Pictures, albums and home video may be the only way children ever know they even participated in trick or treating as a baby. Who are we kidding? We all know the fun of baby’s first Halloween or two is more for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and siblings. Here are some suggestions for saving money on baby’s first trick or treat experience as well as safety tips to make the night as fun as it can be.

Be Frugal with Baby’s First Halloween Costume

The first Halloween costume should be special, but that doesn’t mean it has to break the bank? Before you go crazy spending out of your budget for a Halloween outfit for baby, try networking with other parents. Many parents save their own children’s first costumes. They may be open to swapping costumes with you or willing to sell their little one’s old costume at a minimal cost. If this isn’t an option for you and you find you need to purchase your baby’s costume, there are lots of children’s thrift stores and boutiques that carry precious Halloween outfits in the month of October. Another option for making sure baby’s first costume is cute and inexpensive outfit is to check eBay.

Safety Tips to Keep Baby’s Safe and Sound

• Pass On Inhibiting Costume Items

Babies do not like to wear masks and most will fight and cry in discomfort if you put them in costumes that restrict their movements.

• Avoid Scary Masks and Costumes

Don’t be surprised if older babies are frightened by other people’s masks and costumes as well. This is not a time to instill fear into your baby. Sometimes adults and older children find it funny to show babies “the ropes” without realizing they can inadvertently scare infants.

• Keep Weather Conditions in Mind

When choosing your costume, keep in mind what your weather will most likely be that time of year. In the northern part of the U.S., it is not unusual for children to wear coats over their costumes. The more south you go, you may have children overdressed in 80 degree weather. That adorable fur bear or lion outfit may not be the most comfortable outfit for baby if you live in an area that’s still a bit warm on Halloween. Don’t over or undress baby.

• Give Family & Friends a Call Ahead Before Visiting

You have special people in your life that you’ll want to share baby’s first Halloween with. A phone call ahead to these people to be sure they are going to be home will help ensure that pictures (or videos) of baby with this special someone can be taken. Try and make your plans up to a week ahead. You don’t want to be disappointed later when trying to scrapbook your child’s first trick or treat experience and someone is missing.

Celebrate Baby’s First Halloween Again and Again

Just like every other first for your little one, you’ll want to keep record of his or her first Halloween with pictures, video and other keepsake items. One way you can do this is by creating a scrapbook that will preserve these items for years to come. Get creative in how you layout your album. Don’t be afraid to take pictures with props that symbolize the holiday and the season. Hay bails and pumpkins are just a few ideas; you can also check with your local craft store for other embellishments such as stamps, stencils and more.

Memories are something we all have. With some extra care and planning, Halloween and your baby’s first trick or treat experience can be most memorable for everyone involved. Who knows, that adorable first Halloween costums might find their way into the senior year book later.

No matter what costume you choose or how you remember the day, keep the tips and suggestions above in mind for a safe, happy and fun Halloween.

It is great to be a kid during Halloween. You get to have lots of candies from your neighbors that you will enjoy throughout the rest of the week. As a parent, you should know and teach your children some safety tips.

First, the Halloween costums you make or purchase must be flame resistant. Make sure that this is not too long because they could trip and fall. To check, make them walk around the house and ask if the length is okay.

When they are going out, make sure they have their loot bag in hand and labeled so no one will get it by mistake.

Never let your kids go trick or treating alone. They should be accompanied by an adult. If the parents can’t do it, assign someone older to go with them. You can also check if the neighborhood committee has plans to do this in groups so your child is able to go with them.

When your children go around the neighborhood, tell them never to knock or enter the house of someone they don’t know. They should only visit houses of people you or they know personally. If the house they are visiting has a lighted jack lantern, tell them not to go near it because their costume could catch fire if they get too close.

If the house they are going to does not have the porch light on, it means that no one is home so they should just move on.

They must also never accept candies from strangers since they may bump into a few of them while they are walking down the street.

So it is not too late, make sure that they go trick or treating only in the later afternoon or evening. If the sun has already gone down, tell them to only walk in streets that are well lit. Before they cross, make sure that they look both ways and walk. Never run.

As an added precaution, let your kids wear reflective tape or carry a flashlight so drivers will be able to see them when they are crossing the street.

With all the excitement going on, your kids might want to take some shortcuts to get to the next house. Since it is dark, tell them not to do it and just stick to the main road.

Your kids should also be given a few quarters or maybe a cellular phone. Who knows, they may need you to pick them up.

You should give specific instructions as to what time your children must return home. Once they arrive, welcome them and then examine all their goodies. You are not doing this to get your share of the loot but to check if these are safe to eat. There have been instances in the past where candies handed out were tainted and some kids ended up in the hospital. If you don’t want your child to be a victim, examine each one carefully. If everything checks out, give it back and let them enjoy it.

Halloween is supposed to be fun especially for the kids since it is not everyday that they can go out, wear a costume and bring home a lot of goodies. As a parent, make sure that you have done everything possible to make them understand the dangers of going out at night so they will be able to come home safely.