Tips and Tricks! Have an Accessible and Inclusive Halloween!

Halloween is a time for spooky celebrations and connecting with others in your community. One of the most beloved Halloween traditions is trick or treating. However, many aspects of trick-or-treating can feel overwhelming for children with disabilities. To make sure that Halloween is full of fall fun for everyone this year, here are a few tips to keep your Halloween celebration more accessible.

Keep walkways well-lit and clear for people using mobility devices. Lining a walkway with jack-o-lanterns is fun but make sure there is space for everyone to get through. If your porch or door requires steps to go up, consider leaving a bowl of candy at the bottom of the steps so everyone can get a piece.

You can also offer non-food treats for children with dietary restrictions or allergies. There are many fun and unique non-food goodies you could give out on Halloween. Spider rings, glow in the dark stickers, sticky hands, and more! Kids will appreciate the variety, and many parents will appreciate not having to worry about what foods their children may get into.

Learning a few basic ASL signs for deaf trick-or-treaters can make them feel . Signs like “welcome” and “have a good night show you are welcoming to all. There are also ASL signs for “Halloween” and “Happy Halloween”. This will add both an inclusive and festive flair to your Halloween celebrations.

Consider adding tactile display elements for children with sensory issues. It may also be helpful to tone down certain audio and visual elements of your Halloween decorations for children with sensory issues who get overwhelmed easily. That doesn’t mean you have to forgo your spooky decorations all night long but perhaps pick a time earlier in the evening to keep our decorations toned down and let your friends and neighbors now when you plan to turn on the really scary stuff.

There are many ways to make Halloween more fun and inclusive for everyone. These are just a few tips to help you get started. Happy Trick-or-treating!