How to Talk to your Kids about Halloween

Whether or not you choose to participate in halloween, as parents, we need to be prepared to talk with our kids about halloween and why we have chosen the way we have.

We also need to prepare our kids for what they might hear, see, or encounter.

Because our kids are in public school this year, we know that we will be faced with the reality of halloween. Whether it is at school, driving through the neighborhood, or out and about in our town, our children will see things we don’t want them to see, hear things we might not agree with, and be confronted with realities we wish they didn’t have to face. 

We believe our responsibility and opportunity as parents is to talk with our kids about halloween.

Halloween is not just any other day.

Talking with YOUNG kids about halloween ::

When we are talking with young kids about halloween, we will do well to remember a few realities in their young worlds —

• Young kids can not distinguish between fantasy and reality. We know the cartoon on the television is the work of someone’s imagination, but our 3 year old son does not. In the same way, we know that the werewolf walking toward us is a kid in a costume, but our young child thinks it is real. Our job as parents is to guard the hearts of our children. What will we allow them to see, hear, and feel? Will we block and filter what goes in when they are still too young to do this for themselves? Will we guide them as they learn to think and evaluate for themselves? {*If you have young kids, consider not participating in halloween or attend an alternative activity (church event, neighborhood event, etc.) to guard their minds and hearts from the images they see and to limit the amount of scary costumes and decorations they will see.}
• When talking with young kids, it is helpful to use words like spiritual influences or bad things rather than focusing too much on the words demons and darkness, which might further frighten our children.

 

---

Though you may or may not agree with what I share about Pokemon, I share some very helpful questions for parents to use as we seek to discern what influences to allow in our children’s lives. CLICK HERE to read the post.

---

For really young kids, we start simple. We might say something like this ::

—> “Sweet thing, that is scary isn’t it! On halloween, some people focus on things that make us afraid, but we have God as our Protector! He is always with us, and when we feel afraid, we can put our trust in Him!”

• Scripture :: “When I am afraid, I will trust in You.” Psalm 56:3

—> “Little One, some people choose to focus on dark or scary things, and we see that a lot at halloween. But do you know what the great news is? Jesus! Jesus is the LIGHT of the world and when we walk with Jesus, He promises that we won’t walk in darkness. HE will be our light!”

• Scripture :: “Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12

—> “My Son, some people focus on or celebrate death this way, but as Christians, we celebrate life because we know that Jesus has power even over death! He rose from the dead and gives us life, too, and when we believe in Jesus for our salvation, He promises that we will live forever with Him in heaven where there isn’t any fear or pain or sickness!

• Scripture :: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. (John 14:6)
• Scripture :: He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4)

Talking with Kids About halloween

As you prepare to talk with your children —

• Pray through what you will share.
• Listen to them. Don’t just talk at them.
• Read the accompanying verses together and ask your kids how God is speaking to them.
• Arm yourselves with Truth by choosing a verse or two to memorize together.

Talking points to discuss halloween with your children 

• Should we participate in halloween?
  • Verses to Consider :: Jeremiah 10:2, Romans 12:2, Romans 14
• We don’t have to be afraid or superstitious.
  • Verses to Consider :: John 12:46, John 14:27, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 10:28, 1 John 5:18, Romans 8:31, 1 John 4:1-4, 18, 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 13:6, Luke 1:74
• We celebrate LIFE, not death.
  • Verses to Consider :: John 10:7-18, John 11:25-26, 2 Timothy 1:10, John 3:16, 1 Thessalonians 5:5-10, Hebrews 2:14-15
• We need to guard our minds.
  • Verses to Consider ::  — Proverbs 4:23, Psalm 101:3, Colossians 3:2, Philippians 4:8, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (watch, look it, dwell on, talk about, celebrate)
• We are set apart.
  • Verses to Consider :: Psalm 101:3, Romans 12:2 & 9, James 1:27, 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, 3 John 1:11, Deuteronomy 18:9-14, Ephesians 5:11-16, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Matthew 5:16

One more thing — Parents, it is helpful for us to be preemptive in our conversations with our children. We can help them be prepared ahead of time when they are in a situation where they feel uncomfortable. What can they say or how can they respond when they feel uncomfortable or when they DON’T want to participate in an activity or event? What should they say? What can they do? Who can they call?

Talking through scenarios ahead of time will give our children courage, practice, and a way to follow through on his own convictions.

 

Question for You:

How do you prepare your kids for what they will hear, see, and experience during the days of halloween?

 

Resources for You:

• Halloween :: The Choice Our Christian Family Has Made
• How to talk to your kids about halloween
• A Former witchdoctor shares his experience in a haunted house
• A Biblical and Historical Look at Halloween (from Answers in Genesis)
• Halloween alternatives that still open your home and hearts to neighbors
• How to pray during halloween 
• Christians and Halloween (from Grace to You)
• Children’s books for halloween
• Christian tracts to use during halloween

SaveSave