What are some simple ideas to play with your toddlers? Is your toddler always wanting you to play with them, but you’re not exactly sure how? It can be extra hard if you also feel like you have a million jobs to do round the house!
It’s true that, without a structured idea, most of us can forget how to play – particularly when we’re feeling tired, ill or stressed. And for neurodivergent parents – like a few of our team here at Happity – play can sometimes feel even harder!
Yet play is so important for so many aspects of our children’s development – their brain, resistance to stress and social skills, to name a few. There’s a reason why Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is based on play.
So let’s ditch the complicated play ideas for toddlers and opt for simple fun (even if we still need a little help with that!)
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler? There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
Is It Bad That I Don’t Always Want To Play With My Toddler?
Not at all! We all need time to ourselves and to replenish our energy. In fact, toddlers seeing that you are taking time to sit down for a while, or complete other tasks, is valuable for them and will help them take the first steps to independent play. If they can play while you are doing something else close by, it can be beneficial for both of you. Feeling happy and secure is the key, so try the simple play ideas for toddlers below to help your little one learn how to play with just a few resources:
1. Try A Craft Activity Together
If you want to try a structured activity, look at one of our craft blogs, like these nature crafts or these rainy day activities. Some children, just like adults, find creative play difficult, so simple craft ideas you can join in with and adapt may be the way forward.
“I totally relate to finding play hard. I just can’t do role play or made-up stuff. It literally zaps my energy in about three seconds and I have no imagination! I have to have a structured activity like cooking, a class, or a board game.”
– Emily, Team Happity
2. Play A Card or Board Game
Orchard Games make tons of simple number, letter and fun activity board games aimed at toddlers.
Try and stick to games with simple rules. This will be enough to help your child develop problem-solving skills as they work out how to play. Some children will invent their own rules, so try and go with the flow!
3. Colour Or Paint – Simple Play Ideas For Toddlers
Blank paper and some simple finger paints are a good place to start. See this blog for some toddler painting ideas. Magic water painting books are also great for no-mess painting.
Keep a stack of colouring books, magazines and activity packs to hand so you can pull one out when you feel energy levels begin to dip! You can also order play kits or activity boxes for science and craft on subscription for a new idea every few months.
4. Play a Physical Game
If your toddler has loads of energy, you could try a game like Twister. They (or you) spin an arrow which points to a colour and body part, e.g. ‘put your left hand on red’. Twister’s a great game as you can read the spinner and sit back a bit while your child/children have fun twisting their bodies into all sorts of weird and wonderful shapes!
You can even make a home-made Twister. Grab some coloured cones, or coloured floor tiles and lay them out on the floor and voilà!
5. Cook Something Together
Anything where your toddler can mix and stir ingredients in a large bowl can be so much fun for them. Think gingerbread men, biscuits, pancake mix and cakes. There are loads of ‘first baking’ style books out there, or simple recipes on the internet. Toddlers will see this as ‘play’ as they are cooking with or alongside you.
If you or your toddler enjoy step-by-step instructions when it comes to activities, then following a recipe together can really help.
6. Complete A Jigsaw or Puzzle
Now can be a good time to encourage your toddler to have a go at that jigsaw that’s been hidden in its box. Your role can be as simple as passing pieces to your child or suggesting where a piece goes.
If you’re in a creative mood, try making your own jigsaw.
7. Plan a Trip Out Together
Zoos, museums and parks can all offer opportunities for you to explore and play with your toddler. Many National Trust properties are set up with adventure playgrounds you can help your child explore as they challenge themselves, or activities specifically for children. Check out this ‘Top 50 Things To Do in Autumn’.
8. Arrange A Playdate
Having a friend round can take the pressure off playing. Your toddler will discover new ways of playing alongside or with another child or parent, and you’ll be amazed how a long-forgotten toy will suddenly regain its magic when another child picks it up!
9. Do Some Yoga Together
Most toddlers are still remarkably flexible, so will love to stand or sit alongside you stretching and ‘being a tree’! This cute book ‘Yoga Babies’ by Fearne Cotton is great as it tells a story, as well as showing the moves, or you can follow the story being read online by the author.
10. Go To A Toddler Group
There are loads of baby and toddler groups out there, from playgroups to ‘Stay and Plays’, nature groups and craft groups. Many of these have activities you can help your toddler to do, and they should help you with inspiration too once you’re back home.
