

Acknowledging disappointment doesn’t mean you have to change your decision or bring Halloween back. It simply lets your child know that their feelings make sense. And there’s no need to rush into the next big thing.

Children benefit from having time to process an experience, remember what they enjoyed, and gradually move on. You might look at Halloween pictures together, talk about a favorite costume, or let your child help put away the decorations.

You can even preserve one small reminder of the holiday if it makes the transition easier. Maybe a favorite pumpkin stays on the porch a little longer, or the costume gets put away in a special place for next year. The important thing is not to treat every ending as a problem to solve by immediately introducing something new.

Halloween can be over without the fun being over.

2. Give November Its Own Little Traditions

One of the most helpful things parents can offer during a transition is something children already know and can count on. That’s where routines and rituals come in. They are related, but they aren’t quite the same thing.

A routine is something we do regularly. A ritual adds a little meaning. Brushing teeth before bed is a routine. Reading a favorite story, sharing one good thing about the day, and giving a special goodnight hug can turn bedtime into a comforting ritual.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that predictable routines help children feel safe because they know what to expect. The American Academy of Pediatrics also recommends protecting familiar family routines during busy holiday periods, including regular sleep, meals, and opportunities to unwind.

For preschoolers, this doesn’t require a complicated schedule or a color-coded family calendar. It can be as simple as:

  • Reading a favorite book before bedtime.
  • Having breakfast together before getting ready for the day.
  • Taking a regular afternoon walk.
  • Singing the same cleanup song before putting toys away.
  • Having a special family dinner on Friday nights.

These everyday patterns provide a steady foundation when other things change. And November is a particularly good time to lean into them. After weeks of costumes, parties, special treats, and unusual schedules, returning to familiar rhythms can help children settle back into everyday life. But routines don’t have to be the only familiar things in a child’s week. Small family rituals can give November its own identity, without turning every day into another major event.

A few possibilities:

The First Cozy Friday: Pick one evening each week for pajamas, popcorn, and a family movie or story.

The Thankful-at-Dinner Tradition: Each person shares one thing they enjoyed that day. Keep it simple. A favorite toy, a good snack, or playing with a friend absolutely counts.

The Weekend Baking Project: Make muffins, cookies, or another family favorite together. Children can help stir, measure, and decorate.

The November Nature Walk: Take a regular walk to look for changing leaves, interesting rocks, birds, or signs of winter approaching.

Guess Who’s Coming to Thanksgiving?: Make a Face Match game of the relatives who will be coming in. This builds their excitement to see them come, and is an added treat for your guests when they’re recognized!

The Thanksgiving Countdown: Instead of focusing only on the big holiday, mark the days with small activities such as drawing pictures, making decorations, or choosing a family recipe.

These rituals don’t need to be elaborate. In fact, their value often comes from being simple enough to repeat.

The point isn’t to create another holiday that competes with Halloween. It’s to give children something familiar and enjoyable to look forward to.

And perhaps most importantly, it’s to show them that ordinary days can have their own special moments.

3. Be Careful What You Promise

Here’s where November gets particularly tricky. As children adjust to the end of Halloween, the holiday advertising machine starts warming up. Suddenly, every store has Christmas trees, every television commercial features a new toy, and every shopping trip seems to introduce another thing a child absolutely must have.

For adults, these are reminders that the holiday season is approaching. For young children, they can become a growing collection of expectations.

A preschooler may not understand the difference between seeing a toy advertised, wanting that toy, putting it on a wish list, and actually receiving it. The distinction between what might happen and what will happen is still developing.

And children can become very attached to an idea once they’ve imagined it.

If a parent says, “Maybe we’ll go see the holiday lights this weekend,” a child may hear, “We are definitely going to see the holiday lights this weekend.”

Then it rains. Someone gets sick. Plans change. Suddenly, the family faces a disappointment that might have been avoided with a little more careful wording. Try distinguishing between three kinds of plans:

We hope: We might visit the holiday lights this weekend.

It’s possible: We could make cookies if we have time.

We know: We will read our bedtime story tonight.

This may sound like a small distinction, but it gives children a clearer picture of what to expect.

