My introduction to the history of Halloween took place in 1991, at the tender age of 4. My brothers were calling my name to come into the room they were in and that was where I met a creepy little doll named “Chucky.” Being the youngest of 5 children, AND being the only girl, most Halloweens were filled with a lot more tricks than treats.
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Halloween should be a fun and spooky holiday that many children eagerly anticipate each year. Beyond the costumes and candy, it’s an opportunity to teach kids about the rich history and intriguing traditions associated with this festive occasion.
Using the value of history of how things originated, children are able to to use their new found knowledge to take some of the fear out of a very fun holiday.
In this blog post, we will explore ways to educate children about the origins and customs of Halloween in an engaging and age-appropriate manner.
The Origins of Halloween
An obvious place to start would be to explain how and when Halloween originated. Halloween was first celebrated in America in the 1840’s when Irish immigrants came here trying to escape the potato famine.
Originally a Celtic tradition, Halloween is based on the harvest season festival called Samhain. This day in Gaelic tradition was thought to be the start of winter. A time when people believed the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred.
Oftentimes, large bonfires were used to ward off evil spirits. Masks were worn so that those who were living would not be recognized by any malicious spirits. Hence, our super fun costumes!
- Lee, Sally (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 24 Pages – 08/01/2015 (Publication Date) – Capstone Press (Publisher)
Jack-o’-Lanterns
Decorate pumpkins while telling the tale of Stingy Jack and how pumpkin carving came about.
Make a contest out of it! To keep it fun and light, see who can decorate the pumpkin that they think would make Stingy Jack laugh the most!
The History of Trick-or-Treating
Explain how the tradition of trick-or-treating began as a way to offer food to wandering spirits during Samhain. Later, it transformed into a fun activity where children collect candy.
A fun project for this history lesson is making DIY Halloween Trick-or-Treat bags while discussing each persons favorite candy!
*Side-note, if you are a Whoppers lover I just want to know what is wrong with your taste buds…
Contemplate Halloween Costumes
Discuss how costumes originated from the belief that wearing disguises would protect people from ghosts and other supernatural beings.
Encourage children to choose their costumes based on what they find fun or interesting.
Have each kid decorate a mask while you come up with some costume ideas for the upcoming holiday. Wear these masks around the house every so often in the month of October to reiterate that costumes and masks are just a way to have fun and pretend.
Tell Fun Ghost Stories
Get a few healthy halloween snacks, light the fire and have fun sharing age appropriate ghost stories. You can even make up your own spooky tales for younger children.
Irish storytelling, oftentimes called folklore, are filled with so many stories that have been passed down through each generation, with various versions of each.
Explain Halloween Symbols
My daughter HATES spiders, and I don’t blame her. Now is the perfect time to explain to your little ones all of the classic Halloween symbols like cats, bats, and spiders.
For example, the reason bats are typically associated with Halloween also dates back to the Celtic tradition of Samhain. The large bonfires that were created on Halloween night would attract bugs. Which in turn would attract bats. This little history lesson can also be used as a little circle of life lesson if you want it to, lol.
Take this lesson as an opportunity to explain superstitions. They are meant to be fun and carefree, much like the rest of the halloween traditions!
Teach Cultural Variations of The Holiday
It is important to let your children know that not everyone celebrates Halloween. Educate them that some cultures celebrate “Halloween” differently than they might.
I will always remember as a kid how the neighbors across the street would turn all of their lights off on Halloween and never allow their children to participate in any Halloween activities. As a kid, I thought it was weird, but now as an adult, I understand that it wasn’t weird and they just had a different set of beliefs than my family.
My kids love the movie Coco, which has taught them about the Mexican tradition Dia De Los Muertas, or Day of The Dead. Many families build altars, called ofrendas, in their homes in order to honor loved ones who have passed.
Remember to educate your kids in a way that they not only understand, but can remain respectful. Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos ARE different holidays that belong to different cultures and should be explained as such.
This conversation is a great way to open the door to discussions about cultural appropriation. Only if it is age appropriate of course.
Safety Awareness
Lastly, but perhaps most important, emphasize the importance of safety during Halloween. As it is out of the ordinary for our family to be wandering the streets at night, as I assume it is for most of you, having the halloween safety conversation is necessary.
Talk about crossing streets carefully, staying in well-lit areas, and not eating unwrapped candy.
Halloween is more than just a night of costumes and candy. It’s an opportunity to learn about history, culture, and traditions.
Share the fascinating origins and the history of Halloween with your children. You can enrich their understanding of this beloved holiday and foster a deeper appreciation for its significance beyond the spooky fun.
Happy Halloween!
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