| lign="center"> | | | | baby might be able to lick it off around his or her |
| Trick-or-treat! A baby or infant may not | | | | mouth). |
| understand what the phrase means, but he or | | | | Other Important Things to Consider |
| she can still have fun participating in the Halloween | | | | The weather- is it usually getting cold or still a bit |
| festivities. Of course baby's first holidays are | | | | warm at Halloween time where you live? If you |
| really for the parents, since baby probably won't | | | | have your heart set on a summery type |
| remember any of them, so feel free to dress | | | | costume for your baby and it will be cold where |
| your little one as you wish- there will be a day | | | | you live make sure to bring along a heavy coat |
| when they won't want you to dress them | | | | and layer baby with items like legwarmers (which |
| anymore! Have fun with it and take lots of | | | | can be put on baby's arms or legs for warmth), |
| pictures. In the following paragraphs we will give | | | | gloves, socks and shoes or boots. If baby will |
| you some baby costume ideas as well as safety | | | | tolerate a hat then consider a matching winter |
| tips and fun activity ideas for parents to do with | | | | type beanie, or another cap that covers baby's |
| their little ones at Halloween time. | | | | head and ears. |
| How to choose a costume | | | | The type of event you will be attending- If you |
| Halloween is a time for young and old to be | | | | will be going to a pumpkin patch or other outdoor |
| whatever they want to be for one day. A Star | | | | event consider what the outside temperature will |
| Wars character? No problem. Superman? Great. A | | | | most likely be. However if you will be attending an |
| princess? A witch? A ghost? The list goes on and | | | | indoor celebration and it's cold outside be sure that |
| on. In baby's case, his or her costume is based on | | | | you can take off any layers from baby's |
| what parents want baby to be for the day. When | | | | costume when you get inside so that baby stays |
| brainstorming for your baby's costume you will | | | | warm on the trip to and fro but is comfortable |
| first want to decide which costume genre you | | | | inside the event. |
| want to pursue. Many times parents want baby's | | | | Other people's costumes- As you probably know, |
| costume to match the rest of the family's so you | | | | babies and infants can get startled easily. If you |
| might want to pick out the other family member's | | | | are going to an event where adults and teens will |
| costumes first and then look for a baby costume | | | | be in costume, or if you plan to go |
| to match. | | | | trick-or-treating, it is important to realize that your |
| Basic Costume Genres | | | | baby could get scared. Some adults costumes can |
| TV & Movie Inspired: This type of costume | | | | be very frightening, even for baby's parents, so |
| includes television and movie characters from | | | | it's important to keep in mind that you may have |
| yesteryear and today. Examples of these types | | | | to change your plans if baby isn't enjoying the |
| of costumes are: Superman, Supergirl, The Green | | | | festivities. Certain babies will not be able to handle |
| Lantern, Wonder Woman, Spiderman, Dora The | | | | a situation like this at all so try to gauge what kind |
| Explorer, Go Diego Go!, Buzz Lightyear, | | | | of event you feel your baby is ready for and plan |
| Travelocity Roaming Gnome, Shrek, Scooby Doo, | | | | accordingly. |
| Mickey or Minnie Mouse, Elmo, Wizard of Oz | | | | Fun Halloween Activity Ideas |
| characters, Sesame Street characters, Batman or | | | | Throw a Halloween Party |
| Robin, Star Wars characters, The Hulk, The | | | | Have your own Halloween party and invite your |
| Smurfs, Baby Eeyore, Thomas the Train, Yogi | | | | friends, family and their children. When you host |
| Bear, Curious George, Muppets characters | | | | your own party, baby can enjoy Halloween |
| Fantasy/Storybook: Pirate, Sleeping Beauty, | | | | festivities right in his or her own home with |
| Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Tinkerbell, Belle, | | | | people he or she is already familiar with. At your |
| Snow White, Alice in Wonderland | | | | own house you will have more control over what |
| Occupation/Hobby: Fisherman, Doctor, Trooper, | | | | baby is exposed to, such as certain costumes |
| Sailor, Rock Star, Astronaut, Fire Fighter, Soldier, | | | | (you could ask guests to remove scary masks, |
| Police Officer, Baseball Player, Golfer, Nurse, | | | | etc. when around baby- most guests probably |
| Football Player, Basketball Player, Soccer Player, | | | | won't mind, as their intention is most likely not to |
| Veterinarian, Lawyer | | | | scare small babies!) You could have a small |
| Animal: Some examples of animal costumes are: | | | | gathering or go all out and do cute invitations, |
| Lion, Lady Bug, T-Rex, Dragon, Tiger, Monkey, | | | | decorations, food, drinks, games and favors. |
| Lobster, Bumble Bee, Lamb, Butterfly, Elephant, | | | | Just make sure that any decorations and games |
| Cow, Puppy, Triceratops, Kangaroo, Frog, Pengiun, | | | | do not have small pieces that your baby could get |
| Skunk, Bat, Rabbit, Alligator, Kitty, Spider, Bear, | | | | ahold of. There are plenty of websites that |
| Pig, Octopus, Panda Bear, Guppy | | | | offer excellent Halloween party ideas so have fun |
| Funny: Lil' Monster, Crayon, Woopie Cushion, Chili | | | | with it and start planning! |