If you do attend any baby or toddler classes, keep an eye out for simple craft ideas and games. Make notes on your phone or take photos to help you remember! Check this article for more ideas.
11. Build A Bridge or Tower – Simple Play Ideas For Toddlers
Playing can be simple and fun. Grab some Lego, Duplo or blocks and see who can build the tallest tower/longest bridge. For extra fun, try balancing a soft toy or figure on the bridge or tower and see if it holds.
If you have a train set or road pieces, you can add to this game by helping them make a layout.
12. Race A Car Or Truck Down A Ramp
You can use anything to make a ramp, such as placemats, bits of cardboard, blocks, lego boards. Then have fun racing cars down the slope with your toddler!
Any activity where you are engaging and playing with your child will really help connect you emotionally, as well as helping to promote their brain development.
13. Make A Hideout
You can slot floor tiles together to make a box or hideout for your toddler to crawl in or out. Or grab some sheets and drape them across chairs for a simple ‘den’.
14. Blow Bubbles – Simple Play Ideas For Toddlers
Blowing bubbles around the house or garden with your child to pop is a really easy way to play with them. This game can last for ages, particularly if your toddler wants a go at blowing bubbles too. Try giant bubble makers or rope bubbles.
Sometimes the simpler an idea, the better it works.
15. Make Playdough Animals
Try to let your child lead when it comes to creative activities, but if they seem like they don’t know where to start, try giving a few ideas. Start by getting a tub of playdough and prompting your child, ‘What shall we make today?’
Rolling playdough into balls can be really relaxing (for both of you) and you may find this turns into making balls of different sizes, squishing balls together to make towers, making food out of balls. If your child is into a particular animal, you could see who can make the tallest/smallest/funniest-looking animal. Or you could make a whole herd of them, wobbly legs and all.
16. Catch Or Roll A Ball
Throwing a ball or balloon up in the air for your toddler to bounce around is simple and can take away the pressure of playing. Try kicking a football round the garden or a basic game of catch and throw. If you’re indoors, try sitting on the floor opposite your toddler and rolling a ball towards them.
17. Set Up A Scavenger Hunt
Hiding small items around the house for a simple scavenger hunt can be really fun too. Just grab something you have multiple items of (like toy cars, or play money) and see if your toddler can find them. They will probably want to hide them for you as well! (this game can last for hours)
Nine times out of ten, your toddler will come up with their own ‘game’ based on your original simple suggestion.
18. Do A Simple Sorting Task
Sorting things into categories can help develop mathematical skills, logic, problem-solving and fine motor skills.
Try sorting blocks into colours, buttons or bricks into sizes. You can put tupperware boxes or baskets on the floor for your toddler to put the objects in.
19. Read A Story Together – Simple Play Ideas For Toddlers
Reading may not feel like play but as reading and repetition is so good for your child’s development, you may find them ‘reading or singing’ along with you and repeating words and phrases. Maybe you can read a story to their favourite soft toy and see if your toddler can read to their toy as well?
20. Craft A Cardboard Box
Why not grab a large cardboard box/boxes, some colouring pens and see what your little one does with it? Will it be a rocket, car, castle, or something else?
Rather than feeling you have to plan out every minute of the day, see where an idea or object leads you and your child. This will help you give your child choices in what they want to do and helps make their play child-focused.
21. Pull Out Something Different
We’ve all heard about parents rotating their toys, but why not try introducing something random from a shelf or cupboard?
Sometimes children can find things belonging to adults even more exciting than actual toys! Try giant plastic spoons from the kitchen, picnic hampers (take out any sharp objects first), measuring jugs, large buttons to sort, old postcards and stamps, balls of wool, pairs of shoes, hats. Anything lying around could be a potential source of play. Even sorting, matching and rolling socks can be a really fun activity. Follow your child’s lead and see what happens.
“We have a door draught excluder which looks like a sheep. In summer, this has become a soft toy which enjoys going for walks on a lead, a bendy wall for a castle (!), a ‘sheep snake’ involved in a zoo…the list is endless!”
