Do you love Halloween? As we approach your favorite month of the year, decorations are being put up and some of us (That would be me.) love seeing our kiddos reactions to all of the spooky houses along our route when walking around the neighborhood.
Today on the Geeky Parent Guide, we’re going to explore some ways to let your kids enjoy Halloween all throughout the month of October, including those who are experiencing Halloween for the first time. Let’s take a look at some kid-friendly movies, TV, and an event that involves some free comic books, which will let you and your kiddos bond during what should be a seriously fun month.
MOVIES AND TV TO DELIGHT YOUR CHILD’S SOUL
A Little Halloween
Description: “The heartwarming tale of an odd girl who just wants Halloween to last forever…”
Rated: PG
Length: 5 minutes
Available: Amazon Prime
PG Rating, via Motion Picture Association of America: “Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children – Parents urged to give ‘parental guidance.’ May contain some material parents might not like for their young children.”
A Little Halloween, not only a brief animated film, is a brilliant look at a person who wants to feel normal, despite looking or dressing differently from others. The main character, Pauline, loves Halloween, but not for the reasons you might expect. She loves this one day, because she can go outside without being taunted for her looks. The story shows Pauline being bullied for her appearance, because others think pale skin, black clothing, dark eyeliner, and piercings might be some sort of costume and only to be worn around Halloween.
However, this is who Pauline is, and she wants to be able to feel normal every day of the year – and not just on Halloween. A Little Halloween explores Pauline’s attempt to make Halloween last year-round, and how true friendship is accepting of who we are as individuals and that being unique or different is not only great, but how we all should be celebrated. When we are celebrated for being who we are, without worrying about bullying, it’s great for our kids to see and understand moving forward in life, be who you are and accept others the same.
A Little Halloween, although a quick tale, cleverly addresses this important issue with rhythmic storytelling. Most sections of the story are narrated in four-lined stanzas, making it easy to follow along for kids.
The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Halloween!
Description: “The Cat in the Hat takes Nick and Sally on a Halloween ride filled with howlers and shockers and scary fandangles, big laughs, and music and fun from all angles!”
Rated: G
Length: 57 minutes
Available: Amazon Prime & Netflix
G Rating, via Motion Picture Association of America: “All Ages Admitted – Nothing that would offend parents for viewing by children.”
Comedic icon, Martin Short, voices Cat in the animated movie that takes two kids on an adventure, helping them prepare for Halloween. The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About Halloween has a talking fish, oddly named places like the “Oooky-ma-kooky Closet,” and wildly expressive voice-overs, highlighting the fun and unpredictable nature of the Cat.
The story highlights Halloween frights and how to navigate fears that might be associated with the spooky holiday. For example, the kids hold hands to feel safe as they walk down a dark and scary path, while the Cat shows them how you can still find colorful leaves, making the path seem less creepy. The entire film is presented in this way – to help kids understand sights and sounds that might seem scary and why they shouldn’t be. As one my kids’ favorites at the moment, this film is very approachable for all ages.
Netflix also has two seasons of the animated series, The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!
The Worst Witch – Season 1, Episode 1: “Selection Day”
Description: “When a broomstick crash-lands on her balcony, Mildred Hubble hitches a ride to Cackle’s Academy and begins her training as a newly minted witch.”
Rated: TV-Y7
Length: 59 minutes
Available: Netflix
TV-Y7 Rating, via TV Parental Guidelines: “Directed to Older Children – This program is designed for children age 7 and above. It may be more appropriate for children who have acquired the developmental skills needed to distinguish between make-believe and reality. Themes and elements in the program may include mild fantasy violence or comedic violence, or may frighten children under the age of 7. Therefore, parents may wish to consider the suitability of this program for their very young children.”
The Worst Witch is a Netflix Original series, with the first of two seasons being released in 2017. The show has a Harry Potter-like vibe to it, with an unknowing witch being introduced to the world of magic. There are a series of happenstances that create humorous situations, while also helping to identify a clear-cut antagonist.
Our leading witch, Mildred Hubble, finds herself helping a friend, a school, and ultimately herself, as she crafts spells and learns the ways of the witch present both good and evil characters. This is a light-hearted series and the first episode illustrates how to avoid judging a book by its cover and to be honest in the light of doing something wrong. As for your kids, it’s important to let them see characters on television making mistakes and then telling the truth in the face of consequences.
Halloween ComicFest – Be Sure to Find an Event Near You on October 27
If you and your kids are a fan of Free Comic Book Day, then you are in luck! Halloween ComicFest is an annual event where you can stop by your local comic shop and get free comics. Happening each year on the Saturday before Halloween, if it doesn’t fall on the holiday itself, anyone can explore the wonderful world of comics and also see all of the amazing attendees dressed up in costume.
You or your kids can also participate in “The Greatest Halloween Costume Contest Ever!” If you want to try and win prizes, you’ll pick up one of those free comic books, take a picture with your costume, upload your image, and then fill out the online form to submit your entry into the contest. If you or your kids want to participate, this is a great opportunity to have fun, follow a few simple rules, and try to win one of the shopping sprees offered to winners.
If you’re wondering if your local comic book shop is hosting Halloween ComicFest, enter your zip code into the Store Locator.
What movies or shows are your favorites around this time of year? Do your kids love classics like It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown? Do your kids love Mickey’s House of Villains as much as mine do? In the past year, regardless of the time of year, my kids have watched this movie again and again.
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Until next time, happy parenting and happy geeking.
