Halloween is an exciting time, and celebrating your baby’s first spooky season can be extra special! While your little one might not be ready for trick-or-treating just yet, there are plenty of fun ways to make their first Halloween memorable. Whether you’re looking to create adorable photo opportunities or enjoy some baby-friendly activities, here are some ideas to help you celebrate in style!

1. Adorable Costumes for Cute Memories

One of the most exciting parts of Halloween is dressing up! Babies in costumes are guaranteed to bring smiles, so why not choose something extra adorable or clever for their first Halloween? Here are some fun costume ideas:

• Classic characters: Think baby pumpkins, tiny ghosts, or cute witches. These classic choices never go out of style.
• Family-themed costumes: Get the whole family involved! You could dress up as a matching theme, like the Incredibles, a superhero team, or characters from a favourite movie.
• Animal costumes: Babies make the cutest little lions, bunnies, or bears. Soft, cozy animal outfits are perfect for keeping your little one warm and photo-ready if you do step out to trick or treat together!

Make sure the costume is comfortable and easy to put on and take off—your baby’s comfort comes first!

2. Baby’s First Halloween Photoshoot

Capture this special milestone with a mini Halloween-themed photoshoot. You don’t need a professional photographer to create some fun memories at home. Here are some ideas for setting the scene:

• Pumpkin patch photos: If your baby is old enough to sit up, place them among a pile of pumpkins for a cute autumn backdrop.
• Costume close-ups: Take pictures of your little one in their costume, and don’t forget to capture all the funny expressions!
• Simple decor: Use some Halloween-themed blankets, plush pumpkins, or spiderwebs to set a spooky scene without overwhelming your baby.

You’ll treasure these photos for years, and they make perfect mementos to share with family and friends.

3. Baby-Friendly Pumpkin Decorating

Carving pumpkins can be a little tricky (and messy) with a baby around, but there are plenty of fun alternatives to traditional pumpkin carving. Try these baby-friendly ways to decorate pumpkins together:

• Painted pumpkins: Choose non-toxic, baby-safe paint, and let your little one “help” decorate a pumpkin by finger-painting or dabbing colours with a soft sponge.
• Stickers or markers: Use fun Halloween-themed stickers or draw on the pumpkins with felt tips for a no-mess option. This can also be a great way for older siblings to join in.
• Pumpkin sensory play: If you’re feeling adventurous, scoop out the insides of a pumpkin and let your baby explore the seeds and pulp with their hands (under supervision, of course). It’s a fun sensory experience!

These simple activities are a great way to introduce your baby to the Halloween tradition without any sharp tools involved.

4. Halloween-Themed Baby Books

Story time is always a hit with little ones, and what better way to get into the Halloween spirit than by reading some baby-friendly spooky stories? There are plenty of board books designed specifically for babies and toddlers that introduce fun Halloween characters like pumpkins, ghosts, and friendly monsters.

Here are some popular titles to look out for:

• Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson
• Where’s My Mummy? by Carolyn Crimi
• It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz (baby versions available!)

Reading together is a cozy, bonding activity that helps build your baby’s language skills and introduces them to the magic of Halloween in a gentle way.

5. Host a Baby Halloween Party

If you have friends with little ones, why not host a small, baby-friendly Halloween get-together? Here are some fun ideas for a Halloween-themed baby party:

• Costume parade: Let the babies show off their costumes in a mini-parade (or a crawl-around if they’re not quite walking yet!).
• Sensory play stations: Set up sensory bins with Halloween-themed items like soft toys, crinkly paper, and baby-safe lights.
• Simple treats: You can offer baby-friendly snacks like mashed sweet potatoes or pureed pumpkin. For the adults, you can provide Halloween-themed cupcakes or pumpkin-flavoured treats.

Keep it short and sweet to match the babies’ attention spans, and enjoy a fun-filled, social Halloween celebration.

6. Halloween-Themed Keepsakes

Creating a keepsake to remember your baby’s first Halloween is a wonderful way to capture this moment in time. Here are some easy, sentimental ideas:

• Handprint or footprint crafts: Use washable, non-toxic paint to make a little handprint or footprint on paper or a pumpkin. You can transform them into ghosts, spiders, or bats and frame the final product.
• Baby’s first Halloween memory box: Save a piece of their costume, a Halloween photo, or their first pumpkin decoration to place in a memory box. These will be special items to look back on as your baby grows.
• Personalized Halloween ornaments: Get a personalised ornament made with your baby’s name and the year to hang up during future Halloweens.

These keepsakes will be a reminder of their very first spooky holiday, and you can look back on them year after year.

7. Halloween Movies & Baby-Friendly Shows

End your Halloween festivities by snuggling up on the couch with your little one for a baby-friendly Halloween movie or show. An option that is fun for the whole family (and not too scary) is:

• Room on the Broom (based on the book)

This light-hearted show is a nice way to wind down after a fun day of Halloween activities.

Enjoy Every Spooky Moment!

Your baby’s first Halloween is a magical time filled with excitement, creativity, and lots of adorable moments. Whether you’re taking cute photos, hosting a baby-friendly Halloween party, or making sweet keepsakes, the most important thing is to enjoy this special time together as a family.

Happy Halloween from Bibbilyboo!