Arc’s Value Village has great tips for helping your kids find ideas that are fun AND sensory-friendly Halloween costumes! Plus, they have a great selection of used costumes to help you save money. There are 4 locations in the Twin Cities: New Hope, Brooklyn Center, St. Paul & Richfield.
Tips for Finding Sensory-Friendly Halloween Costumes
October is National Sensory Awareness Month and a good time to think about how to make kids with sensory issues more comfortable with all of the tricks and treats that Halloween brings. Kids with sensory issues might react to scratchy costumes, smelly makeup and loud sounds like Boo! Meltdowns can quickly turn what is meant to be a good time into a frightful time instead. A little planning and preparation can go a long way in keeping a child comfortable and ready for fun. Arc’s Value Village Halloween BOO-tique offers these tips to help.
Tips for sensory-friendly costumes:
- Avoid itchy or scratchy material and ensure fabric is breathable so a child can move comfortably.
- Be mindful of temperatures. A hot child is going to react negatively.
- Keep the face free of masks or other coverings to increase comfort.
- Use little to no makeup when possible.
- Be wary of strong scents from makeup or hair products.
- Build a costume based on a familiar, easy to wear basic sweatshirt or pajama top.
- Be wary of costumes or accessories that make lots of noise or come with special sound effects.
Ideas:
- Uniform costumes – fire fighter, police, doctor, delivery person, safari guide/jungle explorer, etc., are easily identifiable without tons of accessories or makeup, and easy to make from simple basic clothing!
- An apron can transform a child into a chef or artist.
- Create a skeleton (black sweats or PJs with bones outlined with masking tape or glow-in-the-dark fabric paint).
- Placard-based costumes (game pieces, for example) are easy to slip on and off over sweats.
- Dressing up as a favorite rock star, singer, Disney princess or Nintendo character might be motivation to keep going despite a little discomfort.
- Zombies are an easy-to-identify look even without face makeup with bloody clothing such as sweats, pajamas, or a favorite shirt.
- Hippy -what could be more loose-fitting? Bell bottoms anyone?
Prepare Before You Head Out the Door
When shopping for a costume, such as at Arc’s Value Village Halloween BOO-tique, have an idea in mind before shopping. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of a store, your child might have a hard time coming up with an idea which can lead to frustration for both of you. Help your child think about what he or she can tolerate to find a costume that’s the best possible fit. It can also help to know in what ways your child needs sensory-friendly Halloween. For some kids, this means no denim, while for others it means no tight clothes.
Arc’s Value Village Halloween BOO-tique offers inexpensive costume items for adults & children at stores in Brooklyn Center, New Hope, Richfield and Saint Paul. Every purchase puts money back into the local community for programs and services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Thanks to generous community support, Arc’s Value Village Halloween BOO-tique has raised more than $2 million for The Arc Greater Twin Cities. It’s Shopping with a Purpose!
More about Arc Value Village’s Mission
The Arc Greater Twin Cities fosters respect and access for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The Arc was started 65 years ago by parents determined to ensure the most full and independent lives possible for their children. Today, The Arc continues to be a family-focused, grassroots organization helping individuals and families address issues such as early intervention, education, transition to adulthood, health care, housing, employment, guardianship and more. For more information and volunteer opportunities, call The Arc Greater Twin Cities at (952) 920-0855 or visit www.arcgreatertwincities.org.