It also helps to be thoughtful about how much holiday excitement children encounter. You don’t have to avoid every Christmas display or commercial, but you can limit the constant stream of advertisements and resist the temptation to turn every new product into something your child needs to have.

A helpful article from Fairfax County’s Family Services points out that relentless toy marketing can contribute to unrealistic gift expectations and long wish lists. Their advice includes emphasizing family traditions, making things together, and focusing on time spent with loved ones rather than simply accumulating presents.

The same principle applies to holiday activities. You don’t have to promise a trip, a party, a special toy, or a new experience every time something catches your child’s attention. You can say:

  • “That’s something we can put on your wish list.”
  • “I don’t know if we’ll be able to do that, but we can talk about it.”
  • “We’re planning to visit Grandma on Thanksgiving. We haven’t made plans for the weekend yet.”
  • “We can enjoy looking at the decorations without needing to buy everything we see.”

When something is uncertain, say so. When something is definite, make every reasonable effort to follow through. And when plans change, explain what happened in simple language.

“You were looking forward to visiting the lights. I’m disappointed, too. The weather isn’t safe for driving tonight, so we’re going to stay home. Let’s find another evening.”

Children won’t always like the answer. That’s okay. Learning that plans sometimes change is part of learning how to navigate the world.

4. When Things Don’t Go the Way They Hoped

Even with careful planning, children will experience disappointment.

The Thanksgiving craft doesn’t turn out the way they imagined. A favorite relative can’t visit. The family has to leave a gathering early. The promised dessert isn’t available.

These moments can be difficult, but they also offer opportunities to practice handling feelings. The instinct to make everything better immediately is understandable. Parents don’t enjoy watching their children feel sad.

But we don’t have to rescue children from every disappointment. Instead, we can help them work through it. Try a simple sequence:

  1. Acknowledge the feeling.

“You really wanted to make that turkey look different. You’re disappointed.”

  1. Give the feeling a little room.

You don’t have to offer a solution immediately. Sometimes children need a moment to be unhappy before they’re ready to consider what comes next.

  1. Offer a realistic choice.

“Would you like to try again with another piece of paper, or would you rather take a break?”

  1. Help them recognize what they can still enjoy.

“The craft didn’t turn out the way you wanted, but we can still make something together.”

The goal isn’t to convince children that everything is wonderful when it isn’t. It’s to help them discover that disappointment doesn’t have to end the entire experience. They can be disappointed and still have a good afternoon. They can miss Halloween and still enjoy November. They can look forward to Thanksgiving without needing every day between now and then to feel like a celebration. That’s an important lesson.

If you’d like to discuss a place for your kids at Creekside Kids, 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 hours of operation are 6:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Sources and Further Reading

 

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Finding the Magic Between the Holidays

 

From Halloween costumes to New Year’s fireworks, the holiday season seems to come with endless excitement—and endless to-do lists. For kids, it’s a stretch of glittering lights, countdowns, and big expectations. However, between those special days, it’s beneficial to return to normal routines and expectations, so the children are not overly stimulated.  Young children benefit from regular routines and rhythms.

While it’s tempting to keep the holiday spirit going strong, too much hype can sometimes backfire. When every day is a build-up to the next big thing, those big days can lose a bit of their magic.

Why the “In-Between” Days Matter

Children thrive on both excitement and consistency. The time between holidays is where they practice patience, creativity, and the art of enjoying simple moments. When life becomes one long countdown to the next holiday, it’s easy to overlook the joy in everyday moments.

By slowing down and finding peace and joy outside of the holiday rush, families can help kids build healthy rhythms and create happy memories that last long after the decorations are put away.

Simple Ways to Make the Wait Joyful

You don’t have to fill every day with holiday sparkle—small, creative activities can make the “in-between” days feel special on their own. Try a few of these family favorites:

  • Go on a nature adventure. Notice how the world changes between holidays—fall leaves, first snowflakes, the smell of pine trees.
  • Have a story night. Let each family member pick a book to read aloud by flashlight or candlelight.
  • Get creative just because. Set out art supplies and make something that has nothing to do with a holiday—paint, sculpt, glue, build!
  • Spread kindness. Bake treats for a neighbor, make thank-you notes for teachers, or find a small way to brighten someone’s day.
  • Celebrate a random Tuesday. Turn on music, have a dance party, or make pancakes for dinner—because sometimes the best memories come from unexpected moments.

