Have you ever tried to organize a costume party for 20 very excited kiddos? Talk about things that make you go bump in the night! While Halloween is always a fun time of year, it can wildly chaotic for parents and families trying to double double toil and trouble their way to a magical evening their kids will always remember.
As a nanny or babysitter, this spooky season is when families need your help the most. Whether it be coordinating costumes, carving jack-o-laterns, or stocking up for trick-or-treaters, you’ll be an invaluable part of the team effort it takes to pull off a ghoulishly great Halloween.
Here are 10 ways you can help families banish the Halloween baddies so everyone can have a spook-tacular time.
Looking for more devilishly delightful ideas? Check out Care.com’s Guide to Halloween.
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Start the Halloween Fun
As a babysitter or a nanny, you’re in the perfect position to summon the Halloween spirit with games, worksheets, art projects, and activities.“To make holidays special, I’ve done a number of activities that can be tweaked for each season,” says Becky Kavanagh, co-president of the International Nanny Association and a nanny with over 20 years of experience. She suggests that babysitters and nannies try to arrange a variety of different activities, such as themed treasure hunts where children find and follow clues that lead to a prize.
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Make Holiday Crafts
Honestly, who doesn’t LOVE a good autumnal craft. Fall-themed finger painting and carving pumpkins are great arts and crafts projects to do with kids, and even better mementos for parents to save for years to come. They help pass the time and encourage the kiddos to express themselves in a creepy crawly creative way!Says Jessica Stroop, a Maryland mom of three, “We have a super nanny…who will take the kids to Michael’s and get special crafts, or to the dollar store to get decorations for special parties.”
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Pick Up a Pumpkin
While the trip to the local pumpkin patch is fun for families, this is definitely an item on every parent’s fall to-do list that a babysitter or nanny can take over. Walk around the patch with the kids, take some pictures for their parents, and bring home a few pumpkins for the family to carve together!Before heading out, check out these 10 Tips for Picking the Perfect Pumpkin.
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Bake and Decorate
Cooking with children is a recipe for fun. Not only does it provide kids with an educational, hands-on activity that leaves them with a sense of accomplishment, but it also solves snack time for the day! If a child needs to bring a special treat to a school or neighborhood Halloween party, you can help kids find and create a cool new recipe.Want to help the house get in costume? Use these 31 Halloween Decoration Ideas.
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Get Ahead of the Game
Balancing hectic schedules and busy days can be stressful enough for parents. This tends to get amplified during any holiday season. So, one of the best ways that you can help around Halloween-time is by staying one step ahead of them.On Halloween, Stroop is especially grateful for her nanny having already fed the kids and gotten them into their costumes when she arrives home from work, so they can go right out the door to trick-or-treat before it gets too dark or too late.
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Volunteer at School Celebrations
“Oftentimes, parents aren’t available to help in the classroom or school, but nannies are,” explains Kavanagh. During the busy Halloween season, she suggests that babysitters or nannies (with their employers’ approvals) consider offering their time and expertise to the kids’ teachers or PTA members. For example, you could volunteer to help set up the classroom for a Halloween party, or even plan a costume contest. “They will appreciate you, your employer will appreciate you, and the children will have great memories.” -
Complete Extra Chores and Errands
Both Kavanagh and Stroop feel that actually caring for the child should always be the main focus of any babysitter or nanny’s attention and efforts. But, during busy times like Halloween, family chores and light errands often get swept to the side. If you offer to help parents with these types of small tasks during the day, “it saves me from making multiple trips and I can spend more time with my kids rather than running around in my car,” says Stroop.Although it may mean more work for you, picking up some extra slack around the house helps you prove to the parents that you’re considerate, independent, and willing to go the extra mile to help their kids. Don’t think that it’ll go unnoticed.
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Picking Out Costumes
Shopping for costumes can make parents want to howl at the moon. So, consider offering to take the kids on this (sometimes gruesome) mission yourself. Not only would you help ensure that the kiddos have an awesome Halloween, but you’d also give the parents a little time back in their day. Plus, it’d be a great opportunity for you to showcase your dependability and thoughtfulness.Make sure to send pictures to mom and dad for the final okay, and have the kids get into character in a fashion show when they arrive home!
As you shop, consider these 10 Tips for Picking a Costume.
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Pre-Halloween Trick-or-Treat
Malls, outdoor shopping centers, and community centers oftentimes offer daytime trick-or-treat activities geared toward getting even the littlest ghosts to join in on Halloween fun before bedtime. Look online for kid-friendly Halloween events in your area.
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Provide a Safety Lesson
Safety is the top priority when it comes to trick or treating. Work with the parents to come up with a ghoulish game plan before the big night. Also, take the time to practice safety precautions with the kids. These are both very important ways that you can help make sure everyone has a safe and spooky time.Share these Top 5 Halloween Safety Tips.
And remember: If parents are asking you to do extra chores and go above and beyond what , make sure to add a little extra to her paycheck as a thank you.
This article was a collaboration between Amanda McNamara and Jillian Amodio. Jillian is an author and freelance writer who lives in Maryland. See more of her work here.
