Looking to jump-start a fun Halloween tradition family members of all ages can enjoy? We’ve got you covered! Our list of eleven autumnal ideas can inspire a harvest of fun for your senior loved one to enjoy with grandchildren, neighbors, friends, or fellow senior living residents.
Make fall festivities memorable for older loved ones this year by revisiting a few favorite childhood activities and making them accessible for different abilities. From spooky stories to monster sundaes, and pumpkin scarecrows, there are options everyone can enjoy. So, open the costume closet and dress to impress for the Halloween runway because we are rolling out family fun for all this fall!
October – A perfect month for fall fun!
October is one of the best-loved months of the year and for good reason – cooler temperatures, colored leaves, apple picking, cider donuts, pumpkin-spiced everything, and of course, the fun of Halloween. Make the most of this beautiful month by setting aside time to see younger loved ones, even if just for a few hours in between soccer games, at the end of the school week, or after church for a family dinner.
Whether your loved one lives alone, in a senior living community, or miles away, there is always fun to be had and memories to make. Read on for our list of eleven ideas that can inspire Halloween traditions for sharing across generations. Adapt ideas to accommodate your senior loved one’s level of independence and unique preferences. Then, prepare for the excitement and have the camera ready to capture meaningful moments.
11 Halloween Ideas to Inspire Fun Halloween Traditions
Not-So-Average Pumpkin Painting
Carving pumpkins is a classic Halloween tradition, but why not skip the carving mess and try something new this year? Gather an assortment of acrylic paint colors, glitter, tissue paper squares, pressed flowers, paint brushes or craft sponges, and Mod Podge, and let your creativity soar. Paint or decoupage a small, medium, or large pumpkin to decorate your loved one’s coffee table, bookshelf, porch, or entryway. For a fun pumpkin décor option, try decoupaging a real (or fake) pumpkin with old maps.
Family-Friendly Halloween Recipes
For a senior loved one who enjoys cooking or hosting and may have experience with technology, enlist their help in searching for and selecting family-friendly Halloween recipes everyone can make and enjoy together. Schedule a fall family gathering and invite loved ones to contribute different ingredients for the recipe of your choice and try your hand at mastering your selection. Whether you opt for make-your-own pizza pumpkins, chocolate skeleton cookies, or monster mac-n-cheese, everyone can enjoy good company and the opportunity to create something tasty and fun.
Storytime Spooks
Would your senior loved one enjoy volunteering to read in a loved one’s classroom? If the answer is yes, reach out to a teacher you know or a local elementary school to inquire about facilitating a spooky storytime for a classroom of younger students. For seniors living in an independent or assisted living community, a life enrichment director may be able to assist with scheduling or may be interested in taking a group of residents to visit the school. Head to your local library, library book sale, or bookstore to find a few fun Halloween stories perfect for young readers or ask a teacher for a recommendation. Don’t forget to wear your favorite festive Halloween accessory!
Monster Mashup Sundae
Sweeten up the day with a monster mashup sundae party. Fill the freezer with flavors fit for a monster face (green mint chocolate chip, blue cookie monster, black raspberry, or your favorite chocolate variety), and add a few frightening features. Black licorice strings, candy eyes, candy corn spikes, festive sprinkles, green sour worms, cookie ears, or an upside-down sugar cone hat rolled in melted chocolate can do the trick. Don’t forget hot fudge, whipped cream, and a mellowcreme pumpkin.
Costume Exchange
Seniors with young grandchildren who like dressing up may enjoy a costume exchange. This activity can be hosted in your loved one’s home, outdoors, or in the senior living community your loved one calls home. Invite family members to bring a bin of costume accessories for swapping and see what reused or borrowed items can be exchanged to create new costumes. Seniors can also open their own closets for unexpected finds, such as fun hats, scarves, coats, or even wigs!
Still not finding the right piece? If your loved one enjoys activities like knitting, sewing, or crocheting, they might be willing to make a costume accessory or two, while older adults who use technology might help with online research for selecting costume attire.
