Halloween is a fun holiday for all ages. Dressing up, eating candy, what’s not to like? However, for kids, it can take a bit of a toll on the ever-so-precious sleep schedule. That’s what we are here to help you with! To show you that it is possible to have all the normal fun that comes with holidays while maintaining your entire family's sleep schedule. If you plan a bit ahead for your Halloween festivities with your family, there will be more time for fun and less opportunity for sleepy tantrums (for both parents and kids).
Depending on your children's’ age, sleep on Halloween can be handled in different ways. For those children who are a little bit too young to go out trick-or-treating, a good night sleep can be jeopardized by a sleep-disrupting trick-or-treater doorbell ring. To avoid this problem, try using a white-noise machine to drown out any outside noises. This could also come in handy for adults looking to get an early good night’s sleep.
Plan ahead. Halloween can be so exciting for children. The excitement alone can cause them to lose sleep, even during the nights leading up to the holiday. It’s important to make sure your child is getting enough sleep as Halloween approaches. This could mean longer naps or earlier bedtimes.
Another great way to prevent loss of quality sleep for your child on Halloween is to put a candy bowl on the front porch for trick-or-treaters. Place a nice sign next to the bowl that asks the trick-or-treaters to avoid ringing the doorbell because your baby is sleeping.
It is also important to be aware of your child’s normal sleep routine, even on holiday nights such as Halloween. If you have younger trick-or-treaters, pay attention to the clock and try taking them out earlier in the evening, leaving time to get to bed close to their normal hour.
Taking out the kids to trick-or-treat early in the evening can take some of the fun out of it if there are no other kids out and about. If this is the case, try looking for alternatives. Many zoos, arboretums, malls, and shopping centers put together a fun treat route that you can take your younger baby or child on earlier in the day. Some are even in the morning. This will give them a chance to have fun with other kids, get some sweets, and get to sleep at their normal hour.
Finally, try to limit the sweets immediately following trick or treating. All the goodies don’t need to be eaten all at once! This goes for both kids and parents. Sugar is linked to hyperactivity which should be avoided before bed for all ages.
Quality sleep is vital for all ages. Holidays are often exceptions when it comes to sticking to a sleep schedule. This is a part of life! However, there are ways to prevent skipping your sleep routine while still having your usual holiday fun with friends and family! Keep the above tips in mind when Halloween comes around!