Toddler-friendly Halloween activities

Halloween is a fun excuse to dress up your little one and show them off. But scary decorations, spooky music and big kids in creepy costumes may be overwhelming for toddlers and preschoolers. 

Here are some fun, toddler-friendly ways to celebrate:

  • Look for organized community trick-or-treating events at your local mall or downtown shopping center. They usually take place when it’s still light out, and attract families rather than older kids and teens.
  • Go out early and limit the number of houses you visit. While it’s tempting to walk the entire neighborhood (because who doesn’t want everyone to “oooh” and “aaah” over their cutie?), it’s best to stick to close friends and family when your child is young.
  • Even if you don’t go out “trick or treating”, you can still dress your little one up and take lots of pictures! Post them using #gymboween2022.
  • Decorate cupcakes or pumpkin-shaped cookies.
  • Read a fun Halloween-themed book, like Five Little Pumpkins or Boo Halloween: A Peek-a-Boo Board Book. Watch a non-scary movie, like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” or “Monsters, Inc.”.

Best idea of all? Attend a Gymboween costume party at Gymboree Play & Music! Adorable costumes, playful activities, songs and Ooodles of bubbles…nothing scary about it!!

Share your cute Halloween pics!

Who doesn’t love photos of kids, pets and families in adorable Halloween costumes?

Let’s flood Instagram with cuteness and positivity, by sharing your sweetest, family-friendly costume pics. It’s sure to put a smile on everyone’s face!

#gymboween2022

Still looking for a fun, safe way to celebrate the season with your little one? Register for a Gymboween party at a Gymboree Play & Music location near you!

WINNERS! The Gymboree Play & Music #gymboween Instagram Costume Photo Contest

We had so many amazing entries for the Gymboree Play & Music #gymboween Instagram Costume Photo Contest that we decided to pick two.

First up is Danielle and son Shea from Staten Island, NY who show that our Gymboree Play & Music families are so creative! Play strong, Popeye, play strong!

Danielle and her family won a $100 in Gymboree Play & Music product pack.

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Our second winner is from Dana from El Dorado Hills, CA proves that the family that plays together stays together with these super creative Halloween costumes.

Dana and her family also won a $100 in Gymboree Play & Music product pack.

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Congratulations to both of our winners.

Gymboree Play & Music families come to class together to play and learn together, and then take what they know out into the world!

31 Bite Sized Tips For Surviving Halloween With A Toddler (from parents who really have toddlers)!

Halloween with a toddler? While this might sound like a storyline out of a horror movie surviving Halloween with kids under 4 can actually be quite fun if you’re prepared and patient.

We surveyed our Gymboree Play & Music parents and 88% plan on going trick-or-treating with their toddlers this year so we also asked them for their favorite tips on surviving Halloween with a toddler.

Here’s real advice from real moms and dads that just might help you make it through to November 1st!

Be flexible, have fun!
Don’t expect to hit a lot of houses; hide candy when they aren’t looking.
Less is sometimes more!
Replacing the candy with healthier options or non edibles when they’re not looking!
Stop when they want to stop.
Get out early.
Be patient and let them enjoy the experience 🙂
Make it fun! But always stay safe and aware of surrounding.
Let them choose their own costume!
Wine!
Have fun and be prepared for a meltdown just in case.
Keep calm!
Bring a stroller or wagon incase they get tired from walking.
Just let them have some candy, they’re only kids once.
Get as much rest as possible before Halloween.
Pray for a meltdown free night!
Follow their lead – if it’s magic for them, great! If not, don’t force it.
Emphasize on dressing up and not candy.
Let them run!
Don’t stay out too late.
Stay in a group!
Bring snacks, a sippy cup, and a stroller.
Make sure the costume is still cute even if they take the headpiece off.
Have low expectations.
Make sure everyone eats dinner first.
Don’t over-plan.
Pace yourself, end the night when your toddler starts getting cranky.
Let your significant other take them.
Hide the dog so he doesn’t bark every time the doorbell rings and wakes up the baby!!
Have fun it’s only for one night.
Be prepared to NOT get any sleep that night.

May the Force be with you…
May rapunzel’s hair stay in place…
May you not have squashed Tootsie Rolls in your carpet this year…

We’re with you mom and dad!
Have fun and Happy Halloween!

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Enter The Gymboree Play & Music #gymboween Instagram Costume Photo Contest

ENTER The GYMB-O-WEEN Photo Contest TO WIN A Goodie Basket!

Gymboree Play & Music is celebrating Gymb-O-Ween with a national costume photo contest and a chance to win a $100 in Gymboree Play & Music product*.

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Dress up for a spooktacular Halloween celebration and costume party. We’re looking for candid and cute photos of your little ones in costume.

It’s super easy to enter.

  1. Just snap some pics and share your favorite costume photos on Instagramwith the hashtag #gymboween and you’re in.
  2. Post your photos by November 1st (you can enter more than one photo) and don’t forget to use the #gymboween hashtag.

You can view all the entries on Instagram at

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/gymboween/

We’ll be sharing our favorite pics on the Gymboree Play & Music social media channels and one national entry will win a product prize package with a $100 value.

Happy Gymb-O-Ween!

*Enter for a chance to win. No purchase necessary to enter the competition. Participants enter the contest by uploading original photographs through the free Instagram app using the hashtag #gymboween. By entering, entrants confirm they are 13+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility, and agree to Instagram’s term of use. All entries must be received by 12:00 PST on November, 1st 2017. Entrants may submit as many entries as they wish but no entrant may win more than one prize. The winner will be selected by Gymboree Play & Music in its sole discretion. One winner will receive a $100 prize package provided by Gymboree Play & Music HQ. The winner will be notified via email by November 15th, 2017. The winner must claim their prize within 30 days of notification. Winner consents to the use of his/her name, photo and/or likeness, biographical information, winning entry and statements attributed to winner (if true) for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation.