Inclusive Halloween events in Massachusetts for kids with special needs are so important this time of year.
Sure, Halloween is super fun and a rite of passage for little kids. But when your child has special needs, it can be….kind of stressful.
My daughter, Lucy, has Down syndrome. And I love Halloween. And she does, too! But the typical Halloween run is fraught with obstacles. Or at least for us.
It’s dark, and Lucy has a hard time seeing. The other kids run from house to house. But Lucy has to take her time. Her costumes can’t be too ornate (itchy!) or too big (tripping!). Stairs are hard to navigate. And the rush of other children can be overwhelming.
Luckily, we found a great crew to trick or treat with, and they understand if we are lagging behind or have to call it quits early.
But I’m so thankful many towns put on Halloween celebrations that celebrate people with all abilities!
Check out the events that our happening for our kids. A lot of them are this weekend, so I hope you got your costumes already. (I’m always late!)
And here are some additional trips from a speech therapist on how to make Halloween more inclusive!
“Some children may not be able to verbalize “trick-or-treat” or respond with “thank you”; thus, it is important to not push for verbal responses
Make sure children can see your face and your mouth when handing out treats, particularly for those with speech issues or hearing issues
For parents who have children with special needs, consider buying or making a trick-or-treat bag that lets people know (e.g., Have a trick-or-treat back that says, “I can’t say trick-or-treat yet, but I’m trying!”)
Be prepared to describe treats for those with vision issues.”
-Andrea Scola, M.S., CCC-SLP, Exceptional Speech Therapy Blog Writer
Sensory-Friendly Halloween Event: Uxbridge
Uxbridge, October 27th, 2022, with Venture Community Services. Free. For children 16 & under with autism or sensory concerns and their families. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Costumes are welcomed. Trick or Treat Bags, Drinks & Snacks and all Activity Materials will be Provided.
* Participants don’t need to be receiving services from the host Venture Community Services – ALL are welcome.
* ABA therapists welcome to bring the children they are working with.
*There will be:- Six Themed Trick or Treat Rooms – Treat Bags Provided
- Halloween Project to do on-site or take home
- Fall Sensory Bins
- Photo Booth
- Costumes Welcomed
- Pizza and Snacks (gf options)
- Adaptive Yoga with Brave Yoga for All from 4:30-5:15
For more information visit https://venturecs.org/event/sensoryhalloween22/or contact Paige Mador, [email protected] 774-922-1135
Inclusive Trick or Treat in Massachusetts
Inclusive Fall Craft Night for Ages 11-21: Wakefield, MA
Inclusive Fall Craft Night for Ages 11-21: Wakefield, MA
October 18th, 2022, with Communitas of Wakefield. For ages 11 – 21.
To register or for more information visit https://communitas.recdesk.com/Community/Program or contact (781) 587-2200 or [email protected]
Inclusive Trick or Treating in Massachusetts
Halloween Costume Dance for ages 13 – 22, Waltham MA
Waltham, MA, October 21st, 2022, with The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. For ages 13+ . Join MDSC for a Halloween Dance with Bentley Best Buddies.
* Join the MDSC at Bentley University with the Best Buddies group for a Halloween bash.
* Put on your spookiest costume or festive fall attire and dance the night away to all your favorite hits played by DJ Dan.
* In addition to music they will have snacks, drinks and some fun games.
* This is a great opportunity to make new friends, see familiar faces, and more.
*This is a drop off event. Parents and caregivers are welcome to stay if preferred.
*AIM Registration is required for this event.
Inclusive Trick or Treating in Massachusetts
Inclusive Trunk or Treat with the Norfolk SEPAC, Norfolk, MA
In person event, October 21st, 2022, with the Norfolk, MA, Special Education Parent Advisory Council. For Norfolk families ONLY.
* Volunteers will decorate their cars and bring Halloween treats to share.
* Bring your families, wear your costumes and get ready for a frightfully fun Halloween night with the Norfolk school community.
**Costumes are highly encouraged**
* Tickets are sold in time blocks and there are a limited number of tickets available.
* All tickets must be purchased in advance.
This is a trick or treating event.
Guidelines-
- Tickets on sale through Thursday October 20, 2022.
- Costumes and decorations are not required but are highly recommended
- For more information visit www.eventbrite.com/e/8th-annual-norfolk-sepac-trunk-or-treat-tickets-416629599347 or contact [email protected]
Inclusive Trick or Treating in Massachusetts
-
Not-So-Spooky Haunted House: Hingham, MA
Hingham, October 21st & 22nd, 2022 St. John’s Episcopal Church is hosting the Not So Spooky Haunted House’s special time at 5 – 7 pm..
* The St. John’s (Not-So-Spooky) Haunted House is an outing for preschool and elementary age kids, and includes refreshments and activities in the lower church hall afterwards.
* 2022 dates are October 14 & 15 and October 21 & 22 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
* Your host, Freddy the Friendly Ghost, will show everyone his new room.
* If your kids like mermaids, pirates and treasure they will like the brand new Hingham’s Haunted Harbor, and if Freddy has his way, you might just get to see some fireworks from Button Island this year.
For more information visit https://app.hauntpay.com/events/sj-nsphh?fbclid=IwAR2UF-1iPMr4rzPaIGFISsZ5NAZlMxJLDNR9BhDUDa9Ybb_kfHc8LyJtAB4 or contact (781) 749-1535
Inclusive Trick or Treating in Massachusetts
Fall Harvest Dance for ages 20+ Canton, MA
Canton, MA, October 22nd, 2022, with Self Advocacy Advisory Council of the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress. For ages 20+ . The Self Advocacy Advisory Council invites individuals ages 20+ to join us in Canton for an evening of socializing, dancing, laughter, and fun!.
