A family guide to a sensory friendly Halloween

At a glance

• Prepare for a sensory-friendly Halloween. Try on costumes, walk the trick-or-treating route and plan breaks ahead of time to help your child know what to expect.

• Choose ways to celebrate that fit your child. Offer visual cue cards for trick-or-treating without speaking, or try a quieter treasure hunt, crafts or a movie at home.

• Use technology to help your family stay connected. Plan check-ins together and use location sharing through a Gizmo Watch or the Verizon Family app to support your Halloween plans.

Since my son was diagnosed with autism at age 4, I’ve been learning how to navigate childhood milestones, including Halloween.

While my now 10-year-old son loves the spirit of the season, traditional trick-or-treating can quickly trigger sensory overload. There are flashing lights, jump scares and the unspoken rule that you must talk to strangers to get a treat. Plus there are groups of other children screaming, laughing and chaotically navigating neighborhoods.

My son is very clear: He’ll gladly take the candy, but he isn’t interested in trick-or-treating. Fortunately, my parents live nearby, and he can hang out with them while I take his younger sister out into the night to hunt for  yummy, tasty treats.

Some families don’t have that option. Or maybe their neurodivergent child still wants to participate. Whatever Halloween looks like for you and your family, celebrating can mean prioritizing comfort, routine and flexibility.

Here are my top tips and alternative activities for a sensory-friendly Halloween, plus simple tech tools to keep families connected every step of the way.

Do a test drive in their full costume. Sensory sensitivities can involve textures, tags or tight fits. Practice by having your child wear their costume around the house before Halloween night. If the outfit feels too claustrophobic or itchy, swap it out for clothes your child already loves. Comfort always wins!

Establish a visual route and check-in points. If your child thrives on routine, unpredictability can cause stress. Walk your trick-or-treating path ahead of time during the day. If your child craves independence with their siblings, consider a Gizmo Watch 4. This kid-friendly smartwatch offers GPS location sharing, boundary alerts, watch-removal alerts and parent-approved contacts, all managed through the Verizon Family app — meaning you can give them freedom while keeping an eye on their location.

Use visual timers and build in breaks. If your child wants to participate in the festivities, but only for a short time, use a timer like the one on the Gizmo Watch 4. This gives them a visual reminder of when they can take a break or head home.

Prepare nonverbal communication tools. If your child is nonspeaking or is easily overwhelmed when put on the spot, don’t force a verbal “trick-or-treat!” Practice using visual cue cards, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, or have them carry a sign.

Set up family location sharing. For neurodivergent children who tend to wander when overstimulated, staying connected is a non-negotiable. With the Verizon Family Plus app, you can connect their phone or Gizmo Watch 4 to the app and check their location.

Pack a sensory safety kit. Bring noise-canceling headphones to dull loud noises, a small flashlight to illuminate uneven sidewalks and a favorite fidget toy to soothe anxiety while waiting on crowded doorsteps.

Sensory-friendly alternatives to trick-or-treating

Trick-or-treating isn’t the only way to make memories. These sensory-friendly Halloween activities provide a range of alternatives that could work for you and your child.

• Visit a neighborhood trunk-or-treat. This is a fantastic alternative to traditional trick-or-treating, where kids collect candy in the parking lot of a local school, church or community center. It’s significantly less walking, you can scout the setup in advance, control how long you stay and avoid dark walkways or scary house decorations. Look for community events hosted during daylight hours or those specifically designated as sensory-friendly.
• Host an at-home glow-in-the-dark treasure hunt. Skip the chaotic neighborhood walks and hide candy, small glow sticks or sensory toys around your living room or backyard. It gives kids the thrill of hunting for treats in a controlled, safe environment.
• Stream a Halloween-worthy movie. Set up a cozy blanket fort, dim the lights and stream Halloween classics. With Verizon’s Home Internet plans, choose the plan that works best for your family,  you can add streaming perks for an additional monthly charge, including Netflix & HBO Max (With Ads) or Disney+, Hulu, ESPN+ (With Ads). Check if Verizon Home Internet is available near you.
• Build a Halloween craft station. Turn Halloween into a tactile experience by decorating festive cookies, making flavored popcorn or painting pumpkins instead of carving them.

From treats to tricks, Halloween should be a night of joy and inclusion for every child, no matter how they experience the world. By focusing on comfort, setting clear expectations, and using technology to keep everyone connected, we can create traditions that fit the unique needs of all our little pumpkins.

Happy Halloween from our family to yours!

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