| Pepper, Hot Dog, Pizza Slice, Billion Dollar Baby, | | | | Community Organized Events |
| Strawberry, Candy Corn, Pea In A Pod, | | | | Sometimes there are planned Halloween events |
| Jack-In-the-Box, Tootsie Roll | | | | at local churches, schools, malls, museums, fire |
| Classic: Witch, Skeleton, Devil/Angel, Frankenstein, | | | | houses, zoos and YMCAs. In some cities there |
| Ghost, Mummy, Zombie, Flower, Vampire, | | | | are even Halloween parades and carnivals. It's |
| Pumpkin, Clown, Cowboy/Cowgirl, Angel, | | | | important to do some research about each event |
| Ragamuffin | | | | first to see if it's going to be something that you |
| Make, Buy or Borrow? | | | | think your baby or infant would be able to handle |
| After deciding on a costume idea you will next | | | | and hopefully enjoy. Many of these events will |
| need to decide whether you want to make your | | | | have plenty of other children attending so your |
| baby's costume yourself or purchase it. You can | | | | baby can be entertained watching the children play |
| also look at the option of borrowing a costume | | | | games and do activities (and it's even better if |
| from a relative or friend who's baby has | | | | you have an older child because they can |
| outgrown theirs (which is probably the most cost | | | | participate while baby looks on). You can usually |
| effective costume idea you will find). | | | | find a good list of events in your local newpaper |
| As far as buying goes, most baby costumes | | | | or online by searching "Halloween Events for Kids |
| range from $19.99 to $49.99. You can even find | | | | in ______" and adding your city in the blank. |
| some on clearance for $14.99 at certain stores | | | | Pumpkin Patches |
| and on websites. There are also older child, teen | | | | Pumpkin patches are a great place to take a |
| and adult costumes so you might want to | | | | baby or infant for Halloween! Babies will love |
| consider buying all of your family's costumes at | | | | looking at all of the pumpkins and watching the |
| once place to take advantage of free shipping | | | | older kids do the hayride, corn maze, face |
| opportunities and coupons. | | | | painting, mini train, pony rides or other activities |
| If you decide you want to make baby's costume | | | | offered. Many pumpkin patches also have farm |
| yourself, bravo! This gives you the chance to | | | | animals around which babies tend to enjoy looking |
| make a truly unique and custom fitted costume | | | | at and in some cases petting. As with other |
| just for your little one. There are plenty of | | | | activities don't forget to bring a jacket and extra |
| websites that offer baby costume patterns and | | | | clothes for baby if it's a cold October. |
| you can also try looking at your local fabric store | | | | Trick-or-Treat (If You Dare!) |
| for patterns and Halloween fabric. | | | | Many parents who have older children decide to |
| *Note- For newborns and very small babies a | | | | bring baby along for the ride, and others choose |
| good option is themed pajamas. In pajamas baby | | | | to take baby trick-or-treating to show off his or |
| will stay comfy and safe while masquarading as a | | | | her cute costume and be social. Either way it is |
| little animal, skeleton, ghost, ghoul, goblin or other | | | | essential to remember that your baby can't |
| festive creature. | | | | handle what older kids can and so his or her limit |
| Costume Safety and Comfort | | | | will probably come a lot sooner than the other |
| Whether you make, buy or borrow your baby's | | | | children, especially if he or she gets spooked. If |
| costume the first and most important thing to | | | | you are going as a family be sure to have a |
| consider is baby's comfort and safety. Be aware | | | | "back-up plan" in case baby gets tired or scared, |
| that the costume should not be too tight or | | | | such as one parent taking baby home and the |
| binding, especially around the neck. Baby will not | | | | other staying with the other children who want to |
| have a good Halloween if his or her movements | | | | continue trick-or-treating. It is also highly |
| are restricted or if he or she is too hot. If you | | | | suggested to take baby only to houses of friends |
| decide to use a costume with a headpiece ensure | | | | or family to avoid any potential scares. Some |
| that it isn't squeezing baby's head. Many babies | | | | people enjoy making their home and costume as |
| and infants do not like things on their heads so | | | | scary as possible for trick or treaters and while |
| the headpiece might get pulled off during the | | | | an older child might think this is "cool" a baby or |
| festivities or even before. In addition, we | | | | infant will most likely not! |
| recommend that you do not use a mask in your | | | | This Halloween our daughter will be 11 months old |
| baby's ensemble since this could be dangerous or | | | | and we are beyond excited about picking out just |
| at the minimum scare your baby. If you choose | | | | the right costume and event for her. Whatever |
| to put face paint on baby, use non-toxic paints to | | | | you decide to do with your baby don't forget to |
| ensure that baby's sensitive skin is protected as | | | | bring your camera and your childlike wonder. We |
| well as to prevent baby from ingesting anything | | | | wish you a very happy and safe Halloween! |
| toxic (since the paint could run if baby sweats, or | | | | |