1. Costume DIY: The Joy and Chaos of Crafting Together

There’s something magical about making costumes with your kids—until you realize they’ve changed their mind again. ;)

We break out the glue guns, cardboard boxes, fabric, and anything that sparkles. Sure, the living room looks like a craft store exploded, but it’s worth it.

Of course, they wear their costumes around the house for days before Halloween, and by the time October 31st rolls around, they’re either half-destroyed or suddenly “not cool anymore.” But you know what? It’s all part of the Halloween fun!

2. Decorating Madness (In the Best Way Possible)

My kids are all in when it comes to decorating the house for Halloween. We’re not just talking about hanging a pumpkin on the door. Oh no, in their minds, our house needs to look like a full-blown haunted mansion.

That means we spend a whole afternoon cutting out paper bats, ghosts, and spider webs—most of which are crooked, oddly shaped, or somehow have too many eyes. But it’s the effort that counts, right?

And here’s the kicker: every year, the decorations always end up in the most random places—like a ghost taped to the microwave or a pumpkin on the bathroom mirror. Embrace the chaos!

3. Pumpkin Carving Mayhem

Carving pumpkins is supposed to be a relaxing family activity, right? Well, not exactly. My kids love the idea of pumpkin carving—until they actually have to scoop out the goopy insides. Then it’s all “Ewwww” and “This feels weird!” while I end up doing most of the dirty work.

Their vision for the perfect jack-o’-lanterns? Let’s just say it’s ambitious. My son wants a dragon carved into his, and my daughter insists on a unicorn pumpkin. The result is more of a “lopsided smiley face with questionable features,” but they love it. Every year, without fail, their pumpkins look adorably ridiculous, and it’s honestly one of the funniest parts of the whole season.

4. Rainy Day Fun: Halloween-Themed Coloring Sessions

Sometimes October weather doesn’t cooperate, and we end up with those rainy, gloomy afternoons where the kids are bouncing off the walls. My solution? Halloween-themed coloring sheets. It’s an instant hit. We spread out the crayons, markers, and colored pencils, and they go to town on everything from haunted houses to smiling jack-o'-lanterns.

It’s honestly one of those peaceful moments where they’re focused (at least for a little while), and I get to join in too, adding my very artistic touch to a vampire or witch.

And yes, I totally use the “parent card” to keep some of their best creations to hang on the fridge. There’s something so sweet about how excited they get when their artwork is displayed like it’s gallery-worthy.

If you're looking for inspiration, shop this book full of ideas for Halloween themed activities. We bought a for the 3rd time in a row this year, because our kids love it.

5. Trick-or-Treating: The Ultimate Comedy Show

Then comes the highlight of the season: trick-or-treating. This is when all the costume efforts (and negotiations) come to life. We step out into the crisp fall evening, and it’s like leading two sugar-fueled explorers on a wild expedition.

In our Kindergarten, our kids learn funny songs to "scare" the neighbourghs.

And our neighbourghs love it! Especially the older ones, who pack oversized, sweet bags for the children.

It's only one night, but this evening brings neighbors closer together and that is perhaps the most wonderful thing about the whole tradition.

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