A Season of Everyday Joy

The holiday season will always be full of excitement—but it’s those ordinary days in between that give children a sense of calm and balance. When families make room for simple joy all season long, the holidays feel even more special when they finally arrive.

 

At Creekside Kids, we believe the magic of childhood isn’t found just on the big days—it’s in the moments that fill the spaces between. 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.

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The Importance of Holiday Traditions

Image by KatrinDitrih from Pixabay

As the holiday season approaches, our hearts fill with joy, warmth, and anticipation. Autumn-Winter holidays like Thanksgiving, Chanukah, Ramadan, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s Eve hold a special place in our lives and offer us opportunities to create core life memories with our children. 

Did you know that holiday traditions are more than just joy and celebrations? They play a significant role in your child’s early learning and development, providing a sense of structure, fostering emotional bonds, and instilling important values.

Building a Sense of Family Structure

As parents, you play a crucial role in building a sense of family structure through holiday traditions. Whether it’s baking cookies together, sharing a meal, or decorating the Christmas tree, these rituals provide a sense of continuity and belonging, helping your children understand their place within the family.

Developing Emotional Bonds

Participating in family traditions is not just about the activities, it’s about strengthening emotional bonds between family members. When children see their parents and caregivers engaging in these special activities with joy and enthusiasm, they learn the value of spending quality time together. These shared experiences foster love and security, which are fundamental to a child’s self-worth.

Instilling Values and Traditions

Holiday traditions are rich with opportunities to teach children important values such as gratitude, generosity, and compassion. For example, we can involve our little ones in activities emphasizing thankfulness and giving back to the community during Thanksgiving. These lessons, embedded in joyful occasions, leave a lasting impression on young minds.

Encouraging Lifelong Memories

The sights, sounds, and smells of holiday traditions often become cherished memories that children carry into adulthood. These positive recollections contribute to a child’s sense of identity and family heritage, offering comfort and connection across generations.

One of the most priceless gifts we can give our children is a treasure trove of joyful memories. The sights, sounds, and smells of holiday traditions often stick with us long into adulthood. These positive recollections contribute to a child’s sense of identity and family heritage, offering comfort and connection across generations.

Ideas for Meaningful Traditions

If you’re looking to start or enhance your family’s holiday traditions, here are a few simple ideas:

Family Storytime: Select a special story you read together every autumn and winter. Collect seasonal books your family loves and establish a cozy reading-time tradition, complete with blankets and hot cocoa. Over time, your child will look forward to revisiting the story and its familiar characters.

Crafting Together: Create homemade ornaments or decorations. It’s a beautiful way for children to express their creativity while contributing to the family’s festive atmosphere. Get crafty with your little ones by making homemade holiday decorations. From handprint turkeys for Thanksgiving to homemade ornaments for the winter holidays, these crafts can become annual keepsakes you’ll cherish for years. 

Exploring Nature: Take a family walk to admire seasonal changes. Bundle up and head outdoors for a nature walk. Collect leaves, acorns, and other natural treasures in the fall to create crafts or decorations. 

Holiday Light Tour: Take a scenic drive or walk around the neighborhood to appreciate the twinkling lights and decorations during the winter. You can even turn it into a scavenger hunt for added excitement! Make this an annual outing with hot chocolate and holiday music to enhance the experience.

Advent Calendars: Manufacturers make Advent calendars for multiple holidays– there’s even a Halloween one. Each new opening of a door brings excitement and anticipation to your child’s day.

Gratitude Jar: Create a gratitude jar where each family member writes down what they’re thankful for. Share these moments of gratitude during Thanksgiving, preventing the need for your guests to conjure up what they’re thankful for when they’re on the spot. Remembering to use this jar throughout the year will teach your children the importance of appreciation and mindfulness.

Family Cooking Day: Dedicate a day prior to your family’s favorite holidays solely to cooking and baking together as a family. Preparing traditional meals or trying out new recipes can be a fun way to bond and create delicious memories. Plus, little hands can help with simple tasks, fostering teamwork in the kitchen. Cooking is an especially good medium for creating memories, as it combines wonderful smells with delicious treats.

