Pack your wagons! And don’t be afraid of those little goblins that boo (hoo).
From a mom who’s been around the block a few times, here are some must-haves for your Halloween bag of tricks—everything you need for a night without any bumps in the dark!
Wagon: With little ones, having a great wagon is key. It saves the little legs, gives them a place to catch their breath and helps you cover more ground (score more candy for Mom to steal later!). Look for a wagon with sturdy wheels to handle the curbs. Radio Flyermakes some good ones.
All-Terrain Steel & Wood Wagon, $150, Radio Flyer
Glow-in-the-dark pillowcase: Don’t forget to pop a pillow in the wagon to make the ride cozier and give early sleepers a spot to crash. Glow-in-the-dark pillowcases kick up the fun factor on fright night. They also make spectacular candy bags!
Fanny pack: A great fanny pack keeps Mom’s hands free! Etsy sells a wide selection of custom packs that redefine the neon-colored accessories from the ’80s.
Flashlight: Pack easy-to-hold, clip-on flashlights. Think sturdy for unsteady hands.
Melissa & Doug Mollie Flashlight, $13, Toys R Us
BuddyTag: Rein in little runners in with BuddyTag bracelets. Download the app, slip bracelets on their wrists and keep track of wandering ones on your iPhone.
Walkie-talkies: These are a great communication strategy for those years when the kids are old enough to wander ahead on their own, but are too young for an iPhone. This system is a great way to give parents peace of mind, and Motorola has fun colors.
Motorola MT352R Talkabout Radios, $80, Walmart
Cocktails: Bring along the spirits for Mom and Dad. Try a discreet disposable version for convenient porch-side good cheer.
Umbrella: If you pack it, it won’t come. Really. Scare the rain away with an umbrella. Brolly umbrellasare easy for little ones to hold onto, and you can find them at your neighborhood 7-Eleven.
Hand warmers: Don’t let frozen fingers stop the fun. Zippo zaps frostbite.
Hand Warmer, $20, Zippo
Trick-or-treating map: If you are covering new ground, do your research at Nextdoor.com, where you can compile a “treat map” right online. Just sign in and map your route. Print or access through your iPhone.
Light-up dog leash: Don’t look over ole Rover. Light up his night with a light-up dog leash.
Instant memories: Make photos simple. Snap, tap and send real signed postcards to Grandma and Grandpa (no matter where they live) with just a click thanks to Postcard On The Run.
