Halloween Activities For Toddlers

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Looking for Halloween Activities For Toddlers?  Here’s a list of simple and doable, yet fun toddler Halloween activities (all from the dollar store).

Do you have a toddler that’s really into Halloween?  My 2-year-old twins are really into Halloween this year.  However, it can be hard to find age-appropriate Halloween activities for toddlers that aren’t too scary and super simple to set up.

That’s why I came up with these  Halloween activities for toddlers – that are all approved by my twin toddlers!  

Are you looking for Halloween Activities for Toddlers that will hold your toddler’s attention span and take minutes to set up?

Then you should read this list and see if these Halloween activities would work for your toddler!

These ideas are all from the dollar store, and many use the same items.  If you need Halloween ideas, then you should give these a try!

These Halloween activities all adaptable and easy to set up!  They are perfect for younger toddlers and preschoolers – and did I also mention cost-effective?  There’s a list of items/ingredients for all of these at the bottom of this post – all from the dollar store. My 2-year-olds had a blast with all of these activities.

#1 Fizzing Bugs

This is such a fun Halloween activity for toddlers!

Have your toddler squirt in some vinegar with food coloring into some baking soda.  

They will be amazed when it fizzes and they discover bugs underneath!  My toddlers are big into finding bugs (real ones) right now so this activity was very fitting.

This is a fun science and Halloween activity that’s so easy to set up!

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How to set up Fizzing Bugs:

• Put plastic bugs into a small storage container (I used ones from the dollar store)
• Add in one small box of baking soda
• Pour vinegar half full into cups (you could use clear or different colored cups)
• Add 3-5 drops of food coloring into the vinegar.  I used 4 different colors.
• Give your toddler a turkey baster and tongs.

Have your child squirt the vinegar into the baking soda.  I first modeled how to do this, as this was their first time using turkey basters.  As they discover the bugs, they can pick them up with their tongs and put them in a separate container.  

Of course, halfway through, my twins decided just to dump the cups of vinegar in the tub (after all, it’s easier to do that than use a turkey baster – using their problem-solving skills)!  They still had fun though and played in their own way – encourage your child to play in their own way too!  Just make sure it doesn’t get on their hands (in case they rub their eyes).  Or wipe their hands if it does get on them.

This activity is great for fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, and learning about science and discovery!  

#2 Oobleck and Bugs

Oobleck is such a fun activity and there are so many things you can add in it.  Bugs and spiders are the perfect accessories for Halloween.

Have your child find the bugs in the oobleck and dig them out!

How to Set Up Oobleck and Bugs:

• Get a small storage tub
• Mix oobleck in the tub.  Oobleck is 2 parts cornstarch, to one part water.  I used 2 cups of cornstarch and 1 cup of water to make this oobleck.  Mix well.
• Add in 4-5 drops of food coloring (optional)
• Add in plastic bugs (I used bugs from the dollar store)
• Set out another container for your child to put the bugs in
• Set out tongs for your child to pick up the bugs with (mine used the tongs and their hands)

This is a great activity for working on fine motor skills and a fun sensory activity.  Let your child explore the oobleck and how it becomes a solid and a liquid – so great for exploration!

#3 Shaving Cream and Bugs

This Halloween activity for toddlers literally takes minutes to prep!

And it is so much fun to play with! 

How to Set Up Shaving Cream and Bugs Halloween Activity:

• Get a small storage tub
• Put shaving cream in (I filled about 1/4 full)
• Add in plastic bugs
• Add spoons, whisks, etc. (optional)

My twins tried grabbing the bugs out of the shaving cream.  Then they were smearing it all in their hands!  They love shaving cream activities.  They can wash them off in a tub of water when they’re done.

#4 Spider Web and Bugs

This is another super simple and engaging Halloween activity for toddlers!

It’s so much fun trying to pick the bugs out of the spider web.  And it only takes about a minute to set up!

How to set up Spider Web and Bugs:

• Put some play spider web in a medium size storage tub.  Try to stretch it out and around the sides.
• Add in plastic bugs and spiders.
• Lay out another bucket to have your child put the bugs they caught into.  
• Give tweezers (optional) – but great for practicing the pincer grasp to get ready for writing.

#5 Water and Bugs

This Halloween activity for toddlers takes seconds to set up! 

This was a big hit since my boys love water.

Have them “rescue” the bugs.  The bugs move around in the water as they put their hands in so this activity takes a lot of concentration and hand-eye coordination skills.

How To Set Up Water and Bugs:

• Add water to a small-medium shallow storage tub about 1/2 full
• Add in plastic bugs (I used some from the dollar store)
• Set out another tub to put the bugs in that they “rescue”
• Give them tongs or tweezers for added fun and fine motor skills practice

#6 Jello Dig

Make some orange Jello and add in bugs and bats.  I used Halloween rings so they stuck in the Jello.

Let your toddler squish and squash the Jello in their hands and pick out the Halloween creatures!

It’s a yummy treat, too!  Just supervise closely to make sure no play bugs go in their mouths.

Related: Toddler No Carve Pumpkin Activities

#7 Pumpkin Patch Fine Motor Activity

Have your toddler peel off pumpkin stickers and put in a “pumpkin field” which is just green construction paper.

This is so much fun if your toddler loves pumpkins or recently went to the pumpkin patch.  It kept my twins busy until they ran out of stickers and was great for practicing fine motor skills!

Have them count the pumpkins when they’re done to practice counting.

#8 Pipe Cleaner Fine Motor

Get some pipe cleaners (I used orange and black for Halloween).  Set out a basket with small holes or a colander with lots of holes.

Have them push the pipe cleaners through the basket.

This kept my 2-year-olds occupied for quite some time! At least 15 minutes.  They really focused and concentrated as they pushed those pipe cleaners through the holes.

#9 Bug Imprints

This activity is so easy to set up and is really interesting for toddlers!

Use plastic bugs and have them press them into the playdough.

Have them look at the imprint when they take the bug off!

All of these Halloween activities for toddlers or preschoolers took minutes to prepare and set up.

These activities also kept my 2-year-olds engaged, learning, and practicing skills!

Make sure to supervise with all of these Halloween activities, since water and small parts are involved.

Here is a list of the items/ingredients you will need to make all of these toddler Halloween activities (I got everything from the dollar store minus the Jello):

• Small or medium shallow storage tub
• Plastic Bugs 
• Plastic Spiders
• Turkey Baster
• Tongs (or tweezers)
• Vinegar
• Baking Soda
• Corn Starch
• Shaving Cream
• Play dough
• Pipe Cleaners
• Small Basket with holes (or colander)
• Green Construction Paper
• Pumpkin Stickers
• Jello

Will you try any of these Halloween ideas with your toddler or preschool child?

If you like this activity, check out these ideas for your toddler!

Pumpkin Patch Sensory Table

Acorn Fall Sensory Bin

Squash Fall Sensory Bin

Process Art Fall Leaves