– Liz, Team Happity
22. Turn Household Tasks Into Games
Your toddler will love helping you. You’re going to sweep the floor. Give your toddler a dustpan and brush so they can join in. Look, we’re sweeping the floor together! Maybe sing a little song – I’m sweeping the floor, you’re sweeping the floor, we’re sweeping the floor. Use whatever tune comes to mind. Wheels on the Bus or Old Macdonald you can adapt to pretty much anything. Activities like washing the car (just give your toddler a bucket of soapy water and a large sponge) or sweeping up the leaves can be a real treat for many toddlers!
23. Pick Three Things – What’s In The Box?
Help your child problem-solve. Hide three things in a box (e.g. car, floor mat, teddy), put the box in the middle of the floor, and see what your toddler does with them. Resist the urge to jump in and help straight away. Try asking some questions first. Ooh, what’s in the box today? What shall we do with it? If they struggle to think of a game to play, see if they can suggest a swap for one of the items.
You can sit back a bit after setting your child off, and your toddler will feel you’re involved because you’re actively asking questions about what they’re doing. They’ll also be engaged with brain-boosting problem-solving as they work out what and how to play.
24. Balance A Dinosaur
If your child is into dinosaurs, you could try something like trying to get a toy dinosaur to climb up a chair leg. Give yourself permission to be silly. Have I got a dinosaur balancing on my head? I bet I could walk to the kitchen with this dinosaur on my head. Can you do it too?
Asking questions and commenting on what’s happening can really help spark play with your toddler too. Just repeat back what your toddler is doing. So you’re putting the dinosaur on the block? Oh, the dinosaur fell over. You’re picking it back up.
25. Tell A Story Using Lego
You might find building Lego easy but what happens once you have built cars, houses and other sets lying around the house?
If you struggle “making something up”, why not try re-enacting a favourite film, book or storyline with your toddler?
26. Role Play Using A Soft Toy
Role play can be tricky for many parents so maybe try this idea.
Pick up a favourite soft toy at snack time and prop it up at the table. Look, teddy is joining in today. Do you want to give them a snack? Your child might want teddy to have their own plate or cup. Maybe they’ll try and help teddy eat. Maybe you’ll end up with a whole teddy bear’s picnic, with all the soft toys and animal figures involved. Or it could lead to cooking (pretend or real). Or maybe you’ll end up somewhere else entirely.
It’s hard, we know, but try to relax and see where your child’s imagination leads you.
“I’ve got much better at role play having a kid that literally forces me to do it! So there are definitely ways to up your game (no pun intended!)”
– Lisa, Team Happity
27. Be A ‘Play Guide’ – Simple Play Ideas For Toddlers
Studies have shown that play is so important to help with children’s brain development, and it can help an adult’s brain as well!
So it’s great they want to play with you, but this can be exhausting if it’s for a long time and you feel you’re in the role of a high-energy ‘entertainer’. Sometimes we want to help our children to be able to play a bit more independently as well as with their peers/siblings.
Try and see yourself as more of a ‘play guide’ and give yourself permission to step back. Maybe set a timer (this can be in your head or a silent timer on your phone so it doesn’t interrupt play). Try and fully engage with what your child is doing for that time period. Sometimes children just want to feel we are interested. If you find this difficult, try mimicking what your toddler is doing. Maybe they’re pushing a car. You could copy and also push a car. Most toddlers will see this as you ‘playing’ with them (which you are – it doesn’t have to be complicated).
After five, or ten minutes, or however long you want, move away slightly or take a seat nearby, and see if your toddler will play for a bit with you watching on.
After a while, you should find it easier to set them off playing and for them to play a bit more independently or with siblings and friends for longer. You can still dip in and out and be their ‘play guide’.
Why Am I Still Finding It So Difficult to Play?
If you still find it hard to play at home, why not go to a ‘Stay and Play’ where you can sit down and grab a coffee with other parents while your toddler plays alongside other children? You may pick up some more ideas about how your child can play while you are there.
If you’re a neurodiverse parent or have a neurodiverse toddler, you may find play can open up a whole new world of challenges and that more (or less) structure is required. So check out this resource.
What Is Depleted Mother Syndrome And Could I Be Suffering From It?