Community Service: Involve your family in giving back to the community. Volunteer at a local food bank, participate in a holiday toy drive or make cards for nursing home residents (or visit one with the staff’s permission). Teaching your children about kindness and generosity is a beautiful tradition that can grow year after year.

Outdoor Movie Night: Set up an outdoor movie night with warm blankets, popcorn, and a favorite holiday film. If it’s too chilly, transform your living room into a cozy movie theater instead. The magic of family movie night can become a cherished tradition.

Reflection and Goal Setting: Hold a reflective family meeting where everyone shares their highlights of the past year. Discuss goals and aspirations for the coming year, helping each family member set intentions together. This practice not only fosters communication but also strengthens family bonds.

At Creekside Kids, we believe in the profound impact of traditions and rituals on a child’s development. These practices help children learn about their family’s unique culture, create a sense of stability, and nurture loving relationships. As we celebrate this holiday season, let’s cherish these moments and the excellent learning opportunities they bring to our little ones.

Thank you for being a part of our Creekside Kids community. We wish you all a happy and heartwarming holiday season filled with love, joy, and cherished traditions. 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. 

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Great Toys for Girls and Boys


Photo by luis arias on Unsplash

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING 2023! As we feast with our extended families today and pay tribute to the many blessings in our lives, our children are already eyeing the signs of the coming holidays. 

Even as we enjoy building sweet memories and honoring our traditions, most of us are bracing for tomorrow’s building pressures and excitements, otherwise known as Black Friday. Our kids don’t understand this complicated set of joys and heartaches yet, but someday, they’ll be right where you are, trying to show their immeasurable love to their child and hoping not to disappoint them when gift-giving for the holidays.

One significant caveat to remember is that the early childhood years are crucial for building rituals, rhythms, and relationships over getting a lot of toys. The neural development related to close connections through cooking, taking walks, raking leaves, snuggling, and reading together will reverberate through their lives for years to come. Not all gifts are tangible and cast in plastic; the gift of time and love is what children most crave.

As caregivers at Creekside Kids, parents often ask us for advice on great seasonal gift ideas. We always strive to provide our children with entertaining toys that promote their learning and development. That’s why, ahead of Black Friday, we’ve compiled a list of holiday gifts that meet the Reggio Emilia standards, a child-centered approach to education that emphasizes creativity, self-expression, and discovery.

Toys from national retailers such as Fat Brain Toys, Montessori Toys, Hearthsong Toys, Smiling Tree Toys, and A Toy Garden are a great place to start when looking for Reggio Emilia-inspired gifts. These brands offer various toys and games that foster creativity, imaginative play, and hands-on learning.

Glow-In-The-Dark Clock Puzzle: We particularly love Fat Brain Toys’ Glow-In-The-Dark Clock Puzzle. The puzzle features a beautiful clock illustration and its components, including hands, numbers, and mechanisms. The pieces are made from wood and have a smooth finish that’s easy for little hands to grasp. It also comes with an activity guide showing kids how to construct their clocks using puzzle pieces. This would be perfect for kids who love exploring how things work or those who want to learn more about timekeeping.

Magnetic Maze: Montessori Generation has a wonderful Magnetic Maze puzzle in the shape of various animals that helps children use logic and coordination to resolve a problem. (In particular, we’re fans of the monkey puzzle!)

HugglePod Deluxe Canvas Hanging Chair – If you can’t build a tree fort where you live but have some trees to call your own, Hearthsong Toys’ HugglePod Deluxe Canvas Hanging Chair provides kids with their own little fort off the ground! It’s a cozy, calming space for children to curl up with a good book, with the sun warming them inside. Sturdy and rugged, the HugglePod can withstand the weather– but don’t leave it out in a windstorm.

Spell Well Name Puzzle – Smiling Tree Toys offers this beautiful, personalized name puzzle. Made of high-quality solid wood with rounded corners and beautifully colored letters, the name puzzle is a perfect way to help your child learn their name while also having fun! The letters are big enough for small hands to handle easily.

Cork Boat Kit: We’re big fans of A Toy Garden’s Cork Boat Kit. The craft is easy enough for kids to do on their own, and the finished product is a sturdy little rowboat that will float in any water-filled container. The kit has everything you need: cork pieces, paints, brushes, and more.

