How to Throw a Halloween Party For Toddlers That's Actually Fun For Parents Too

Every party needs a photo booth, and what better way to capture the magic of Halloween than by giving toddlers and parents a chance to show off their costumes? Keep it simple or go all out — either way, families will cherish having a special keepsake that shows off their creative costumes. Also, don't forget to provide a way for babies to sit up, like a booster seat or special chair.

Obviously not everyone is going want to dress up, and that's OK. The main thing is that everyone has a good time and is comfortable. After all, it's hard chasing after a toddler when she's dressed as Chewbacca. Costumes can be great fun, especially for the kids, so give them as many opportunities as possible to show off their cool new look. Try a costume parade or a contest to see who really rocked the party.

The trick to making everyone happy at a party with lots of toddlers is to keep the little ones occupied. Consider having a table for Halloween themed arts and crafts, like this pumpkin decorating. Kids will love to show off their spooky designs while parents will appreciate having them focused on one thing for a while.

Of course, you can go all out when it comes to decorating a party, but let's be real for a second. Toddlers tend to mess things up — in essence, they're the reason we can't have nice things. Since there is not a kid in the world who doesn't like balloons, consider keeping decorations simple. These cute ghost balloons are easy to make and will keep the toddlers occupied, and it doesn't matter if a few get popped.

Consider crafting some punch that can be easily made special for the adults with a little splash of something extra. Cider works great, as does red rum punch and other juice-based concoctions. It should be light and drinkable, but it will definitely help parents relax. Since this clearly will be on a high counter where children can not reach, this could be where you place some of your spookier or more delicate items.

According to Pinterest, all Halloween food needs to look like severed fingers or mummies. If your toddler is like mine, they won't eat something if it looks at all different than what they expect. For young kids, it's probably better to avoid anything too creepy or outlandish — consider the goal is to keep them fed and satisfied and parents relaxed. Comforting a terrified toddler should not be on the menu.

Easy games and activities are what's really going to set this party in motion. Stack some decorated toilet paper or soda bottles for a fun bowling game. Kids will love watching the pumpkin lumber toward the the toilet paper and then will be occupied trying to stack them again.

Sometimes kids need a space to sit back and relax, especially in social settings. Consider having a few Halloween-inspired books out. This will give children a chance to recharge and parents a chance to read and bond with their child over a new story. If you're feeling really generous, these would also make great party favors, so if a book happens to get chewed on a little, it won't be a big deal.

Teaching kids how to think critically is a big element of the Common Core and STEM programs. Just because a party is supposed to be fun doesn't mean you can't dip their toes into the learning pool. Have kids guess the weight of various pumpkins or how many candy corn pieces are in a jar. Prizes and bragging rights will ensure that toddlers will not want to wait for next year's party.