10 Spooky Activities for Toddlers: Fun (Not-So-Scary) Halloween Ideas!

Halloween is just a few days away, and if you’re like me, you’re already feeling the excitement. We are BIG on Halloween in our house and now with a toddler around it’s even more fun! Halloween can be super exciting for toddlers and we’ve already gone pumpkin mad. So, I’ve put together 10 fun and spooky but sweet activities for toddlers that will bring smiles instead of screams. Ready for some toddler-friendly fun?

1. Pumpkin Painting Party

Forget the sharp knives and complicated carvings; toddlers and paintbrushes are a match made in messy heaven! Get some mini pumpkins, and non-toxic paints, and let your little artist create their own colourful Halloween masterpiece. Bonus: glitter glue for those extra sparkly pumpkins! ✨

This is an activity we do *with* adult supervision but it’s a really fun way to get messy, play with different textures and learn colours.

2. DIY Ghost Bowling

This is an easy, budget-friendly activity! Grab some empty toilet paper rolls, wrap them in white paper, and draw little ghost faces on them. Then, let your toddler roll a soft ball to knock them down. It’s spooky, silly, and helps with motor skills. Who knew ghosts could be so fun?

This is a great one for a high-energy toddler (like mine) because he can throw, kick and roll balls in the house but in a fun and controlled way. He asks to play this a lot.

3. Spooky Sensory Bins

Sensory bins are a toddler’s dream – and with a Halloween twist, they’re even more fun! Fill a bin with things like dried pasta “bones,” soft toy spiders, and peeled grapes (for squishy “eyeballs”). Let them explore, feel, and squish to their heart’s content. They’ll be entertained for ages!

4. Monster Stomp Dance Party

Turn your living room into a monster disco! Play some Halloween tunes (something like “Monster Mash” or “Ghostbusters”), and encourage your toddler to stomp around like a little monster. You can make monster feet out of cardboard or simply go barefoot. Stomping is the name of the game!

I love doing this in that slump between making dinner and dinner being eaten – the longest part of our day when everyone’s a bit hungry and grumpy. It totally changes the vibe of the house.

Even better, if we plan a monster party ahead of time, we make costumes or set up dressing up to do to make it even longer.

5. Halloween Cookie Decorating

Halloween and sweets go hand in hand. In fact, I’ve already broken into some of our sweets for trick or treaters, oops! Bake (or buy) some Halloween-themed cookies – think pumpkins, bats, or witches’ hats – and set up a decorating station. Use icing, sprinkles, and candy to let your toddler create their own sugary masterpieces.

This is another sticky one so get the wet wipes ready!

6. Bat Craft with Handprints

Handprint crafts are always a hit with toddlers! To make a bat, trace your toddler’s hands on black construction paper and cut them out – these will be the bat’s wings. Stick them onto a body made from a paper towel tube or a circle of paper, and voilà – a cute bat they can flap around the house.

This one is great for practicing cutting skills – but does require lots of supervision.

7. Glow Stick Bath Time

Turn bath time into a spooky (but fun) adventure! Dim the lights and toss a few glow sticks into the tub for a glowing, eerie (but not too scary!) bath. Your little one will love splashing around in the glowing water. It’s Halloween magic at its best!

We do this when we’ve been splashing in muddy puddles or we need to kill some time on long, rainy days. Jack plays and splashes and tires himself out while also getting clean. Then, there’s nothing better than getting into clean PJs and playing together.

8. Spider Web Obstacle Course

Transform your hallway or living room into a toddler-friendly spider web! Using string, weave a simple “web” between furniture or walls. Challenge your toddler to crawl under, over, or through without getting “caught” in the web. A great way to burn off that post-cookie energy! ️️

9. Storytime with Friendly Monsters

If you’re looking for a calming, cosy activity, grab some Halloween-themed books like Room on the Broom (Jack’s absolute favourite book right now) or Where’s My Mummy? and snuggle up for a spooky story time. Soft blankets, dimmed lights, and your toddler’s favourite monster plushie make it a sweet (and not too scary) experience.

10. Costume Parade

Toddlers LOVE to dress up, and what better way to embrace the Halloween spirit than with a costume parade? Let your little one dress up as their favourite character (think cute pumpkins, cuddly animals, or friendly witches), and have them show off their look. Add some music and let them march around the house. It’s too adorable for words!

This one is great for encouraging independent dressing – a skill your little one will nee for school in a few years’ time.

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There you have it – 10 toddler-friendly spooky activities that will keep your little ghouls giggling all Halloween long! From sensory play to sweet treats, these activities are designed to be fun, engaging, and (most importantly) not too scary for those sensitive little souls.

Have you tried any of these? Let me know in the comments or on Instagram! And whatever you do this Halloween, have a spooktacular time with your mini monsters!

LoveRosiee
xxx

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People Also Ask…

What is the main Halloween activity for children?

If you’re not going out trick or treating, bring the search for sweets indoors. Hide little sweets around (like an easter egg hunt) for younger children. For older children try a more complex search, like hiding letters of the alphabet that when found and rearranged spell out the location of a prize.

Why is Halloween important for toddlers?

Preschoolers and elementary-aged kids are at the peak pretending stage and dressing up as a character teaches them how to role play, take in other people’s perspectives which sets a basis for empathy. Pretend play helps your child learn how to be creative and flexible; an important life skill for their future.

Do 2 year olds go trick-or-treating?

Generally speaking, 3 to 4 years old is often a great age to start the trick-or-treating tradition. Younger children can become frightened by all the scary masks on Halloween night—plus, their trick-or-treat bucket will be brimming with choking hazards.

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