In Colorado Springs, we are lucky to have some fantastic local toy sellers who share our commitment to child-centered learning. Little Richard’s Toy Store is an excellent option for wooden toys and games that promote imaginative play. We love their selection of play kitchens and dollhouses, providing a fun and engaging environment for children to act out their stories and scenarios. Discovery Toys is an alternative that inspires excellent creativity and problem-solving and is a bit more science-based. Our local partner at Discovery Toys is Joyce Stoffey, an expert on their line of educational toys.

Whether shopping at a national retailer or exploring your local toy stores, remember to look for gifts that inspire your child’s imagination, creativity, and love for learning. Happy holidays and happy shopping!

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.

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Divorce and the Big Holidays

 

Image by eanechiporenko from Pixabay

It’s sad to think of divorce and the Thanksgiving and Winter holidays. Being apart at a time where you want togetherness is hard on everyone. But divorce is a reality of many marriages, affecting children of all ages. Divorce can bring about emotional difficulties, especially during holidays like Thanksgiving, Eid, Hanukkah and/or Christmas. It’s essential to be aware of children’s potential challenges and take measures to support them. 

Here are some points to address when discussing the emotional difficulties of divorce during Thanksgiving and Christmas:

  • Acknowledge the Changes. Divorce significantly changes family dynamics and holiday traditions. Try to keep as many family traditions as possible. Children may struggle with the loss of a unified family unit and the changes in their holiday routines. They may blame you, or your ex-spouse. Or they may even blame themselves for the split. Empathize with your children’s feelings and validate their emotions during this time. Let them, and yourself, off the hook.
  • Communication is Critical. Focus on open and honest communication between co-parents. Try to set aside any personal conflicts and work together to create a holiday schedule that is fair and equitable for the children–and also honors the wishes of the children. As much as possible, include the children in the planning of events.  Some divorced couples are able to celebrate holidays together so that the children don’t have to have two separate Christmases/Haunnukas/Eids and pretend like they are happy at both or don’t prefer one over the other. Build a safe space for your children to express their emotions. Listen attentively and provide reassurance and support. 
  • Provide Consistency and Routine. Emphasize the importance of maintaining a sense of routine and consistency during the holidays. If the time is right, establish new traditions or preserve familiar ones that provide the children a sense of belonging which can be hard if the children move back and forth.
  • Avoiding conflicts. Prioritize the well-being of children and avoid conflicts during holiday celebrations. Set aside any disagreements and focus on creating a positive and peaceful environment for the children to enjoy the festivities.
  • Consider ‘Blending’. The one-holiday-on, one-holiday-off nature of custody arrangements can be challenging for everyone. If you and your co-parent have an amicable relationship, and enough time has passed that children will not be confused, consider forming an agreement where the hosting parent can allow the co-parent to come over and enjoy some holiday time together. Blending is especially an excellent step to take at Thanksgiving dinner, where it can teach a lot about the nature of the occasion—sharing a feast with all the relatives even if we don’t all get along all the time.
  • Ease off the Pressure. Pressure is on kids and parents to perform during big holiday functions. Give yourself grace as a parent and don’t worry about everything being perfect.  Gifts can sometimes be seen as conditional and dependent on emotional/behavioral compliance. Take time to let your children know that you’re there to support them and that it does not matter if they finish all their math homework or go on a pumpkin-picking trip with Grandma. The holidays are a time for families to come together; it doesn’t have to be perfect.
  • Create New Traditions for Any That the Divorce Has Damaged. Work with your kids to replace those traditions that cannot continue with an ex-spouse with new ones that affirm your family without obscuring or diminishing your parenting partner.  Perhaps you have remarried and can negotiate over what traditions to establish for your blended family.   
  • Seek Additional Support (if needed). If you feel overwhelmed or unsure how best to support your children during the holidays, seek help from a licensed therapist or counselor. These professionals can provide guidance and strategies to help you and your children navigate the emotional difficulties of divorce during Thanksgiving and winter holidays.

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.

 

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creekside building
1201 W Cheyenne Rd
Colorado Springs, CO 80906  
 
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(719) 635-9111

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