Halloween with a baby or toddler: costumes, face paint and sweets

Quick answer: Buy costumes from a reputable shop, check for a UKCA or CE mark, remove long cords and keep children away from candles. Start a face paint patch test at least a week before. Keep lollipops away from under-threes, and hard round sweets and mini eggs until your child is a confident eater. Use a dim, familiar bedtime routine afterwards.

What parents need to know

By 31 October it's getting dark at about 5pm. That means a first trick-or-treat or costume party often happens after dark, with candles, decorations and a bowl of sweets at a toddler's eye level.

CAPT warns that cheap costumes may not meet UK safety standards. In 2024 the Office for Product Safety and Standards tested 128 children's costumes bought from online marketplaces, aimed at under-sevens, and more than 80% failed basic safety tests. The failures included flammability and strangulation risks from cords. OPSS chose these costumes for their low price, poor reviews and apparent low quality, so the figure isn't a national failure rate.

Choosing a safer costume

CAPT says many fancy dress costumes aren't made to the same safety standards as everyday clothing. They can catch fire almost instantly and burn much faster. Paying a little more at a reputable shop or website lowers the risk.

Read the label

Look for a UKCA or CE mark. CAPT explains that this doesn't make a costume fireproof, but it means the costume has been tested and should burn more slowly. The British Retail Consortium has also brought in stricter tests, so look for a label that says "This garment has undergone additional safety testing for flammability".

Check for cords and ties

In the OPSS tests, 61 of the 74 costumes checked for cords and drawstrings failed. Cords and drawstrings around the head and neck can strangle or trap a child. Check for long ones before your child wears the costume, and remove them or choose a costume without them.

Layer up and keep away from flames

Put normal clothes on under the costume. CAPT notes that this layer helps protect the skin if the costume catches fire. At parties and on doorsteps, keep your child well away from lit pumpkins, candles and other heat sources the whole time.

Testing face paint before the day

CAPT suggests face paint rather than a mask for trick-or-treating, because masks make it harder for children to see and hear traffic. The skin on the face, and especially the eyelids, is thinner and reacts more easily to irritants, according to Allergy UK. An allergic reaction may not show until several hours or even days later, so test well ahead of the night.

1. Check the ingredients. Fragrances (listed as "parfum") and preservatives are the most common causes of reactions to cosmetics.
2. Do a small patch test. Allergy UK's method is to apply the product to a 50p-sized area in the elbow crease, morning and night, for up to a week.
3. Look for itching, redness or small bumps. If any appear, don't use that paint.
4. On the night, keep paint away from the eyes and eyelids, and wash it off before bed.

Sweets that are a choking risk

Young children have narrow airways and are still learning to chew, breathe and swallow in the right order. CAPT names several typical Halloween treats among the foods to avoid until a child is a confident eater. Sort through the bag at home before your child gets to it, and save treats for later rather than letting them eat while walking or running.

Small objects from party bags and decorations

CAPT says that anything smaller than a 2p coin can choke a young child. Cheap toys and party-bag fillers may not meet the safety standards for under-threes, so check them for loose small parts. Broken balloons can seal a child's airway, so keep crawling babies off the floor until any pieces are cleared away.

Lights, candles and being seen after dark

Flameless LED candles lower the fire risk, but many of them, and their remote controls, run on button batteries. The same goes for light-up pumpkins, wands and torches. CAPT advises checking that the battery compartment is closed with a screw or similar fastener, because a swallowed button battery can badly hurt or kill a small child.

If you use real candles, keep them out of the way of trick-or-treaters and decorations, put them on a surface that won't burn, and blow them out when you're done. Bright or fluorescent clothing helps your child be seen while it's still light. Reflective tape on a costume or pram shows up in car headlights at dusk.

Settling your child after a busy evening

A familiar routine helps your child's body clock and helps them relax. The Sleep Charity suggests starting it about an hour before sleep and keeping the same steps in the same order every night.

1. Dim the lights and turn off screens as soon as you get home. Both help the body produce melatonin, the sleep hormone.
2. Choose a quiet activity, such as bricks, a jigsaw or a book.
3. Give a bath if it's part of your usual routine, and use it to wash off face paint.
4. Keep cuddles and goodnights the same length as on any other night, then say your usual phrase, such as "It's sleep time".
5. If your child gets up, stay calm and keep conversation and eye contact to a minimum.
6. Keep to the usual wake-up time the next morning so the body clock doesn't drift.

Frequently asked questions

Is it OK for a toddler to wear a mask?

CAPT suggests saving masks for indoors because they make it harder for children to see and hear traffic. Face paint is a better choice for trick-or-treating.

Are face paints labelled "hypoallergenic" or "natural" safe to skip testing?

No. Allergy UK warns that products described as hypoallergenic or natural can still contain common allergens, so patch test them in the same way.

What should I do if face paint causes a rash?

Wash it off and stop using the product on that area. Allergy UK advises getting medical advice if the reaction is severe or doesn't settle within a few days. For a baby or toddler, your pharmacist, health visitor or GP can advise.