A Spooky Spectacular in Nature: Creating Lasting Halloween Memories
Photo by Sierra Wilde
Halloween is a time for fun, costumes, and creating memories that last. While trick-or-treating is a popular tradition, it isn’t for every family. Luckily, there is another way to enjoy the festivities, while avoiding the sugar overdose: a Halloween-themed hike! Hiking in costume can add an extra layer of excitement to your outdoor adventures, allowing your child (and you) to show off your creativity.
The Benefits of Hiking in a Halloween Costume
Photo by Sierra Wilde
Extend the life of their costume. Give their costume(s) more life by incorporating them into your outdoor adventures. Kids grow out of clothes so fast, often rendering last years Halloween costume obsolete before the next trick-or-treat season.
Promote imaginative and creative play. Encourage storytelling, role-playing, and costume-themed activities or crafts. Create a story together, search for hidden treasure, or find the perfect stick to craft into a “wand.”
Have a costume-themed photo shoot. Choose a location, bring a prop or two, and capture candid moments of your child playing in costume.
Create unforgettable memories and a new family tradition. Dress up in a costume too, pack themed snacks, and invite family and friends to join in on the fun. Make sure to take lots of photos to capture the special moments and relive them, together, over and over for years to come.
Boost your mood and strengthen your bond. Spending time in nature together is a proven way to reduce stress and anxiety. It’s the perfect combination for creating happy, lasting memories together.
Tips for Choosing a Suitable Costume
Photo by BP
Comfort is key. Ensure that the costume isn’t too tight or too loose. They should be able to run, jump, and climb easily, without tripping.
Dress weather-appropriate. Costumes are notorious for being made from thin fabrics, especially considering that fall can be a tad chilly. Size up if your child is going to be wearing a base layer underneath. Avoid masks or wings if your child will need to wear a beanie or jacket to stay warm.
Avoid costumes (or accessories) that pose a safety hazard. It’s wise to avoid costumes that have long, trailing fabric since they pose a tripping hazard, especially on uneven surfaces. You may also want to avoid certain types of masks since they can obstruct vision and, sometimes, breathing.
Safety Considerations for Hiking in Costume
Whether your child is in costume or not, these essential safety tips will help ensure a fun and enjoyable hiking experience:
Stay hydrated. Bring water along for both you and your child. If they are too busy playing, gently remind them to drink water every so often.
Pack snacks. Bring along healthy snacks to keep your child’s energy and mood levels up. Nobody is fun to be around when they’re hangry.
Wear sun protection. Even though the days are getting cooler, the sun’s rays are still strong enough to damage skin, especially during the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. Apply a broad-spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB damage) sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher.
Bring a First-Aid Kit. A well-stocked first-aid kit can be a lifesaver. Kids are always tripping over, scratching against, or bumping into something. A basic first-aid kit should include a variety of bandages and antiseptic wipes. A cold pack can be a nice addition as well. For a full list, check out The Ultimate Guide to a First-Aid Kit or grab an Adventure Bottle (a first-aid and emergency kit for your car or hiking bag).
Fun Activities for Your Halloween Hike
Photo by Sierra Wilde
Have a costume contest. Hand out prizes for the “Most Creative” or “Funniest” costumes.
Create a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt. Relate clues to items found in nature, fall, and Halloween.
Take turns telling fun or spooky stories. Take turns sharing spooky stories, urban legends, or personal ghost stories. Or create stories that feature Halloween items like pumpkins, or characters like witches or ghosts.
Discuss your family’s Halloween traditions and fall plans. Kids love talking about going apple or pumpkin picking, carving or painting pumpkins, and going to haunted houses.
Collect items for a nature craft. You can create so many different Halloween-themed crafts by using materials found in Mother Nature. Collect leaves and glue them to paper, making a design or scene. Collect pinecones to craft into an owl or bird feeder. Or collect river rocks and paint October-themed items on them like pumpkins, spiderwebs, or bats.
Examples of Halloween-Themed Hikes
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Pumpkin Patch Hike: Before the hike begins (bonus point if you can enlist an older child to run ahead of the group) hide tiny pumpkins along the trail for the children to find.
Fairy Tale Picnic: Dress up the children as a princess or prince and have a picnic during or at the end of the hike.
Witch’s Coven Hike: Have the children dress up as witches and wizards. Along the walk, have them collect natural items for their Witches Brew potion.
Haunted Forest Hike: Dress the children up as their favorite Superhero, ready to vanquish any villains, or arch nemesis, that may be lurking in the shadows of the forest.
Early Explorers Hike: Have the children dress up as their favorite, or a famous, explorer (think Astronauts, sailors, and Louis and Clark).
Boo-tiful Beasts Hike: Have the children dress up as a famous zoologist (like Jane Goodall).
Spooky Safari: Have the children dress up as their favorite animal!
A Halloween hike is the perfect way to create lasting memories, and start a new tradition, with your kids! Whether your family loves hikes or you are just looking for a unique way to celebrate the holiday, exploring nature in costume can be a fun and educational experience for the whole family. So, gather your little ones and friends, grab their (and your) costumes, and get ready for a spooktacular adventure that your kids will never forget!
