Simple Easy Halloween Activites and snack for kids

Embracing the Halloween Spirit (Without the Overwhelm)

Written by: Fort Sumpter

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Time to read 3 min

It’s that time of year again - when the leaves turn golden and pumpkins peek out from doorsteps. Halloween has rolled around, and I know many moms (myself included) can feel a little overwhelmed by the chaos of costumes and candy. After all, this season can often mean juggling trick-or-treating plans, whipping up festive treats, and attempting to create that "Pinterest-perfect" holiday moment.


But let’s be real - perfection isn’t the point, nor is it even possible. This year, instead of aiming for a flawless Halloween, I’m focusing on letting the excitement and joy of the season take over. Here’s my mantra: embrace the mess, lean into the silly moments, and forget trying to make it all look perfect. Because when we do that, we create memories that outshine any well-curated Instagram post.

Spooky Fun, Kept Simple

Halloween doesn’t need to be a big production to be special. In fact, some of the most memorable celebrations happen when we keep it simple and let our creativity run wild. Here are a few ideas for a low-stress, high-fun Halloween.

Easy & Yummy Halloween Treats

Skip the multi-step baking projects! Check out our little round-up of simple snack ideas that don’t require hours in the kitchen and are actually good for your kids (mostly). Think date spiders, grape cauldrons, and apple eyeball bites - super easy, and your kids will love them.

Easy Halloween Snack Ideas

Time-Friendly Halloween Activities

Choose a couple of activities that everyone enjoys (and that don't break the bank). Maybe that’s carving a pumpkin together, maybe that's making ghostly handprints. It doesn't need to be an elaborate or time-consuming season but one filled with simple pleasures. 

Halloween Movie Night for Kids

If you are looking for more of a relaxing Halloween night, you can't go wrong with a spooky movie - but one that won't end in tears or nightmares! Here are some great options for Halloween movies for little kids:

  • Spookley The Square Pumpkin [G]
  • Room on the Broom [U]
  • Curious George: A Halloween Bo fest [U]
  • The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1949) [U]
  • Toy Story of Terror [U]
  • Addams Family (2019) [PG]
  • Nightmare before Christmas [PG]
  • The Muppets Haunted Mansion Special [PG]



Celebrating Bravery with Your Little One

Halloween is the perfect time to introduce kids to the idea of being brave. It’s a season that’s both thrilling and a tiny bit nerve-wracking, and finding that balance between fun and a little fear can be empowering for them.


In our Halloween episode of Adventures of Curiosity Cove, The Halloween Creepy Crawl, Ella the Curious learns to face her fears - from eerie shadows to the trickier side of Halloween costumes. If you are looking for a great screen-free alternative for Halloween entertainment, or even just something to listen to on the way to school as they're dressed up, our Halloween epsidoes could be the perfect choice.


Here are a few ways to turn this story into a teachable, fun adventure: 


  • Dress Up & Listen: Pop on your kids’ favorite costumes and make an event out of listening to the episode together. Bonus points for adding a few spooky-themed snacks!
  • Talk About Fears: Use the episode as a starting point to discuss what bravery means. Ask your little ones about a time they felt nervous and how they pushed through. It’s a great way to turn those spooky jitters into a badge of courage.
  • Craft a Spooky Scene: Invite your kids to draw their very own “spooky adventure” inspired by Ella’s bravery. You’ll be surprised at what they create when they let their imaginations run wild.


Simple Easy Halloween Activites and snack for kids

Leaning into the Season

Every Halloween, I’m reminded that bravery isn’t just for the little ones - it’s something we all need to flex now and then. Sometimes that means stepping into a new experience with your kids, even when you’re a little unsure yourself. And sometimes it’s about showing up authentically, without worrying about how you or your Halloween festivities “measure up.”


At the end of the day, it’s not the perfect costumes or curated parties that your kids will remember. It’s the giggles, the sticky fingers, and those little moments of magic. So, let’s lean into this Halloween season with all its beautiful messiness, give ourselves some grace, and focus on making memories over making perfection.

Tika Sumpter, Founder of Fort Sumpter

Fort Sumpter

Led by founder Tika Sumpter, at Fort Sumpter we aim to make every day easier for moms, allowing them to fill their own cups and feel valid in every facet of themselves, to better support those around them. We aim to inspire children through a world of story adventures, guiding them through the intricacies of everyday life. And we aim to provide a sense of community, showing that no-one has to go at life alone.

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