Depleted mother syndrome (DMS) is a recognised condition where you feel totally overwhelmed by everything to do with looking after your child or newborn. This can present as physical, mental and/or emotional exhaustion. If you feel like this, you are not alone. Definitely seek help and support if you think you may be suffering from burnout or DMS by either talking to your GP or contacting someone on our Mental Wellness page.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Your toddler may be excited about going trick-or-treating with you for the first time, or maybe they want to help when it comes to carving the Halloween pumpkin.
While a toddler wouldn’t carve a pumpkin from scratch, there are loads of ways they can get stuck in when it comes to decorating for Halloween – all in a safe and age-appropriate way.
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler? There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
How Do You Involve A Toddler In Pumpkin Carving?
You can involve your toddler in pumpkin carving by getting them to help with the design. Ask them to scribble their plan on a piece of paper or whiteboard first if you like. See here for some spooky ideas.
Or you can get them to draw with a black biro or felt tip straight onto the pumpkin. Remember, it doesn’t need to be perfect. Wonky eyes and mouth can look even spookier! Your toddler doesn’t need to stick to faces either. Maybe try a cat, or castle, or bat.
If they want to get involved with hollowing out the pumpkin, get an adult or older sibling to cut the top off the pumpkin. Then you could give your toddler a large spoon to help scoop out the pumpkin flesh and seeds into a bowl. Who knows, they might actually be more willing to try pumpkin soup or pie afterwards if they’ve helped with this bit!
How Can Toddlers Help Make A Pumpkin’s Face?
Again, as an adult, you could carve the design (like the eyes and mouth), but don’t actually push the pieces out. Let your toddler help with this. You could give them a play knife or piece of their own cutlery to try and pop the pieces out the other side. Playdough tools also work well for this.
Designing the pumpkin’s ‘face’ is great for general drawing and fine motor skills. It can be very different drawing on a 3D pumpkin compared to drawing on a flat piece of paper!
If your toddler gets a go at scooping out the pumpkin or pushing out the pieces for eyes and mouth, they’ll be practising both their gross and fine motor skills as they manipulate the spoon and tools.
Pumpkins are also a treat for the senses. They’ll experience that delicious pumpkiny smell and possibly the taste if you cook the pumpkin up as well!
What Age Can You Start Carving Pumpkins?
Although 9-14 is the recommended age for actually using pumpkin carving tools, you can still involve toddlers in the drawing of the design and some of the hollowing out. You just need a large spoon, ice cream scoop or some play cutlery. Or why not let them have a go at pulling the ‘slime’ out from the middle of the pumpkin with their hands and dumping it in a bowl? Messy play opportunity right there!
Preschoolers will also love it if you carve the shapes out and let them push them through.
So there are definitely ways you can include preschoolers in hulling, scooping and ‘carving’!
What Other Halloween Decorations Can I Make With My Toddler?
You can keep Halloween decorations spooky yet simple for toddlers. Why not try paper ghost chains or pumpkins in a row?
Pebble ghosts are really easy to make with toddlers. All you need is some small pebbles and white paint. Once you’ve painted the pebble and let it dry, you can paint or stick on eyes.
Check out arts and crafts classes here on Happity – usually these groups will run Halloween specials around this time of year.
Glowing Halloween jars are also fun and effective. Firstly, cover your jar with masking tape or tissue paper. Glue on eyes and a mouth. Again, these can be made out of tissue paper. To create a glowing lamp, pop in a toddler-friendly battery-operated tealight. Finally, put the jar on your mantelpiece or windowsill.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
What are some of the early signs that a little one (under 5’s) might have ADHD? It’s one of the more common concerns that parents have when their kids are around nursery age. However, it’s quite hard to tell whether it’s ADHD or general toddler hyperactivity. Whilst it is difficult to diagnose children under 6 (and in fact, most doctors refuse to diagnose kids below school age), there are still signs you can look out for.
We’re joined by Charlotte Rebbeck, a trained Nursery Practitioner with 8 years of experience working with little ones. She’s been there first-hand to spot the key signs of ADHD / ADD in under 5’s and she’s here to share them with you. Remember, as a parent, you are the ones who know your children the best. If you are concerned, make that push to find out more from your GP.
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler? There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
What is ADHD / ADD?
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder), also known as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), is a disorder that affects how children and adults behave. It often looks like restlessness, trouble concentrating or acting impulsively.
