Halloween fun is something that is always on my October bucketlist. Becoming a mom has made the holidays feel magical again. I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. Whether it’s Halloween, Christmas, Thanksgiving… even the Fourth of July, I find myself brainstorming new and exciting ways to make things feel special for my little ones. 

Sometimes, I find myself putting a lot of pressure on my finances to make things perfect for my little ones. But the longer I do this motherhood thing, the more I realize that it isn’t the pricy things that matter to my kids. It’s the effort I put into making the holiday special that they really notice. This year, I’ve vowed to keep my holiday celebrations on a strict budget. I want my kids to love the holidays for easily attainable reasons, not because I broke the bank trying to make it special. 

I mean, think back to your favorite things about the holidays. What do you remember most? I remember gathering with my cousins every Halloween and goofing around their neighborhood. I remember my aunt hand making us all matching costumes. I remember bartering with my siblings and cousins as we traded candy. And, I remember the fun I had just hanging around extended family I didn’t get to see as often as I wanted to.

I want to make this Halloween simple but special, so I’ve been brewing up a recipe for the perfect Halloween celebration for my littles, and thought I’d share it with you. Here are a few ways you can make Halloween magical for your family, no matter what your budget looks like this year!

Budget-Friendly Halloween Fun

1. Make Some Spooky Crafts from Things You Find in Your Home or Backyard

Make some spooky fun with some things you probably have hanging around your own home. You can get as creative as you want with this. Don’t know where to start? Here are few ideas for Halloween DIY’s you don’t have to run to the craft store for.

• Paint pumpkins
• Make a Ghost and Bat Banner out of String and Painted Leaves (like these)
• Turn Sticks into Magical Witch’s Wands
• Create Your Own Magical Witch’s Potions
• Make Spooky Salt Dough Ornaments

2. DIY Your Halloween Costumes

Let’s be honest- Halloween costumes are way to expensive for what they are. I mean, I can barely convince my kids to wear theirs any longer than an hour, so why would I not want to DIY a Halloween costume? It’s cheaper, won’t be the same thing everyone else has, and will feel all the more special knowing that you and your child put your own creativity to use for it. Personally, my most beloved Halloween costume was the matching m&m’s my aunt made for us. It was so goofy and unique that I still remember it all these years later.

3. Check off Some Fall Bucketlist Activities

Now, I know you haven’t had the chance to check off all those fun fall bucket list activities just yet. What better way to spend Halloween than to check off one of those activities you haven’t made the time to get done just yet!

4. Have Some Halloween-Themed Meals and Snacks

I think this is one of the simplest things you can do to make any holiday a bit more magical. Simply cutting a sandwich in the shape of a ghost, making little spiders out of olives, making croissant wrapped hotdog mummies, or any other spooky looking food idea you can think of will make your kid’s day. Even better- it may even make them finally try that food they’ve been avoiding.

5. Check Out Your Town’s Free Events

I’m always finding some great free events on Facebook, and I’m sure you can, too. Getting out and celebrating with your community will be a great way to bring the magic to your kid’s holiday.

6. Create a Halloween Scavenger Hunt

As your kids make the trek through their neighborhood to trick or treat, have them go on a Halloween scavenger hunt. There are tons of free scavenger hunts available online, or you can log onto Canva and make your own!

7. Wear Your Costumes Everywhere

Look, you either spent good money on those costumes or good time. Either way, you’re going to want to get your wears in, right? Why not dress your kids up right when they wake up to try getting as much costume time in as possible. You know what might make your kids even more excited? Waking up to see you already dressed in your costume!

8. Have a Spooky (Or Not-So-Spooky) Halloween Movie Night

Ending your candy and fun- filled night with a Halloween movie offers your kids to squeeze just a little more Halloween out of their day as they wind down from their sugar high. I recommend anything by Tim Burton. He really is a cinematic genius.

9. Have the Great Pumpkin Leave a Holiday Basket on November 1

You could make it be The Great Pumpkin, or maybe Jack from the Nightmare Before Christmas. Hey, maybe even that Elf on the Shelf everyone is so obsessed with. No matter who it is that helps your kids welcoming in the holiday season, just know that this basket idea does not have to break the bank. Maybe you can run to the thrift store and pick up a holiday book to throw in. Perhaps, you can choose just one thing to splurge on- like family pajamas. Or maybe this can be a special way of bringing out your family’s yearly Christmas games, decorations, and activities. You can make this holiday basket have whatever you can think of! 

Let’s be real, Christmas begins November 1. I love the idea of holiday baskets, and certainly don’t think they have to break the bank. On Halloween night, as the excitement of Trick-or-Treating winds down,  I plan to give my littles an It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown movie night. The next morning, I’ll grab their Halloween baskets and fill them with PJ’s, books, crafts, and toys for the holiday season. I’ll then leave a note from The Great Pumpkin wishing them a happy holiday season!

Magic doesn’t always have to break the bank. I hope you and your family can use some of these tips to have the most magical Halloween night.