Halloween is one of my favourite celebrations! but for some, it’s a sensory storm. Here’s how we can make it gentler, safer, and still great fun

🎃 Costumes, crowds, and tonnes of sweets! Halloween is full of unusual sights, sounds, and surprises. But for children with sensory differences, it can feel more like chaos than celebration.

Research from UCC highlights how Halloween flips the sensory script: “Spontaneity, surprise, darkness, lack of control… the changing presentation of familiar people” can be deeply unsettling. Add in scratchy costumes, flashing lights, and unexpected doorbell rings, and you’ve got a recipe for overload.

In Ireland, the HSE and NCSE both stress the importance of understanding sensory processing. Children with heightened sensory responses may struggle to filter noise, tolerate textures, or adapt to unpredictable environments. And in the UK, occupational therapists echo this stating that Halloween can trigger fight-or-flight reactions in children who feel overwhelmed. So what can we do?

• 👻 Keep costumes comfy: Soft fabrics, familiar clothes, or even themed pyjamas can be just as effective.

• 🕯️ Plan ahead: Visual schedules or social stories help children know what to expect.

• 🍬 Trick-or-treat alternatives: A quiet home scavenger hunt or sensory-friendly party can be just as fun.

• 🧡 Let them opt out: Inclusion doesn’t mean participation, it means respecting their needs.

Halloween should be about fun & happiness, not stress. With a few tweaks, we can make it a celebration that feels safe, fun, and inclusive,

for every child.