The main two traits of ADHD are inattentiveness (difficulty concentrating and focusing), and hyperactivity and impulsiveness. In my experience working with SEN children, they will often display both of these, though it may fluctuate in which one they display more. More often than not, boys are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls. Girls don’t always show signs of disruptive behaviour and can mask it more than boys. But one of the main signs for girls is their inattentiveness. Lets talk about the different signs of ADHD (and what to look out for as a parent).
Inattentive Signs Of ADHD In Under 5’s
There are quite a few signs of inattentiveness that can present with a child with ADHD. These are all common in children, they grow and learn how to hone these skills, but if a child has multiple of these signs paired together it may indicate that they could have ADHD.
Having A Short Attention Span
This is usually paired with them becoming distracted easily or just, in general, having a hard time concentrating.
Constantly Changing Activity Or Task
This is the one that I see most often at my nursery: a child will sit for a minute at one activity and then swap to another. It presents itself more prominently when your little one is expected to stay sitting down for longer periods of time. For example, during meal times, quiet reading time, arts and crafts activities, etc.
Seeming Unable To Listen To Or Carry Out Instructions
More often than not, children with ADHD may need prompting or telling multiple times to carry out instructions, as they find it difficult to focus on one thing. Nine times out of ten, they aren’t being unresponsive out of bad behaviour or out of acting out. They just need that extra prompting so they have a bit longer to process what they need to do.
Appearing Forgetful Or Losing Things
With children under 5, it’s not uncommon for them to forget or lose things (I’ve lost a lot of great toys at the nursery due to this!) but paired with the other symptoms, this could be a sign it may be something more.
Hyperactivity and Impulsive Signs Of ADHD In Under 5’s
Have you ever had an impulsive thought and had to quickly shut it down? Children with ADHD can’t shut it down and may follow through with it, leading to some pretty out-there situations. That lack of being able to ignore their intrusive thoughts is one of the reasons why children with ADHD are often thought to be acting out or misbehaving. This is just one of the few signs of hyperactivity/impulsive signs of ADHD in under 5’s.
Finding It Difficult To Sit Still
This is especially true when in calm or quiet surroundings like a library or during circle time at nursery/school. They will often struggle to stay in one place and concentrate on what they’re needing to do in quieter moments.
Constantly Fidgeting
This is slightly different from sitting still in the sense that they will often find something to play with. Perhaps making shapes with their hands, or playing with things around them like their shoes, laces, the carpet etc.
Unable To Concentrate On Tasks
They may need constant prompting to stay focused on a task. Something as simple as eating can actually be quite difficult for them to concentrate on, so they may need several reminders in one sitting to continue eating.
Excessive Talking
We know children love to tell you about everything, they’re excited about the world and want to tell you everything about it. But children with ADHD find it difficult to know when to stop.
Excessive Or Big Movements
They might constantly need to be moving or doing exaggerated movements like throwing themselves over their parent/sibling/friend. This can feel like a lot to handle at times!
Unable To Wait Their Turn
Like we mentioned above, children with ADHD or ADD find it difficult to wait for long periods. And whilst we might not think 30 seconds is long during a game, it might be too much for a child with ADHD. This often leads to them snatching or leaving the activity to entertain themselves with something new.
Interrupting Conversations
As they find it difficult to wait, they may constantly interrupt conversations between friends/parents etc. Kids do generally tend to do this, but for children with ADHD it’s something they can’t control.
Acting Without Thinking
They don’t think about the consequences of their actions, which could lead to them acting out impulsively (throwing a toy, or pouring their drink over).
Little To No Sense Of Danger
They don’t think before acting and this can lead to them not having a sense of danger. I’ve worked with a few children with ADHD who have just run into the road without looking. No matter how many times you try to warn them of the dangers around them, it’s something that they don’t think about.
Tools, Tips And Ways To Help
There are a few ways to help your child if you do think they may have ADHD. We use them ourselves within nurseries, but they can make a big difference for you at home too. Try these out and see if they can benefit your daily routine.
Plan The Day
Making a simple visual timetable can help as it will show the child exactly what is going to be happening that day and when (Breakfast, Bath, Playdate, Lunch, etc.) There are some great resources and templates on Twinkl to help with this.
Set Clear Boundaries
It is important to set clear, firm boundaries. Praise and reward acceptable behaviour and put in place consequences for negative behaviour (e.g take away a privilege such as time watching TV/using a tablet).
