Halloween night is one of the most anticipated nights of the year for most children. The excitement of picking a costume, staying up late, and receiving a bucket full of candy made Halloween my favorite holiday as a kid. However, for children with physical or developmental disabilities, food allergies, or sensory differences, trick-or-treating can be very difficult or may not even be an option. There are things that you can do, though, to make your trick-or-treating station as accessible as possible for all children who may come by on Halloween night. 

1. Offer non-candy treats in a separate bowl. Having other items such as erasers, pens, stickers, or other festive party favors ensures that children who have food allergies or other dietary restrictions have a fun treat waiting for them that they can enjoy.

2. Be mindful of stairs, uneven pavement, or other physical obstacles that may prevent children with disabilities from reaching your home. Taking your trick-or-treating station to the sidewalk or end of your driveway ensures that it is accessible for everyone while also allowing you to be more social and have more fun interacting with your guests!

3. Avoid flashing lights, loud music, or surprise elements when setting up your decorations, as these can be overwhelming to children with sensory differences or dangerous to those who experience seizures.

4. Don’t expect every child who visits you to say “trick-or-treat” or “thank you.” Many children may not be able to say these, including those with language delays, articulation disorders, apraxia of speech, Autism, or deafness.

5. Finally, be patient with all who come to your door. If a child is not wearing a costume, does not speak to or look at you, or appears too old for trick-or-treating, there is always a chance they have a disability that you are not aware of.

Following these tips and, most importantly, being patient and understanding will go a long way in ensuring that all who come to your door on Halloween feel safe and included in this fun holiday!