* Celebrate all that the change in seasons brings with new friends and old in your finest fall attire.
* This is a drop off event. Parents and caregivers are welcome to stay if preferred.
*AIM Registration is required for this event.
To RSVP to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSevtl31YEdum-NkhqWiiUjNYvN7UtLUe_qm4rMBLJygKXww/viewform
OR contact [email protected] or [email protected] 781-221-0024
Inclusive Trick or Treating in Massachusetts
Sensory-Friendly Halloween – Sturbridge, MA
Cater2Kids – Sturbridge, October 22nd, 2022. Free. Welcomes families with children with all abilities for a Sensory-Friendly Halloween event. Family Activities, hands on fun, Trick or Treating and more.
So everyone has a successful experience, the host is also offering appointments for families that have a member that requires individual structured times.
For more information or RSVPs contact www.facebook.com/cater2kidsot/ or [email protected]
Inclusive Trick or Treating in Massachusetts
Sensory-Friendly Halloween: Pembroke, MA
Pembroke, MA, October 22nd, 2022, with Rising Harts and the South Shore Autism Center. 4-5 pm is reserved for those that are sensory sensitive. A safe and inclusive Halloween experience.
* Enjoy bouncy houses, face painting, a balloon artist, immersive coloring, games, treats, a sensory friendly movie area area provided by Yogibo, and all kinds of fall activities.
* Wear your favorite costume or come as is.
* Appropriate for the whole family – all ages welcome.
* Kidd will get treats from local speech therapists, behavioral therapists, Autism specialists and more.
* Parents will be able to learn more about the resources available to them on the South Shore.
Fees apply, registration is required to www.eventbrite.com/e/tricks-and-treats-sponsored-by-south-shore-autism-center-tickets-409244440137 or contact [email protected]
Inclusive Trick or Treating in Massachusetts
Trick or Trunk Inclusive Event: Georgetown, MA
Penn Brook School, Georgetown, MA, October 22rd, 2022. The Georgetown Special Education Parent Advisory Council will host this special-needs family event.
* Trick or Trunk is a SAFE trick or treating event.
* Park and decorate the back of your vehicle or trunk and give out candy, treats, or other small things to children as they go from vehicle to vehicle in costumes.
In past years, activities have included:
* Costume Parade & Trick or Treating
* Costume & Display Contest
* Petting Zoo
* Food & Drinks
* Trunk Decorating costs per vehicle TBA
* Walk-On Participants costs per vehicle TBA
Registration is required for both hosting vehicles and Trunk or Treating to www.facebook.com/groups/105888456120506/ or contact [email protected]
Inclusive Trick or Treating in Massachusetts
WORK Inc. Family Halloween Bash, Dorchester, MA
Dorchester, MA, October 25th, 2022. Free. This event is for DDS families who live in the Greater Boston area only. WORK Inc.’s Family Support Center
invites DDS families that live in the Greater Boston area to A Halloween Bash.
* Get ready for an evening of music by DJ TUAN, dancing, great food,
yummy treats, games & prizes.
* Come dressed in your best Halloween costume.
1st place $100 gift card
2nd place $50 gift card
3rd place $25 gift card
RSVP by Oct. 17 toEmily Dasilva |[email protected]| 617-691-1600
Inclusive Trick or Treating in Massachusetts
Sensory Friendly Trunk Or Treat: Quincy, MA
Quincy, MA, October 30th, 2022, with the Quincy Parent Advisory Council To Special Education. Qpac’s Second Annual Sensory Friendly Trunk Or Treat Is Coming October 30th,
*Registration is required.
For more information visit www.facebook.com/quincypac/videos/1240540556793464 or contact
[email protected]
Inclusive Trick or Treating in Massachusetts
Trunk or Treat & Pumpkin Patch Sleigh Ride: Holyoke, MA
Holyoke, MA, October 29th, 2022, with JERICHO, The Bureau for Exceptional Children & Adults. Trick or Treat safely and at your own pace.
* Then take a sleigh ride to the Pumpkin Patch to find a pumpkin to take home.
* Visit the playground before you leave.
* An afternoon meant for families or kids of all ages.
* JERICHO provides supports to individuals and families living with disability in Western Mass. This includes dances to special events, from trainings for all to group travel opportunities, or from religious education to parent support.
To register or for more information contact 413-538-7450 or email [email protected].
Inclusive Trick or Treating in Massachusetts
Inclusive Halloween Dance Party for Ages 18+, Cohasset, MA
Cohasset, October 28th, 2022, with the Arc of the South Shore. For ages 18+ with special needs. The Autism Resource Center offers dances for individuals over the age of 18 to celebrate various holiday and times of the year.
* The goal of these dances is to provide social and recreational opportunities for adults in a safe and supported environment.
* Attendee’s enjoy an evening of dancing to popular music provided by a DJ along with refreshments.
* Dances are a great opportunity for self-expression, meeting new people and building relationships.
* All dances are in-person at The Cohasset Light Keepers House.
RSVPs are required to https://arcsouthshore.org/news-events/event-calendar.html/event/2022/10/28/halloween-dance-party/395527 or contact Diane Wilcox, [email protected], 617-678-2889
Inclusive Trick or Treat in Massachusetts
Sensory Trick or Treating: Burlington, MA
Burlington, MA, October 27th, 2022, hosted by the Burlington Recreation Department. Join in on a sensory friendly trick or treating experience.
* Get in the Halloween spirit and trick or treat in a fun and comfortable environment.
* The whole family is welcome to attend.
* Costumes are welcomed but not required.
To register or for more information visit https://web1.myvscloud.com/wbwsc/maburlingtonwt.wsc/search.html or contact
781-270-1695 or [email protected]
Inclusive Trick or Treating in Massachusetts
