Maria Montessori believed that until around the age of six, a child’s mind is absorbent.
This means that children take in everything they see, hear, and feel — without yet being able to distinguish clearly between what is real and what is imaginary. And that last point is important: for a young child, it can be very difficult to separate fantasy from reality. Just imagine how frightening Halloween can be through their eyes! That’s why Maria Montessori advised limiting scary or fantastical stories during this sensitive period.
But then, how can we offer our children a Halloween celebration that truly meets their developmental needs?
After all, the idea is not to exclude them from an celebration that has become such a big part of our culture. You’ll easily find pumpkin recipes and fun crafts online — but I’d like to offer something a little different, something close to my heart.
I invite you to share a gentle Halloween in the forest with your child.
Let’s leave behind witches, ghosts, and spooky creatures, and instead step into the calm and beauty of the woods to explore the real symbols of Halloween together:
đź•· Spiders weave their delicate webs in sheltered corners, safe from the crisp autumn wind.
It’s a perfect time to observe them, count their legs, and notice that spiders aren’t insects — they have eight legs, while insects always have six.
🍂 Skeleton leaves cover the ground, their delicate veins the only part that remains.
My children love studying them — they’re so fine and intricate, like pieces of jewelry. Encourage your child’s curiosity: “Wow, the leaf blade disappeared first.… Do you have an idea why?” This peaceful forest moment can open up a gentle conversation about death and the cycle of life. Leaves grow from buds, feed the tree through summer, and fall in autumn. As they decompose, they nourish the soil with rich humus, so that life can begin again in a few months.
🍄 Mushrooms of every shape and color peek out from under leaves and tree stumps.
Instead of picking them for a “magic potion,” you can turn it into a treasure hunt — finding as many as you can and imagining the vast network of mycelium hidden beneath your feet. Young explorers will be fascinated!
And if you wish, you can still bring along a few sweets in your pocket — just to add a touch of sweetness to the walk.
It’s also a lovely way to avoid the usual “trick or treat” approach. One of my children once said she felt uncomfortable with it: “it’s getting something sweet because the other person is scared…” It didn’t feel kind or fair to her.
This gentle Halloween walk in the forest offers a beautiful alternative..
It allows you to celebrate Halloween with authenticity, wonder, and a deep connection to nature.
The forest has so much to offer your child — quiet beauty, discovery, and peace.
Follow me on Instagram @lil.discoveries for more nature-inspired ideas. I made this short video for a gentle Halloween — hope you enjoy it!
