35 ADHD Sensory Halloween Tips And Ideas




Halloween can be a difficult and challenging time for children who have Sensory Processing Disorder. 

Costumes, face painting and Halloween parties can be too overwhelming causing your child to meltdown. 

Here are some tips and ideas you can try to help make Halloween easier or more fun for your child. 

Happy Halloween! 






1. Prepare your child that Halloween is coming and what to expect.


2. Visual schedule for your child to see when the date is coming.


3. Costumes should be comfortable and not scary.


4. Let them choose the costume they will be wearing.


5. With the costumes, less is best!


6. Practice wearing the costume for 5 minutes and gradually to an hour, weeks before.

 
7. Explain what other costumes may look like and that they are only that, costumes.


8. Most children with SPD don't like masks or bulky costumes.


9. Let them have some control how the evening goes.


10. Choose a route and walk the route before Halloween a couple of times to prepare.


11. Halloween is not just about trick or treating, they can enjoy being the one who hands out treats at the door.


12. If your child doesn't want to go out for Halloween, that's ok too!


13. Don't force your child to wear the costume.


14. Ask them where they would feel safe and more comfortable trick or treating.


15. Most children with SPD don't like face painting, experiment weeks before Halloween.

 
16. Trick or Treating earlier is best, before it gets dark.


17. Bring a friend along to keep your child company for extra support and encouragement.


18. When your child is tired or doesn't want to do it anymore, end the evening.


19. Search for local children's Halloween events if your child doesn't want to go out.


20. Try to avoid crowded areas, houses and crowds in general while out.


21. Bring noise reduction headphones if your child doesn't like loud noises. (Fireworks)


22. Explain behavior expectations to your child before you leave.


23. Tell your child the basic rules of Halloween such as no treats until you have searched the Halloween bag. (allergies & diet restrictions)


24. If you are at a Halloween party, take breaks. (Sensory space) 


25. Let others know of any allergies when receiving treats for your child.


26. Halloween games can be difficult for your child, ask them what they are comfortable with playing.


27. Most children with Sensory Processing Disorder don't like carving pumpkins or the way it feels. Don't pressure. Many children may enjoy painting on them or drawing on them instead. 


28. Many children do like carving pumpkins and squishing the guts... great sensory activity!


29. Remember a regular day can be overwhelming for a child with Sensory Processing Disorder, Halloween can easily cause sensory overload which could result in a meltdown.


30. Creating costumes from familiar clothing may work best. 


31. Maintain routine, same bedtime.


32. Ask your child's school what they do for Halloween activities as many may make your child uncomfortable.


33. If your child is nonverbal, bring Halloween awareness cards. 


34. Complete sensory diet before trick or treating and after before they go to bed. (Brushing, joint compressions, heavy work, swinging and trampoline.) 


35. Have your child attempt to open the candy themselves to improve fine motor skills. 





40 PCS Halloween Stress Relief Toys Set for Kids and Adults, Halloween Themed Sensory Fidget Toy Packs with Pumpkin Basket, Stress Squeeze Toy Sets for Halloween
Our halloween stress relief toys include 40 pcs of novelty toys with1 pumpkin basket, 1 magic cube, 2 mesh & marble, 4 puzzle balls, 1 snake chain, 2 stretchy strings, 2 squeeze beans, 2 slime with eyeballs & worms can, 2 flip chains, 1 liquid timing set, 12 halloween style mochi squishy, 8 stretchy skeletons and 2 puffer balls.
Our sensory stress relief pack is designed with various halloween elements, such as halloween style mochi squishy, stretchy skeletons and so on. The innovative design will not only help you relax, also let you enjoy the joy of halloween holiday!

Dress Up To Calm Down Our weighted costumes have velcro interior pockets with removable weights in the body both front and back of the costume, which act to provide deep pressure (proprioceptive input) to the trunk helping with self-regulation and calming, organizing focus and attention, and anxiety. Our weighted costumes will help kids with sensory processing difficulties be able to participate in everyday life activities with greater comfort and ease.
Includes costume and removable weights.
If you just want to purchase costume due to having weights at home, pockets included in costume.

