With the little ones, Halloween goes better when it's the child who chooses the level of spookiness. A smiling pumpkin, a friendly ghost, a black cat that just wants to be petted. Start with a shadow game and turn it up when they ask for more.

Which is the real shadow?

Look closely at the figure and tap the shadow that matches. Pay attention to the details: some shadows are flipped upside down and others are missing pieces.

Scary at their own pace

Ideas for Halloween week

• Color Halloween drawings featuring pumpkins, ghosts, cats, and candy, starting with those in our free PDF.
• Play the shadow game like the one above, but on paper: the worksheets include witches, cauldrons, pumpkins, and bats.
• Invent a Halloween story with a die: each number gives a character, a place, and an object, and the story writes itself.
• Cut out and decorate the window or door with a moon, a black cat, a ghost, and a bat.
• Choose the costume in advance, with the help of our Halloween costume guide by age.
• Count the lines of a spiderweb or a pumpkin, to practice numbers without anyone noticing.

And on November 1st, the Pão-por-Deus

Here in Portugal, the day after Halloween has its own tradition. On All Saints' Day, children go from door to door asking for "Pão-por-Deus" and return home with bread, cookies, nuts, and sweets. Combining both celebrations makes for a whole weekend of activities, with a homemade and decorated Pão-por-Deus bag.

And at your place, is it a Halloween celebration, a Pão-por-Deus one, or both?