Be Positive!
It’s nice to be praised and it helps your child understand that they’ve done something good. Try and be specific with praise, saying, ‘You did great cleaning up’ instead of a simple, ‘well done’. The specificity of it will help them both to feel good about what they did, as well as understand more clearly what it is that got them the praise in the first place.
Give Specific Instructions
It’s important to be specific yet brief with your instructions. It’s a good balance to figure out for a child with ADHD, as you want them to know the specifics without the key instructions getting muddied. For example saying, ‘can you tidy your toys please’ instead of, ‘can you put your toys in the box and your books in the drawer’.
Slowly Increase Time During Activities
When trying to improve their attention span, you should try to do it gradually over a period of time. Start with doing an activity with them for 1 minute at a time for a month, then increase it to 2 minutes and so on. Eventually, with that gradual bit of practice, you’ll find they’re able to stay engaged for longer periods of time.
Intervene Early
Watch your child for warning signs if they are about to become overstimulated or act out and use those signs to intervene. You can do this by distracting them with something else or leading them away from the source of their frustration.
Fidget Toys
There’s a growing understanding of ADHD, and with that has come a strong variety of fidget toys for little ones. There are so many good fidget toys out there! Ones that I find myself using and playing with sometimes too.
They are perfect for your child if they are constantly playing with random bits around them. Some children with ADHD end up playing with unhygienic things like wrappers, tissues, and anything in close proximity. You can help them to curb the urge and redirect their attention. You can find them in toy shops like Smyths, or find them on Amazon pretty cheaply!
Where To Go For Help For Under 5’s With ADHD
It may seem scary or worrying to think your child might have ADHD but the best thing that you, as a parent, can do if you are worried is to talk to your GP. They aren’t able to diagnose children, but they can offer you support and guide you to the next steps of getting help.
Many parents worry about their children getting labelled. And while I completely understand, the label only means that your child will be able to receive help and thrive in the future. If your child is within a nursery or school setting another great resource to use is the designated SENco (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) who is there to support you and your child through the process.
Thanks To Our Guest Expert: Charlotte Rebbeck
Charlotte Rebbeck is a trained nursery practitioner with 8 years of experience working with children. She has a L2 Certificate in Understanding Autism and uses her knowledge to highlight any concerns she has about SEN needs to parents who have children that attend nursery. When she’s not at the nursery, she spends her time cosying up with a book, getting creative with a range of different arty hobbies, or hanging out with her dog Lance.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
Maybe your little one’s been invited to a party or wants to go trick-or-treating for the very first time. If you’re anything like us at Team Happity, you’ll want some last-minute ideas up your sleeve!
So check out our top 41 last-minute Halloween costume ideas for inspiration.
Looking for a (not so spooky) Halloween class or event to do with your little one this October? We’ve got you covered on Happity! Search for a class here.
Outfits for children at Halloween can be as colourful and simple as you like. So if your little one loves pink or purple, hats or tutus, then go for it! You probably have a number of costumes sitting in your house already waiting to be rediscovered.
Here are a few examples of what you can turn simple items of clothing into!
Witch
All you need is some basic clothing, like leggings and a top.
You can get a Meg the witch look here by making this witch hat with a brim and decorating with stars or stickers. Add an optional cape and a broom/stick, and voilà!
If you have a tutu lying around, then you can easily create this witch outfit from Room on the Broom.
For a Hermione costume, an old cardigan over white shirt is a great base to start with. Add a striped tie or scarf and your little one will look fit to attend lessons at Hogwarts!
Wizard
Any oversized t-shirt or dress (adult sizes will come up nice and long on children) is ideal for flowing robes or a cape.
A simple cone will make a great wizard’s hat. You can cut a hole in a paper plate and slot the cone into it if you want a rim.
All you need for a convincing ghost is a hooded towel or white sheet. Attach black circles for the eyes and mouth.
Or you can go full Ghostbuster-style with a brown top, trousers and backpack.
Glasses, polo-necks, cardigans are easy to adapt for some Scooby-doo action!
Dragon
If your little one is a ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ fan, grab some dark clothing and a beanie hat. Green circles will work for eyes, and you can add ears and wings. Introducing…Toothless!
