Trick or treating with shy 2.5 yo

We want to take the kids trick or treating this year, but I'm quite sure it won't really happen... they're shy and won't understand the concept of it, even if we explain, and would probably not be able to say 'trick or treat' anyway (they're speech delayed).

How should I handle it? I'm thinking of just taking them for a walk in their costume in the neighborhood at this point.

 

I think that most people expect kids to be shy at that age! I'm not surprised at all when people bring their under-5-year-old children to work and they won't say "hi", but just hide behind their parents' legs. I guarantee no one will think anything of it. Bring them to the door, say "Trick or Treat" for them, and let the neighbors ooh and aah over their cuteness!

 

I agree with Val! I'm planning on taking the twins and I know my son has a heck of a time saying trick or treat but I know he'll say hi and LOVE to meet new people. My dd on the other hand can say it just fine but the girl is super shy so I have a feeling she's going to not be as much fun :laughing: I figure we'll try it and see what happens

 

Don't do it!!!! You've just listed the major reasons NOT to take your kids trick or treating - they're shy and they won't understand. So the only reason to do it would be for you. And that's not worth freaking your kids out.

I say this from experience... we pushed our 2.5 year old daughters to go to a local Halloween party at our town center knowing that they were a bit young and easily frightened, and it was a disaster. My kids were alternately bored and scared. They had no interest. And we all wasted our time.

So I say wait a year until your kids are interested and hopefully less shy.

 

My experience was exactly the opposite of Tricia. Mine were just over 2 when we took them trick-or-treating last year. I was nervous because they are also terribly shy. They shocked me by LOVING trick-or-treating. They were adorable at the door (occasionally they would hide behind my legs, but always came out for the candy!). They didn't want to stop, so we took a brief interlude for dinner and headed back out. Almost every day since then, they have talked about Halloween. We started discussing costumes in May. I would vote for giving it a shot. If they are miserable, bail and parade them around, or maybe just take them to friends' homes.

Good luck!!!
Jenny

 

My two are shy as well. We took them last year and my DH and I were the ones who said trick or treat for them and the kids enjoyed seeing all the costumes. They are pretty excited about Halloween this year and our plan is to take them to the a few houses and see how they do.
I think if your two act skittish when you start out, just taking them for a walk through the neighborhood would be a good idea.

 

oh boy... something else I should be preparing for! the last two years we just took the kids to our parents house and that was it. but it would be fun to go to a few neighbors houses... though my dd is such a fussy bucket most times I can just hear the "no" coming! ah well.

 

MY DS is shy and won't talk but didn't ahve any trouble asking for candy last year. We go to a church trunk-or-treat out of the backs of cars so it was easier and they loved it. They didn't want to stop when we were though. I say take them to acouple houses and see how it goes. Start early before too many people are out and it is past bedtime and tired. Also discuss it ahead of time. Tell them what will happen and they will get candy or somehting else at the door.Mine are so excited this year as they remember last year.

 

Mine were a 1.5 last year. We pulled them around in a wagon and they loved it. They went up to a couple of doors and then we just pulled them around. We went with my friend and her kids, so they had the other kids to look up to. I plan on doing the same thing this year. If they don't want to go up to the door, then I won't make them. I think I'll have more trouble keeping their hats on their heads than anything else. Give it a shot. What do you have to lose. Just go home if it isn't any fun for them.

 

My boys were both speech delayed and couldn't say "Trick or Treat" at this time last year when they were almost 2 1/2. We went and they had a blast! The only problem was that they wanted to walk right into people's houses when the door was opened, LOL. I am hoping it will go well this year too. They talk more (although are not really "conversational") but their behavior is worse!

 

Previous years we put the girls in their costumes in their wagon and just walked them around the block. We stopped and said hello to neighbors that we know. We didn't want them to have candy anyway, so it was an easy decision.