Happy Halloween!

By Cara Yochai, PT, DPT

“Magic is really very simple. All you’ve got to do is want something and then let yourself have it.” – Aggie Cromwell, Halloweentown

Autumn has officially arrived. The weather is cooler, the days are shorter, the leaves are changing color and beginning to fall.  

Autumn is such an exciting time to participate in outdoor activities as a family: apple picking, pumpkin decorating, and of course trick-or-treating.

• Apple picking:

  • Hold your child up and see how far they can reach for an apple to pull off the tree.  This will challenge their motor planning, strength, and balance

• Pumpkin Decorating:

  • Finger paint to increase tactile input and exposure to different textures and temperatures

  • Use a paint brush to work on more precise fine motor skills, controlling the force of movement, and coordinating the strokes to create one coherent picture

Halloween is a fun time to get creative.

• Create a costume from things that you have around the house

  • Cardboard box→ racecar

  • Wrapping paper →present

  • Bubble wrap → bubble, balloon

• Include adaptive equipment in costume

  • Wheelchairs→ racecar, airplane

  • Walkers→ Hang items from the walker that can help complete the costume!

Classic Halloween games are always a hit!

• Bobbing for apples: no hands please

• Cover empty cans or jars and put scary creepy crawlers inside

  • Peeled grapes make great slimy eyeballs

  • Wet spaghetti as intestines

  • Wet cotton balls as brains

Let your imagination go wild!

It is important to note that not all children enjoy the hustle and bustle of Halloween.  Please be mindful of how your child may react to the noise, commotion, and to “monsters.”

Have a fun and safe Halloween.

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