31/10/2025
🎃 The Therapeutic Magic of Halloween Play 👻
Halloween can be an exciting time for children — full of costumes, imagination, and adventure! From a play therapy perspective, it’s also a great opportunity to see how play helps children explore different versions of themselves and their fears!
When children put on a costume, they’re not just dressing up — they’re trying on different parts of themselves. A quiet child might feel more outgoing or braver as a superhero. Another might choose something spooky to safely explore things that usually feel a bit scary. Dressing up gives children a sense of control and a safe way to express emotions when they don’t know the words.
However, Halloween can also feel overwhelming — loud noises, masks, and dark decorations can be a lot for some children and may induce anxiety for some. It’s okay to slow things down, adapt or make your own traditions to create a Halloween that feels fun and safe for your child.
💫Above all else, take a moment to observe your child’s inner world that at Halloween time they will so gladly show you without much prompting needed — that’s where the real magic happens.
Happy Halloween to everyone celebrating 🎃👻🎆