Fun and Inclusive Halloween (or Fall) Activities for Every Age
Engaging, Inclusive, and Developmentally Appropriate Ideas for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
By Ms. Vanessa | Early Learning Made Easy
For many families, Halloween brings excitement — costumes, candy, and creativity! But in some early learning programs, such as Head Start centers or faith-based preschools, Halloween isn’t formally celebrated. The good news? Children can still enjoy all the fun, sensory-rich, and imaginative experiences of the season — without focusing on spooky themes or specific holidays. Whether your setting celebrates Halloween, prefers a “Harvest” or “Fall Fun” theme, or simply wants to keep things gentle and inclusive, here are age-appropriate ways to make October magical for everyone.
Infants (Birth to 12 Months): Sensory Play & Gentle Exploration
Babies learn through touch, sound, and sight. Keep experiences calm, colorful, and safe.
Halloween-Friendly Ideas:
- “Boo Baskets” filled with soft textures: sensory scarves, fuzzy plush toys, tissue paper.
- “Pumpkin Peekaboo” with plastic pumpkins or cutouts.
- Sing “Five Little Pumpkins” or “The Itsy Bitsy Spider” (try board book versions).
Fall-Themed Alternatives:
- Make simple sensory bags with slider bags + leaf confetti or orange-tinted water.
- Explore real pumpkins and gourds (tabletop tray): mini pumpkins & gourds.
- Apple-scented dough made from baby cereal: infant cereal + apple pie spice.
Caregiver Tip: Focus on describing textures — “smooth,” “bumpy,” “soft” — to build early vocabulary.
Toddlers (1–3 Years): Curiosity, Movement, and Pretend Play
Toddlers love to imitate, explore, and move! Keep activities open-ended and playful.
Halloween-Friendly Ideas:
- Dress-Up Day with hats and costumes: costume sets, play hats, storybook characters.
- Pumpkin Roll Races across the floor with foam pumpkins.
- Bubble “Potion” Play using bubble solution + a few drops of washable color.
Fall-Themed Alternatives:
- Leaf collage with paper leaves or real leaves + washable glue sticks.
- Pretend to be forest animals with animal headbands.
- Corn sensory bin with dried corn + sensory tray + scoops/spoons.
Caregiver Tip: Narrate their play with excitement to support early language development.
Preschoolers (3–5 Years): Imagination, Creativity, and Cooperation
Preschoolers thrive on imagination, art, and teamwork.
Halloween-Friendly Ideas:
- Spider Web Walk using painter’s tape on the floor.
- Pumpkin Painting instead of carving: washable paint + decorating kits.
- Storytime with Room on the Broom or Where’s My Mummy?
Fall-Themed Alternatives (Head Start–friendly):
- Harvest Art Table — paint with washable paints, apples, or corn cobs.
- Kindness Harvest — add kind acts to a paper leaves tree (trunk from kraft paper).
- Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt — collect leaves, twigs, and acorns with kid clipboards and magnifiers.
Teacher Tip: Focus on community, gratitude, and social-emotional learning — perfect for inclusive classrooms.
Creating Inclusive “Fall Fun” Classrooms
If your program doesn’t celebrate holidays, center your themes around seasons, creativity, and togetherness.
Inclusive Ideas:
- “Fall Festival” with music and dancing (add simple rhythm instruments).
- “Apple Day” for tasting and counting (washable tasting cups & counting mats).
- “Pumpkin Exploration Week” — painting, cooking, and sensory play (see supplies above).
- Gratitude Tree — children add leaves for things they’re thankful for (see paper leaves + kraft paper).
Use terms like “Harvest Celebration,” “October Fun,” or “Fall Festival” to include everyone.
Final Thought
Whether your classroom celebrates Halloween or simply celebrates fall, the real magic of this season is joy, curiosity, and connection. What children remember most isn’t the costumes or candy — it’s the laughter, shared creativity, and the feeling of belonging. Every child deserves to feel included in the fun — no matter how you celebrate!
Research & Attribution:
This resource was independently created by Ms Vanessa, Early Learning Made Easy, informed by evidence-based research and guidance. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by any external institution or author.
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