The Spooky Times

Celebrating Halloween with toddlers brings a certain element of innocence to the mix. With a toddler, it may not be possible to go out and party like you normally would, and trick or treating can get tiresome for your toddler very quickly. Safety is always an issue with toddlers as they are very naive and can be scared very easily. Here are some top tips to keep your toddler safe and still enjoy the holiday.

* Avoid scary costumes. Children, especially toddlers, are prone to night frights. It is also very difficult, if not impossible, for toddlers to separate reality from the “monsters” that they may see walking around. If you plan to dress up, make sure your child knows that it is you behind the costume and keep the costume simple; for example, go easy on the make-up.

* Trick or treating may not be the best idea with a toddler. If you do decide to take your toddler trick or treating, keep the trip short and visit just a few houses on your block. If your friends and family live close by, it is a good idea to visit those houses as your toddler will be more at ease with them than a stranger’s house. Any more than that and your toddler may not only lose interest, the costumes may also cause your toddler to panic.

* Hold a party at your house. This is a great way to enjoy the holiday and still keep it relatively simple for your toddler. Holding a party at your house as opposed to going to someone else’s party means that you can set the terms for your party and keep it toddler friendly. Invite other people who you know have toddlers to enjoy a mellow, yet festive Halloween party.

* Candy is a big issue when it comes to protecting your toddlers. Toddlers are not aware that some candies may be too hard for them to chew and pose a potential choking hazard. Keeping your child away from the candy bowl, however, can prove to be a bit of a challenge. Make sure the candy bowl is out of reach and that older children and adults know not to give your child any candy without approval from you. It is always best to be near your child just in case.

Halloween can be fun for toddlers but safety must play an important role. Toddlers are usually not able to separate reality from the costumes that may be around, causing your child to panic. Trick or treating is not usually a long event with toddlers, if you do choose to take them out. Visiting the houses of friends and family will help to keep your toddler at ease while still enjoying the trick or treating.

Holding a party at your house is a great way to keep your toddler safe, yet enjoy the holiday. Always make sure that your child is not able to reach the candy bowl should they grab a hard piece of candy that may pose a choking hazard. By following these tips, you are not only protecting your toddler, but making sure they are able to join in on the Halloween fun as well.

There’s an eerie chill in the air. Witches and goblins galore roam the streets. There’s a low, keening wail that sends shivers through even the most stalwart of us. On this one night of the year when the spookiest of the spooky come out by the hundreds, the tricks can be as plentiful as the treats.

But who says that Halloween has to be about the fright? There can be lighthearted laughter, too – and you would fit right in by selecting one of the funny mens Halloween costume ideas listed below.

Nothing could be as sunshine bright as the Man in the Yellow Hat costume. You’ll get everything needed to be the laugh of the party. If you’re going with someone else, get a curious monkey costume to go along with yours.

You can elicit laugher and fade into the background by getting the Where’s Waldo costume. In this shirt, hat and glasses, you’ll certainly ‘blend’ right in. Remember the comic strip Spy vs. Spy? Well now you can get either the black or the white costume and join in on the antics of MAD’s most popular spies.

Another funny men’s Halloween costume choice includes the Super Mario Bros Nintendo costume, which is the jumpsuit with the inflatable belly, the mustache, gloves and hat. For a duo idea, have your friend or partner dress as Luigi.

How about the Cat in the Hat? Dr. Seuss’s stories were always good for a laugh or two and now you can bring that laughter on Halloween night by dressing in the Cat in the Hat Thing 1 costume.

The bright red fleece jumpsuit is perfect for creating a lighter bit of mayhem on the spooky night. Don’t forget if you’re looking for a friend’s costume, to suggest the Thing 2.

Animal costumes can be quite funny and the Comfy Flying Squirrel costume is sure to elicit some laughter. This cozy jumpsuit and hood only needs some large acorns for adornment for you to enjoy the festivities.

You’ll get a lot of crazy laughter by dressing in the Men’s Straight Jacket Costume – which, by the way, would make a great Hannibal Lector costume, too. Have your friend or loved one dress in a doctor’s coat and tag along!

Funny men’s Halloween costume ideas can also include fruit – and there’s a funny banana just waiting to be picked. This is a lightweight costume that would mingle well with a few apples and oranges!

Another funny costume is one of the favorites among the Muppets – Muppets Gonzo Costume . This bug-eyed character with the hooked nose is bound to bring both applause and laughter. For a group costume outing, have your friends dress as other members of the Muppets gang.

Boys have a lot of imagination and with the right boy’s Halloween costumes, they’ll get plenty of play out of them all year round. Boys love to run and go and do. They love action figures and action games and they love costumes that tap into that active drive.

For example, one of the big hits in costumes with boys is the Clone Trooper costume. This jumpsuit is decorated to look just like the Star Wars Clone Trooper and is very realistic. It also comes with the injected molded mask just like from the Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones movie.

Another favorite bad guy we all enjoyed and one that boys love to pretend to be is Darth Vader and now he can step into those shoes if he’s wearing the Star Wars Darth Vader costume.

This jumpsuit looks just like the one in the movies and even has the control box on the chest. He’ll also get the mask and the flowing cape. Get the light saber and the gloves and he’ll be the best Darth Vader Halloween night has ever seen.

Of course, boy’s Halloween costumes tend to always have a few favorites that stick around year after year and never fade away. One of those favorites is anything ninja related and boys love the appeal of them all. From the Stealth Ninja to the Night Shadow Ninja, boys want them all. Topping the list is the Red Ninja costume from Rubie’s Costume Co.

And let’s not forget Iron Man! The chest actually glows with the Iron Man 2 Mark 6 Classic Muscle costume. The suit adds muscle to the arms and torso and the mask comes included with the outfit. You can add special effects like a Repulsor and gloves.

For boys who like things that go howl in the night, getting him the Werewolf Costume Boy would be right up that dark alley. The outfit comes with a plaid shirt and creepy looking werewolf gloves. The over the head mask adds just the right chill to the entire costume and it’s a look people won’t soon forget on this chill inducing night.

Anyone who knows boys knows that they love to take down the bad guys. Which is exactly what a boy can do in the S.W.A.T. Team Child Costume. The jumpsuit has the boot tops and helmet included. The vest is decorated with a phone, a pair of binoculars and comes with the handcuffs and badge, too.

The best way to find out what your boy would want to choose from among boy’s Halloween costumes is to find out what he becomes in his imagination and you’re sure to find a costume that he’ll love.