I love this time of year, but I miss how into Halloween my three teens used to be. I legit tear up when they bring out the Halloween costumes in Target. We used to get lost down those aisles for hours deciding what they were going to be that year.
However, as our kids get older, we can still celebrate with them. That just might not mean eating their candy after they’ve gone to bed on Halloween, but there are some fun ways we can hang on to the magic just a bit longer with our teens.
Carve or paint pumpkins
Host the trick-or-treating
I love looking at all the kids’ costumes. It’s fun to stay in, turn the outdoor light on, and present lots of candy to the kiddos. Get your teens involved and have them pass out the candy, or tell them that’s why they are doing the pumpkin carving.
Make it sound like they are doing a good deed for the younger kids and they will have even more fun.
Go out to their favorite restaurant
We love doing this (before we pass out the candy that is). It’s a way for me to get my kids to spend some time with me, and you will most definitely see some kids dressed up in their costumes and enjoy the Halloween decorations in your town.
Go on a haunted walk or hayride
Confession: I hate these because the anticipation is too much, but my kids love them. So each year I take them on a haunted walk with their friends, so long as they promise I get to walk in the middle and they will be on all sides of me.
Watch Halloween movies
A good movie marathon, whether you like scary movies or not, is always good for the soul. It’s the simplest way to get you in the mood for Halloween, even for the kids who say they aren’t a fan.
Let them have a sleepover
If they want to have friends over, make blanket forts, and dine on pizza and their favorite candy, let them have at it. It’s fun to listen to our kids having fun, and just because they’ve reached a certain age, it doesn’t mean they are too old to eat candy with their friends. I’m 46, and it’s still one of my favorite things to do.
Have a bonfire
I love the smell of a good fire going in the backyard. Throw on a flannel and tell scary stories, or just roast hot dogs and marshmallows.
