Halloween is the spookiest season of them all—but that doesn’t mean you have to scare the pants off of every kid on the block. If you’re looking to create a fun, spooky aesthetic that isn’t too scary, then this guide is for you. It’s full of ideas for kid-friendly Halloween decorations to help make sure that everyone in your home can have a great Halloween experience, from the parents to the kiddos and pets.
Why kid-friendly decorations make a difference
First of all: I love Halloween. I love how excited and spirited everyone gets. I love the Halloween costumes, the snacks, and the plethora of pumpkins that pop up all around town. I’m a scaredy cat, but even I can enjoy a haunted house during Halloween… As long as I don’t have to go through one every single week.
Like most people, I like a little scare. As an adult, though, I also know where my limits are. That’s why I love Halloween decorations that get into the spirit of things without being too scary. While it’s easy for me to know when I’ve had enough and voice my needs, it’s a lot harder for little kids. Not only are they scared of more things, but it’s tougher for tiny tykes to tell you exactly what’s scaring them and why.
To design a kid-friendly Halloween scare-scape that’s welcoming to trick-or-treaters of all ages, select not-scary Halloween decorations that still get into the theme. You can avoid a lot of nightmares by simply leaving out the gore, the jump scares, and the freaky faces—and if you love stuff like that, it’s easy to keep it indoors for the adults!
How to use friendly Halloween characters
I look at Halloween as a giant, annual decorating event that really boils down to three categories.
First, you have your scary decorations. These are things like animatronic dolls, horror movie monsters, and gory props that are made to truly frighten adults. Scary decorations are for the haunted houses and the Claire Dunphys of the world—they’re for when you really want to make someone shriek.
Next, you have your aesthetic decorations. These are things like beige pumpkins, wireframe ghosts, and stained glass bats. They’re distinctly Halloween-themed, but they’re not scary—they’re there to be beautiful. Aesthetic decorations aren’t here for camp or fun; they’re here to enhance your fall decor in simple, stunning ways.
Finally, you have your spooky and spoopy decorations. These friendly decor items are things that fit all of the great Halloween tropes, but they’re approachable little silly. (The sillier they are, the “spoopier” they become.) Think smiling ghosts, cartoon-style witches with goofy warts on their giant noses, and basic pumpkins and black cats.
These spooky decorations are where you want to stay when you’re looking for family-friendly outdoor Halloween ideas. Look for Halloween characters in formats like soft plushes, oversized yard signs, and blow-ups. This final category makes for great Halloween decorations for toddlers, as each design is made to be approachable and welcoming for all ages.
Pick silly characters
Decorate your dream Halloween scare-scape with kid-friendly designs like smiling ghosts and sleepy witches.
Want to create a truly coordinated Halloween look? Don’t miss our helpful article on how to match your outdoor Halloween decor with your costume theme for tips on syncing your decorations and costumes for maximum festive fun!
Pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns with a twist
Pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns are another great way to fill the season with kid-friendly Halloween decorations. Try painting or carving pumpkins with fun expressions, or visiting a local carved pumpkin patch to take some cute family photos and get some great inspiration.
No-carve pumpkins with paints (or fingerpaints) are a great way for kids to join in safely. I remember being a little kid in the 90s, terrified every year that I was going to cut my tiny little fingers with the mini saw we’d use on our pumpkins… Thank goodness painted pumpkins have taken off so much.
There are plenty of styrofoam and plastic pumpkins on the market today, but I still prefer a traditional pumpkin. They decompose naturally within weeks, smell super nostalgic at any age, and are typically much cheaper than their synthetic counterparts. Paired with a non-flammable electric light, they’re a safe, easy option that’ll essentially dispose of themselves as the season ends.
Looking to make your pumpkins last for longer? Opt for a no-carve, painted design. An intact pumpkin will last for weeks (if not months) before breaking down. The longest I’ve ever managed was three months for indoor mini gourds—they lasted all the way into the new year and then some. Can you beat that record?
Kids outdoor inflatables that cause delight—not fright
Outdoor inflatables are a fun way to inspire delight in little kids—but they can be spooky, too! Try opting for designs like ghosts waving hello, plump pumpkin carriages, or candy monsters. (Think “Candyland” instead of “Zombieland.”) Inflatables are easy to set up and deflate for compact storage, and they take up a large portion of your front yard or porch—so you have less to think about when it comes to decorating.
Outdoor Halloween inflatables for kids are an easy option for kid-safe Halloween decorations. For pets, however, they’re a hit or miss—sometimes what’s fun to a toddler is still, inexplicably, terrifying for a tiny dog!
Halloween inflatables with a friendly twist
Get spooky with fun, friendly Halloween inflatables like this giant pumpkin. (It’s 4 1/2 metres tall!)
Spooky & sweet porch decor
Spooky season is the perfect time of the year to pull out your cute Halloween yard ideas. Think cobwebs, bats, and hanging lights in kid-friendly colours; candy buckets, silly garlands, and front door wraps. (I love a Halloween themed wreath, too—something bright and orange with lots of little fall decorations on it, too.)
Keep your porch decor looking spooky and sweet by emphasizing basic shapes and big, bold colours. If you love orange, black, and purple, this is your time to shine!
Decorate with big, sweet porch decor
These giant windsocks are both spooky and sweet with their playful expressions and emotive eyes.
Want to take your porch to the next level? Check out our blog post on how to create a haunted front porch for creative tips on building spooky—but still kid-friendly—Halloween displays!
Interactive & DIY decor ideas
Looking for a decor idea that the whole family can help set up? Then these DIY decor ideas are for you. There’s no better way to get into the spirit of Halloween than to decorate for it together. These family-friendly outdoor Halloween ideas aren’t just kid-safe, they’re fun for the whole family.
Get a start on your Halloween porch decor for kids with at-home art activities. They can get a little messy, but they’re a fun, cheap way to create something memorable with the whole family. (Halloween DIYs are also a great excuse for opening up your doors for a decorating party, as their costs are pretty low and their results are portable!) Try making chalk monster footprints on the sidewalk if you’re in an area without snow on Halloween, or paint glow-in-the-dark rocks with older kids. In drier cities or for homes with covered porches, you can make big cutouts and paper crafts to tack up, too: Big ghosts, candies, and paper chains.
If you’re working to create a spooky aesthetic on a budget, then these DIY decor ideas paired with a few Halloween decorations on sale are a great place to start.
And for more ideas on decorating your porch, be sure to check out our detailed guide on 7 spooky outdoor Halloween decoration ideas. It’s packed with creative ideas to make your home the talk of the neighbourhood this spooky season!
In conclusion
There are plenty of kid-friendly Halloween decorations that you can make your home feel fun and welcoming while still getting everyone into the sprit of spooky season. From DIY crafts to inflatable ghosties, there’s something for everyone and every family—even scaredy cats!
Explore Halloween decorations online at Best Buy today to create your dream decor this season.
