Does Halloween Feel Overwhelming? Tips for Sensory Avoiders

Practical Halloween Tips for Sensory Avoiders

If you love the idea of Halloween but find that decorating, dressing up, or attending events feels like a lot, you’re not alone. For many people, especially those with sensory sensitivities, holidays can be both joyful and overwhelming.

Here are some practical, sensory-friendly Halloween tips to help you enjoy the season without burnout.

Consider the Five Senses

When planning costumes or decorations, it can be helpful to think through each of the five senses. A little intentionality goes a long way in creating a fun and comfortable experience.

👀 Sight (Visual Sensitivity)

Bright, flashing, or colour-changing lights can quickly lead to sensory overload. Try using soft, steady lighting instead, think flickering (electric) candles or gentle up lighting.

Cluttered or overly busy décor can also be visually overwhelming. Imagine the house with five or more inflatable decorations in one small yard; it’s a lot to take in! When it comes to visuals, less is often more for sensory-sensitive folks.

👃 Smell (Olfactory Sensitivity)

Halloween scents can be both cozy and overpowering. Pumpkin spice candles and warm apple cider smell wonderful to some, but the chemical smell of latex masks and plastic costumes can be too much.

If you’re making or buying a costume, wash fabrics ahead of time with an unscented or familiar detergent. Avoid latex masks and instead try hats, headbands, or face paint for comfort without the strong smells.

👂 Sound (Auditory Sensitivity)

Halloween can be noisy! mechanical witches cackling, jump-scare sound effects, loud parties, and excited trick-or-treaters. If you’re sensitive to sound, Loop earplugs or similar options can help reduce noise without drawing attention.

If you’re hosting a party or decorating, lowering the volume on background sounds or music by even a few notches can make a big difference for sensory comfort.

✋ Touch (Tactile Sensitivity)

Costumes can be scratchy, tight, or heavy, which can make it hard to enjoy the fun. Try creating a costume using comfortable base clothing like soft cotton shirts, leggings, or jeans instead of cheap polyester.

It can also be a fun, creative challenge to build your costume from clothes you already own or thrifted finds. And when decorating, maybe skip the fake spider webs; they’re bad for the environment and feel awful when they stick to your skin.

🍬 Taste (Food and Eating Comfort)

You never have to eat anything you don’t want to. For those with limited safe foods, ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder), or allergies, Halloween can still be enjoyable.

Stick to your safe foods, and remember that many homes now offer non-candy options like toys, stickers, or glow sticks. Personally, I love giving out small tubs of Play-Doh, it’s a hit with kids of all ages.

Final Thoughts

While these are just a few Halloween tips for sensory avoiders, listen to your body you know you best. You are under no obligation to participate in Halloween in ways that feel unsafe, stressful, or unhealthy for you. Celebrate in whatever way works best for your sensory and emotional needs.

Bring layers, take breaks, use fidgets, and choose comfort over expectations.

In my own family, when Halloween felt too overwhelming, we simply visited a close neighbour, stopped by Grandma’s, and then came home to watch Halloweentown. It was cozy, calm, and perfect for us.

🎃Happy Halloween!