Halloween with kids goes best when the three big jobs are handled early: the costume, the car for trunk or treat, and a pumpkin night at home. My Moms Must Haves list on Benable has a trunk or treat car kit and two costumes, my Cozy Fall Mom Life list has a carving kit, a craft set, and bonfire gear, and my Peanuts Collectibles list on Amazon has two Great Pumpkin sculptures for the shelf.

Disclosure: some links in this post are affiliate links, including my Benable links, and as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

What should you sort out first for Halloween with kids?

Start with the costume and the trunk or treat kit, because both have to arrive and fit before the night. Pumpkin carving, crafts, and warm layers can wait until the week of. I am a mom of seven in Wichita, Kansas, so the picks below lean toward things that keep a crowd busy without much setup. Every item is on one of my lists, and where my Benable note says something about it, I tell you what the note says.

What is an easy way to decorate a car for trunk or treat?

Start with a kit, not a project. The 4E's Monster Trunk or Treat Car Kit is on my Moms Must Haves list, and my note calls it a fun, easy way to decorate the trunk for our school's trunk-or-treat event without a ton of setup time. Check the listing for what comes in the box and whether it suits your vehicle before you count on it.

What are easy Halloween costumes for a baby or a toddler?

Look for costumes that come on and off quickly. For a baby, my list has the 2 piece Newborn Baby Pumpkin Romper Jumpsuit Set, and my note describes it as a gender-neutral set with a hat, a sweet, simple option for baby's first Halloween photos. For a toddler, the MARVEL Toddler Deluxe Halloween Costume in 3T to 4T is a padded jumpsuit with an attached fabric headpiece, and my note says it is easy to get on and off for trick-or-treating with little ones. Check the size chart on each listing before you order.

What can kids do on a pumpkin night at home?

Give every child a job. The Greatever Halloween Pumpkin Carving Kit, 7 pieces, is on my Cozy Fall Mom Life list, and my note says the sculpting tools actually work on tough pumpkin skin instead of bending like flimsy ones, and that carving night is officially a family tradition now. For the smaller kids, the Winlyn 30 Kits Halloween Pumpkin Craft Set gives everyone their own pumpkin to decorate. My note says there is no fighting over supplies and it keeps little hands busy on a rainy fall afternoon. Carving tools are for adults or closely supervised older kids, and the craft kits are what the little ones can do while you carve.

What gear helps on a cold night out or around a bonfire?

Anything that keeps kids warm, dry, and away from the flames. The 10 pack of 32 inch Smores Marshmallow Sticks comes with a carrying bag, and my note says they are long enough to keep the kids' hands away from the flames. The Large Waterproof Outdoor Stadium Blanket, 80 by 58 inches, has a waterproof backing, so my note says it can go right on damp grass, and it packs down small enough to keep in the trunk. For the grown-up, the Womens Fleece Lined Beanie, Scarf and Gloves Set is described in my note as one grab-and-go set instead of hunting for a matching hat and gloves.

Once it is too dark to be outside, Herd Mentality, a family party game on the same list, is what my note calls our go-to for cozy nights in. My note says it is quick to learn, works for the whole range of ages at our table, and is actually funny.

Which Halloween decor can go on a shelf?

Two Great Pumpkin sculptures from the Peanuts collection: the Bradford Exchange It's The Great Pumpkin musical sculpture and the Bradford Exchange Great Pumpkin lighted sculpture. Both are on my Peanuts Collectibles list on Amazon, which has 8 items in total. They are collectibles, so check each listing for price and size before you decide.

The bottom line on Halloween with kids

Order the costume and the trunk kit first, then add pumpkin night and warm gear closer to the day. I also run Marie Gems, whose catalog includes Halloween designs, so this season is busy in my house for more than one reason. My story and how the days actually work explain how it all fits together. Prices on Amazon and Benable move around, so check each listing before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What is an easy way to decorate a car for trunk or treat?

A kit is the easiest way. My Benable note on the 4E's Monster Trunk or Treat Car Kit calls it a fun, easy way to decorate the trunk for our school's trunk-or-treat event without a ton of setup time. Check the listing for what is included and whether it suits your vehicle.

What Halloween costume is easy to get on and off a toddler?

My Benable note on the MARVEL Toddler Deluxe Halloween Costume in 3T to 4T says the padded jumpsuit with an attached fabric headpiece is easy to get on and off for trick-or-treating with little ones. Check the size chart before you order.

Which pumpkin carving kit works on tough pumpkins?

My Benable note on the Greatever Halloween Pumpkin Carving Kit, 7 pieces, says the sculpting tools actually work on tough pumpkin skin instead of bending like flimsy ones. Carving tools are for adults or closely supervised older kids.