Check out our previous World Book Day post as there may be other characters you can adapt for Halloween.
Star Wars Characters – A Jedi Robe Right In Your Bedroom
Again, sheets or adult-sized clothing can make suitable robes here.
For Yoda or Luke/Anakin Skywalker, you can repurpose a Taekwondo dobok or Karate gi. Use a glow-stick if you don’t have a sword or lightsaber.
Superhero Characters
Try Batman and other comic book heroes. Use joggers and dark clothing for the base layer and add accessories like bat symbols, facepaint, masks and capes.
7 Easy Animal Costumes To Reuse For Halloween
Depending on what you have hanging round in your dressing-up box, you might have a Tiger Who Came For Tea or Gruffalo costume all ready to be used again.
Hairbands are also great to repurpose for any sort of animal costume. Add ears for a lion, cat or bat.
Here’s an easy cat costume using leggings, a long-sleeved top and leotard/tutu.
If your child likes the Meg and Mog books you could try an owl or cat with striped top and wire coat hanger tail to look like Mog. Or even a giant spider!
7 Ways To Accessorise Their Outfit
A witch or wizard’s hat will transform an everyday dress into a costume. If you don’t have one to hand, try making this simple hat with a brim. You can decorate with stickers or stars.
Adding a mask can turn a simple black outfit into a bat or cat.
Toy spiders, or soft toys are ideal accessories to your child’s fancy dress.
If your child is into Lego or Minecraft, look for some inspiration here. Your child can help decorate the box with felt-tips – home-made is all the rage. Is your child a Numberblock, castle or spooky last-minute delivery?
Here’s a retro idea for a cardboard box Dalek. This costume idea using a rubbish bin is probably slightly less last-minute, but is great for style ideas!
For the truly time-pressed, go simple. Here’s a basic skeleton, just painted on,
Or why not just dress up as a cardboard box? This will have all the neighbours scratching their heads!
You can download a blank template to add your own ideas, or you may have masks from parties hanging around.
Here’s an idea for how to turn a blank mask into a superhero mask. Add a red t-shirt, belt and strips of fabric for wrist guards and you’re good to go!
Also check out this DIY Darth Vader mask/puppet which your little one can hold up in front of their face.
2 Recycling Ideas
Even last-minute, you should be able to pick up something as often people dig out an old costume while looking for new inspiration. Try charity shops for costumes – often there will be a whole rail dedicated to Halloween at this time of year.
Second-hand sites like Facebook Marketplace, Vinted or your local reuse site are bound to have some clothing or accessories you could use.
Which Halloween costumes are easy to make?
The Batman, cat and witch/wizard costumes mentioned above are all really easy makes for Halloween.
What If My Child Doesn’t Want To Dress Up For A Halloween Party?
Make sure that you reassure your little ones that they don’t have to if they don’t want to. At the end of the day, dressing up for Halloween is meant to be fun, and if it causes strife and tears, then it’s not worth it.
If you want to try and find a happy middle-ground, you could suggest that they wear their pyjamas (chances are you have some already with stars, sparkly bits, or planets) or a favourite any-time-of-year party outfit. You could take along some extra bits to accessorise – jewellery, glow sticks, a toy pumpkin or soft-toy cat/bat/. Your child may want a familiar toy or object to hand. It won’t matter to other children at the party what your child wears – children just love being themselves and will be pleased to see them no matter what.
Check here for Halloween classes happening near you.
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
If you want your children to be more independent and in touch with nature, then Viking parenting could be for you!
You’ve probably heard of the expression, “There’s no such thing as the wrong weather, just the wrong clothes.” Viking parenting promotes resilience, self-reliance, healthy risk-taking (like climbing trees), connecting with nature, physical fitness and quality family time.
Spending time outdoors in nature has huge health and social benefits, so why not embrace the Scandi lifestyle?
Looking for fun activities with your baby or toddler? There are thousands of classes and groups on Happity. Find one you’ll love here.
What Is The Scandinavian Way Of Parenting?
With children in most Scandinavian countries not starting school until they are six (or seven in Finland), they have plenty of time to explore nature and play. In Sweden, many children go to “nature school” on a Saturday and studies show that Scandinavia has the happiest children.