Zombie Snot Fidget Putty Stress Relief Novelty Zombie Gags for Kids Stocking Stuffers for Boys Halloween Weird White Elephant Ideas Fidget Toys Pearl Green Therapy Putty
Challenging days can really eat at you, but this cool, green, gooey fun can keep you going. Squeeze and squish the putty through your hands until you’ve slayed the stress and are ready for whatever comes next.
Release tension as you soften the specially formulated, green pearl putty by squeezing and stretching it in your hands. You’ll feel happier when you finally lay that stress to rest.

Dress Up To Calm Down Our weighted costumes have velcro interior pockets with removable weights in the body of the costume both in the front and back, which act to provide deep pressure (proprioceptive input) to the trunk helping with self-regulation and calming, organizing focus and attention, and anxiety. Our weighted costumes will help kids with sensory processing difficulties be able to participate in everyday life activities with greater comfort and ease.
Includes costume and removable weights.
If you just want to purchase costume due to having weights at home, pockets included in costume.
Includes for Small-4 (0.8lb removable weights),  Medium- 5 (0.8lb removable weights), Large 6(0.8lb removable weights), and Extra Large- 7 (0.8lb removable weights)




Stretchy Dino Wrap Compression + Creative Play in One Sensory Wrap! 
Fun and Function Stretchy Dino Cape Wrap for Kids with Adjustable Compression Play Toy Costume Great for Tactile Defensive Children & Sensory Seekers
Got a little T-rex roaming around your house? The Stretchy Dino Wrap is perfect for play, pretend, movement, compression and sensory integration. With hand pockets neatly sewn inside the wrap, kids can dress up, tuck their hands into the pockets and wrap themselves snugly inside the stretchy cape. It's a sensory wrap with adjustable compression provided by your child. Kids love the sensory fun of stretching and stomping while roaring like a dinosaur.
A playful twist on a sensory sock provides deep pressure input
Supports kids with sensory processing disorder and autism
Made by Fun and Function
Small: Ages 2-4 . Large: Age 4+

Halloween Colorful Water Gel Beads Set Including 14720 Water Gel Beads, 50 fake spider toys,4 colorful cups,4 toy tweezers, 1 funnel, 2 Colander

Halloween atmosphere: our elastic water growing beads are designed in Halloween theme, with attractive colors, and these funny beads will look crystal clear with good elasticity after being put into water, and we have various shapes of toys, such as spiders, bats, mice, creating a strong festive atmosphere



Weighted Dragon Wings Dress Up and Soar!
Fly in shimmery style! Our Weighted Dragon Wings bring imagination and sensory integration therapy together for a delightful play experience. Slip large elastic loops over your shoulders, place wrists into smaller elastic loops and set off on a dragon adventure! Incorporate into occupational therapy sessions, wear while storytelling at school or use as kids dress up clothes at home. Gentle weight is great for sensory seeking kids and helps to improve body awareness, motor planning and sensory integration.
Blends imaginative play with sensory therapy
Supports children with autism, ADHD and sensory processing disorder
Made by Fun and Function
Ages 4-10

Fun and Function – Police Dressing Vest for Kids – Fun Costume Dress Up Vest For Kids with Fine Motor & Sensory Issues – Black – One Size
Fun and Function’s Police Dressing Vest is a unique sensory tool for kids to work on fine motor skills in a fun and engaging way! Instead of dry fine-motor exercises to build up hand strength and hand-eye coordination, use this vest to help practice those skills without your child even realizing he’s working!
Encourage imaginative play and social skills by letting your kids dress up in this fun, one-size-fits most costume. With silver reflectors and large POLICE sign printed across the back, both girls and boys can have fun with in their Police Dressing Vest in make-believe adventures
Encourage imaginative play at home by letting your child play dress up and have an exciting adventure. And don’t forget to wear to your favorite costume party!











DISCLAIMER: I am not an Therapist. I am an adult who has ADHD, a parent to children who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and now a Grandma. The information on this website is not medical advice and does not replace the information that your child's therapists give you. These are just ideas and information that I have learned myself over the years of being a parent and an adult living with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. (ADHD) If you are concerned for your child, please always seek medical attention through a family doctor, pediatrician or therapist. This website is for informational purposes only. Each child is different and what works for one child may not for another. Please always consult with a professional.

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