Pumpkin Seed Roast
Host a pumpkin seed roasting contest. Recruit family members to submit a special recipe for roasted pumpkin seeds and designate a judge to assess each version and select a winner. After carving pumpkins and extracting the seeds, prepare seeds by rinsing and drying them on parchment paper before roasting with your favorite oil and seasoning blend. Each family, group, or individual should come prepared with a batch for testing and some to enjoy after the winner has been selected.
Treat Bag-Filling Station
Need an activity to occupy a few younger family members and engage an older loved one at the same time? Recruit them to help fill Halloween treat bags instead of serving candy from a bowl this Halloween. Using small festive favor bags, pack treats, small toys, or individually wrapped snacks inside. You can also include a positive sticker or handwritten note for your trick-or-treaters. This activity works well for any age and is an accessible option for seniors with dementia, or older adults with limited mobility or dexterity.
Scarecrow Soiree
Creating a scarecrow or two for your garden or front entrance can be a fun outdoor activity for all ages. Search your local thrift store (or closet) for a pair of overalls, old pants, a flannel shirt, a crewneck t-shirt, and a pair of shoes or boots. (You can also opt for an old suit and tie!) Then, rake together a pile of leaves or use hay or straw to create your scarecrow stuffing. Many seniors might have a few of these items in their closet that they are excited to share.
For accessories, look for a hat, burlap sack, rustic rope, fabric ties, or ribbon, and draw or paint a face on a pumpkin to use as the head for your scarecrow. For assistance, check out this great scarecrow tutorial or child-friendly design.
Attire to Inspire
Dressing up in full costume can be cumbersome and lose a bit of its appeal as we age, especially when mobility challenges interfere. But for senior loved ones who enjoy showing off their festive attire, there are plenty of practical options. Look for pieces like:
• An odd or unexpected hat (something vintage or ultra-modern)
• An impressive, east-to-wear accessory (giant necklace, sports jersey, or vest)
• A comfortable, non-restrictive mask (a masquerade-style mask)
• A humorous shirt, sweater, or other layer (apron, coconut bra, holiday sweater)
• Closet staples – suit jacket, athletic set, tie-dye shirt, or pajamas
Many costumes can be adapted to work for older adults who use walkers, wheelchairs, or other mobility-assisted devices. If your loved one’s physical or cognitive limitations are a concern, keep attire simple and choose an option that will make them feel comfortable and at ease.
Light It Up
Explore new and interesting lighting options for your front entrance along with traditional jack-o-lanterns to create a spooky sight or brilliant display. Strands of string lights, battery-powered lanterns, spotlights, glow sticks, and other accessories can surprise and delight crews of trick-or-treaters - with or without the scare factor.
Seniors with memory loss might enjoy setting up this display by hanging lanterns, preparing glow sticks, stringing lights along the porch, or placing small jack-o-lanterns in easy-to-reach spots. Add some spooky music to the mix and you’re ready for company!
Be the Halloween Host
Make meaningful connections the focus of your Halloween celebration this year by joining in for family events or other intergenerational activities, which prioritize safety, security, and socialization. Hand out treats at a daytime trunk-or-treat event, volunteer at your church’s harvest festival, or offer to help coordinate a Halloween movie night at your local senior center or senior living community. If your senior loved one lives alone, they might enjoy the role of Halloween host at the front door, and take delight in passing out treats, meeting neighbors, greeting children, and socializing with others.
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Find the connection, camaraderie, and supportive living environment you or your senior loved one is looking for at a Stoney Brook assisted living or memory care community in Central Texas. Our relationship-centered approach to life, with a focus on supporting senior health, independence, and dignity, offers older adults and their families access to exceptional services and amenities, a renewed sense of purpose, and a vibrant, engaged community. Experience life in a Stoney Brook community today by scheduling a tour or contacting one of our senior care experts to learn more.