You may have heard of ‘helicopter parenting’ where the parent hovers around the child and helps. Well, Viking parenting is the opposite of helicopter parenting. Icelandic parents actually call helicopter parenting ‘curling’ parenting – like sweeping a broom in front of a child to make the ice smoother (as in the Olympic sport).
What Does Viking Parenting Look Like In Practice?
In an article for The Guardian, Helen Russell, mother of three, describes how she has ‘accidentally’ become a parent of Vikings while living in Denmark. Her children come home smelling of woodsmoke and wanting saws as (2nd) birthday presents!
She talks about seven ways in which Scandi parenting defines parent and childhood, including embracing nature in all weathers (you just need appropriate clothing), busting stress through communal singing, and teaching children how to think, rather than what to think. She also warns against ‘over-praise’ to help develop a healthy sense of self-esteem and explains how family mealtimes are put before work.
How Are Play And Family Central To Viking Parenting?
Play, in all its forms, is central to the Scandinavian parenting style and playfighting is valued as a way of learning cooperation and conflict resolution. Children also learn about – and are exposed to – many, many different family units so they accept how families can be very different. Did you know that in Denmark “there are 37 different types of family unit” while in Iceland, 67% of births are outside of marriage?
Could I Be A Viking Parent?
You could argue that the pandemic has helped parents and children embrace the natural world and what’s immediately on our doorstep even more. Parents had to make do with what was available (it’s amazing what you can do with a backyard of fallen leaves) and the simple things, like climbing trees, walking and collecting natural materials for craft, made a bit of a comeback.
If your little one regularly spends time outdoors in all weathers, then you’re probably halfway to being a Viking parent yourself. Or maybe your little one regularly naps outside (with plenty of warm clothing and blankets) in the pram?
Perhaps they go to forest school or an outdoor nature group, or maybe heading outdoors rather than switching on a device is your default parenting style. Throw in some camping trips where your children stay up until 10pm and you probably qualify as a Scandi parent already.
How Can I Be More Scandinavian In My Parenting Style?
If you want to embrace Scandinavian parenting, try some of the following:
Let children play as much as possible, inside and outside.
Encourage some balanced risk-taking, like climbing trees and trying different play equipment.
Invest in waterproof trousers, clothing, base layers like thermals, and gloves for all weathers.
Try camping (this could just be in the back garden).
Sign up to 1000 Hours Outside for more ideas and ways of tracking your time outside as a family.
Let children playfight with siblings/friends rather than stepping in straightaway.
Encourage your child to be curious about the world by asking ‘how’ and ‘why’, rather than focusing on the ‘correct’ answer.
If you feel you ‘overpraise’ your children, you could maybe try asking fact-based questions like ‘how did you do that?’ and ‘can you tell me more about it?’ to show you’re interested rather than just saying ‘that’s brilliant’.
Aim to eat together at the table at least once a day if possible.
Teach your children about different family units and parenting styles – there are loads of children’s books out there to help.
Sing regularly with your child – even just nursery rhymes. Maybe join a rhyme time group.
If you don’t feel cut out for an outdoor life, you could sign your children up for a weekly outdoor play group or get them on the waiting list for Rainbows, Squirrels or Beavers where they’ll get regular opportunities to be outside and learn skills.
What Are The Different Parenting Styles From Other Countries?
Many cultures (including the Scandinavian countries) value shared mealtimes and so children learn from an early age how to sit, eat and join in with adult conversations.
In hotter countries like Spain and France, children will have siestas just like adults (think of this as not dropping their afternoon nap!), so will often stay up late. They’ll be up and about much later, maybe eating out or going for a walk with their families in the evenings. Think ‘holiday mode’ where your children have later bedtimes, but all year round!
As a seasonally colder country, parents in the UK do have a more of a 9-5 culture where we try and pack as much as we can into those ‘working hours’ and children go to bed earlier as they no longer nap. But did you know that in the past, children (and adults) used to have ‘two sleeps’? They’d go to bed when it got dusk or dark for their ‘first sleep’, then get up around midnight (with candles/oil lamps/by moonlight) to maybe eat something, socialise, or do some jobs for a couple of hours. Then back to bed in the early hours and up again with the sunrise.
So if your toddler or child is sleeping early and waking up for a bit in the small hours, perhaps they’re just reverting to this more innate body clock – try embracing it for a bit as a family and see what happens!
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
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