Halloween is such an exciting time for kids — dressing up as their favorite characters, collecting candy, and reveling in the spooky atmosphere.  With all that excitement, it’s easy for sleep on Halloween to become disrupted.  And what’s scarier, vampires and ghosts or the thought of your child’s sleep in disarray?  Luckily, there are ways to ensure your child has a blast without sacrificing their sleep! 

Here are helpful tips to help little ones stay well-rested while still having a spooktacular time this Halloween.

Go into Halloween Well-Rested:

Like any holiday or special occasion, it’s best to be well-rested going into festivities. In the days leading up to Halloween, maintain your child’s normal bedtime and nap schedule.  If your child is well-rested before the big night, they’ll be more resilient to any schedule changes that occur on Halloween night. 

Plan Ahead: 

Talk about your game plan ahead of time.  When are the festivities beginning?  What route are you going to take if trick or treating?  When are you aiming to be back home?  When will bedtime be?  Kids respond better when they know what to expect so be sure to share the night’s plan with your children beforehand.  Even though Halloween is a special night, sleep still matters.  Clear boundaries can help manage the transition from excitement to sleep.

Start Trick-or-Treating Early:

 Trick-or-treating can be a whirlwind of excitement and it’s easy to lose track of time. Plan to start your Halloween festivities early in the evening.  Starting early will allow more time for your child to enjoy the fun without cutting into their regular bedtime.  Try to be back home early enough so that there’s enough time to decompress and wind down from all the excitement.

Limit the Sugar Before Bed: 

Halloween is synonymous with candy consumption, but too much sugar too close to bedtime can make it hard for kids to settle down.  Try to limit the number of sweets they consume late in the evening.  Set clear guidelines about when and how much candy they can have.  Saving candy means that there will be more treats to have in the days to come. 

Maintain a Calming Bedtime Routine: 

After an exciting evening, it’s essential to help your child shift gears and calm down.  Stick to your usual school night bedtime routine as much as you can.  If you think your child will have a hard time transitioning to bed after the festivities, be sure to start 10-15 minutes earlier.  Give warnings and set timers so they know bedtime is coming. 

Be flexible: 

Halloween is a special occasion, so it’s okay to be a little flexible with bedtime. Allowing your child to stay up a little later than usual for one night won’t have a long-term impact.  It’s all about balance! Enjoy the family fun but be mindful to preserve sleep and your usual routine as best as you can.

Halloween doesn’t have to mean a total disruption to your child’s sleep routine.  With a little bit of planning, maintaining some structure, and making small adjustments as needed, you can all enjoy the fun and festivities while still ensuring your little one gets the rest they need.  Use these tips to balance Halloween fun and healthy sleep habits. 

Happy Halloween!