Chilly temps can wreak havoc on your costuming ideas! There is not much worse for a kid on Halloween then having to cover up their costume with a winter coat. And even though we can certainly sympathize with our kids, we aren’t going to allow them to wander for 2 hours in 40 degree weather with nothing but a gauzy witch costume to keep them warm! Our Midwest late October weather can occasionally offer up a mild 60 degree night on Halloween. But more often than not it is downright chilly and hovers in the mid 40s or colder.
So how do you find a happy middle ground?
Tip: Remind kids that if they are comfortable and warm, they’ll be able to withstand trick or treating longer, which means – MORE CANDY!
Our family tries to ensure that the kids commit to a Halloween costume by October 1st. This allows plenty of time to plan out what is needed to create that special outfit. It also permits Mom and Dad to do their best to steer the costume choices towards fabrics and designs that will best keep our little ones warm and cozy.
For instance, our Bluey (3 ½) wants to be an astronaut for Halloween. Mom and Dad are quite pleased with this choice as we can absolutely create a fabulous outfit with a base that will utilize a white sweat suit! Our Plum (10 ½) wants to be a ballerina zombie. This is not as simple. But our early time frame again assists as we will have plenty of opportunity to either gently nudge our Plum towards a zombie character that is more “cold weather friendly,” or work with her to see how we can accessorize this outfit for maximum warmth: leg warmers with flannel tights, long sleeve leotard top, etc. And when all else fails, Mom and Dad are sure to pack mittens, hats, and coats in their backpacks to be prepared for the inevitable, “I’m cold!”
How does your family adjust to a nippy Halloween eve?