Halloween is a fantastic time to immerse nursery babies in a world of fun and exciting new experiences they’ll love discovering!
Engaging in Halloween-themed activities helps them explore different textures, colors, and sounds, while also boosting their sensory development. It’s a fun way for babies to interact with their surroundings and even start socializing with others in their group.
With Halloween happening on October 31st, it’s the time to introduce Halloween baby-friendly activities that capture the magic of the season. Here we go!
1. Pumpkin sensory bins
What to prepare: Mini pumpkins, fabric pumpkins, dried corn, small scoops
Theme: Sensory discovery
Craft a sensory adventure with a bin filled with soft pumpkins, crunchy dried corn, and fun scoops. Babies can feel the texture, grasp small objects, and explore the varying sensations. This activity stimulates their developing senses in a way that’s engaging and completely safe. It’s all about giving little ones a kindly nudge into the world of sensory play while keeping the Halloween spirit alive without overwhelming them.
2. Handprint ghost art
What to prepare: Non-toxic white paint, black paper, baby wipes
Theme: Creative keepsakes
Want to find an art activity for Halloween? Capture the tiniest hands as spooky-cute ghosts! Dip their hands in soft white paint, press them onto black paper, and transform those prints into adorable little ghost art. Add googly eyes or a hand-drawn face to bring the “ghosts” to life. It’s a personal craft that doubles as a sweet Halloween keepsake for parents—on top of that, it introduces babies to textures in the most creative way.
3. Halloween sensory bottles
What to prepare: Clear plastic bottles, water, glitter, small Halloween toys
Theme: Visual and tactile engagement
Fill clear bottles with water, glitter, and soft Halloween trinkets like mini bats and pumpkins. Seal them up tight and let the babies shake, roll, and watch as the object’s dance and swirls inside.
These sensory bottles offer calming visual stimulation while encouraging curiosity. Just right for little ones who love to explore with their eyes and hands, without the need for direct contact with tiny, swallowable objects.
4. Pumpkin patch crawl
What to prepare: Plush pumpkins, soft blankets, or pumpkin-shaped cushions
Theme: Movement and exploration
Create a “pumpkin patch” with soft plush pumpkins or cushioned shapes scattered on a blanket. Babies can crawl, reach, and explore as they interact with the playful pumpkin patch. This activity encourages gross motor development while giving them a safe, autumn-themed playground to wander through. The sensory elements are low-key, suited for nurturing their physical development with a soft Halloween twist.
5. Baby Halloween costume parade
What to prepare: Soft, cozy costumes
Theme: Dress-up and social interaction
Get the babies dressed in their comfiest Halloween costumes and host a pacific parade around the nursery. The visual delight of seeing others in costume gives the babies something new to observe, and the movement adds an element of playful interaction. Pick up this fantastic way to introduce them to social moments, without overwhelming their senses, while offering parents the right photo-op for those tiny, festive outfits.
6. Spooky texture boards
What to prepare: Different textured materials like felt, soft cloth, fake fur, and bumpy plastic
Theme: Tactile sensory fun
Create a spooky texture board filled with different materials for babies to touch and explore. From soft fabric to bumpy plastic, babies can feel and compare all the different textures. This activity stimulates their sense of touch in a simple but fun way. It’s a great way for them to get curious while keeping the experience low-pressure.
7. Ghostly peekaboo game
What to prepare: White cloth or tissue paper for “ghosts”
Theme: Interactive play
Turn peekaboo into a Halloween-themed game by using white cloth or tissue paper to create “ghosts.” Cover your face and play peekaboo with the babies, letting the “ghost” appear and disappear. It’s a simple twist on a classic game, but babies will love the surprise and giggles that come with it.
8. Glow-in-the-dark pumpkin jars
What to prepare: Small jars, glow sticks, pumpkin stickers
Theme: Light play
Fill small jars with glow sticks and add pumpkin stickers on the outside to create glowing pumpkin jars. Dim the lights and let the babies explore the soft glow. Try introduce them to light and color while keeping it safe and baby-friendly. The glow-in-the-dark effect is mesmerizing for little ones and adds a touch of Halloween magic.
9. Pumpkin roll chase
What to prepare: Large, soft pumpkin balls
Theme: Movement and coordination
Let babies chase after soft, rolling pumpkin-shaped balls. Roll them gently across the floor and watch as the babies crawl after them. Encourage movement and coordination, while also introducing them to a simple Halloween-themed activity. Not to mention the bright colors and soft textures keep it playful and safe.
10. Spider web crawling tunnel
What top: Soft tunnel with strings or yarn “webs”
Theme: Physical play
Set up a soft crawling tunnel and string some yarn to mimic a spider web. Babies can crawl through the tunnel, touching and moving the “web” as they go. Try to get them moving while introducing a light Halloween theme. The challenge of getting through the web helps develop their motor skills without being too tough.
11. Pumpkin apple stamps
What to prepare: Half an apple, orange paint, thick paper
Theme: Hands-on art play
Cut an apple in half, dip it into vibrant orange paint, and let the babies stamp away on paper to make their own pumpkin prints. This simple yet creative activity lets little ones explore the joy of stamping and colors while keeping it easy and low-mess. The pumpkin shapes will pop off the page, giving a splash of Halloween fun.
12. Halloween sensory shaker bottles
What to prepare: Empty bottles, rice, shiny beads, mini Halloween toys
Theme: Shaker sensory fun
Fill bottles with rice, sparkly beads, and tiny Halloween-themed trinkets. Secure the lid, and let babies shake, roll, and enjoy the sounds and movements inside. This activity is a blend of visual and tactile stimulation—ideal for capturing a baby’s curiosity and giving their senses something exciting to explore.
13. Bouncing pumpkin ball pool
What to prepare: Soft orange balls, inflatable pool
Theme: Movement and exploration
Transform an inflatable pool into a mini pumpkin patch by filling it with soft, orange balls. Let babies roll, crawl, and bounce around in the “pumpkin” ball pit. This nursery Halloween activity adds a playful Halloween twist to a classic ball pit, encouraging active movement and sensory discovery.
14. Floating ghost mobile
What to prepare: Soft fabric, lightweight paper ghosts, string
Theme: Visual magic
Create a floating ghost mobile with fabric and paper ghosts dangling from a string. As these friendly ghosts gently float and sway above the babies, their little eyes will be captivated by the movement. This calming visual play Halloween activity for kids in Nursery is suitable for keeping their attention during quiet moments.
15. Soft btat oss game
What to prepare: Plush bat toys, soft baskets
Theme: Amiable tossing fun
Give the babies soft plush bats and encourage them to toss the bats into nearby baskets. This activity helps them practice hand-eye coordination while adding a dash of Halloween charm. It’s a simple game that babies will love, with each little toss adding to the fun.
The bottom line
After trying out these Halloween activities, nursery workers have seen firsthand how they engage babies in sensory exploration and early motor skills while keeping the Halloween spirit light and enjoyable. Many workers noted that the pumpkin sensory bins and glowing bottles were big hits, as they captivated the babies without overwhelming them.
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