I didn’t grow up celebrating Halloween. We were the porch-light-off family. No costumes, no candy, no cobweb décor, just another night on the calendar.
So now, as an adult with full agency and a taste for magic? I go all out. Halloween is my holiday now. It’s whimsical, a little wild, and brimming with the kind of creative chaos I never got to experience as a kid.
And the movies? Don’t even get me started, Hocus Pocus is practically a seasonal sacrament.
The first time I celebrated Halloween in England, my boyfriend told me wear, and I quote, a “fancy dress” to the party. So naturally, I showed up with a literal fancy red dress. Turns out, over there “fancy dress” means costume. He was baffled. I was fancy. We were both confused.
Why It’s Time to Re-Enchant Halloween
Here’s the thing: mainstream Halloween is a lot. Plastic everything. Junk food by the pound. Sensory overload that can leave little ones frazzled and overstimulated for days. And let’s be honest, the consumerism is enough to make even the friendliest ghost a little grumpy.
But there’s another way.
A holistic Halloween invites us to slow down, stir the cauldron of creativity, and find joy in simple, soulful rituals. Whether you’re raising wild-hearted littles or reclaiming the season for yourself, here are my favorite ideas for a sugar-free, screen-light, soul-deep Halloween.
1. Host a Potion Party for Tiny Ghouls
Transform your kitchen into a potion lab and let the kids create their own magical bedtime brews. Lay out a few gentle herbs in labeled jars — make it theatrical, like they’re selecting ingredients for a spell.
Suggested Herbs:
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Chamomile (calm and cozy)
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Lemon balm (gentle joy)
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Hibiscus (blood-red magic + vitamin C)
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Peppermint (zippy and clear-headed)
Let them add:
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Local honey (for kids over 1)
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A cinnamon stick for stirring spells
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A dried orange slice for potion flair
How to Brew:
Let them scoop 1 tsp of each herb into a tea infuser or muslin bag. Steep in just-boiled water for 5–7 minutes. Sip under candlelight while wearing cloaks, obviously.
2. Enchanting Autumn Crafts (That Actually Use Nature)
Forget glitter and googly eyes. These crafts celebrate the season by bringing the outside in — and they’re perfect for little hands and big imaginations.
Try These Nature-Based Crafts:
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Pinecone spell jars – Paint pinecones with natural pigments, then “charge” them with wishes or affirmations before placing in a special jar or bowl.
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Twig wands – Wrap small branches in yarn, ribbon, or twine and decorate with leaves, feathers, or dried herbs.
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Leaf lanterns – Glue pressed leaves onto a mason jar, pop in a flameless tea light, and watch the glow flicker like forest firelight.
Herbal Scented Playdough Recipe
This is calming, sensory-friendly, and smells amazing.
Lavender & Clove Playdough
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1 cup flour
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½ cup salt
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2 tsp cream of tartar
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1 tbsp coconut oil
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1 cup water
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1 tsp ground clove
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2–3 drops lavender essential oil (optional, skip if under 3 years old)
Mix dry ingredients in a saucepan. Add oil and water, stir over medium heat until it forms a dough. Cool, knead, and store in a jar.
3. Bake a Batch of Pumpkin Muffins Together
Halloween is the perfect excuse to make something festive and nourishing. These pumpkin muffins are free from refined sugar, full of warming spices, and just sweet enough to satisfy tiny goblins.
🎃 Spiced Pumpkin Muffins (Gluten-Free + Naturally Sweetened)
Dry Ingredients:
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3/4 cup all purpose flour
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3/4 cup oat flour
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1/4 tsp baking soda
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1 tsp cinnamon
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½ tsp nutmeg
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¼ tsp cloves
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Pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
Wet Ingredients:
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1 cup pumpkin purée
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
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2 eggs
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¼ cup maple syrup
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2 tsp vanilla extract
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¼ cup coconut oil (melted)
Mix dry + wet ingredients separately, then combine. Scoop into muffin liners. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20–25 minutes. Cool and serve with a dusting of cinnamon or a swirl of coconut cream.
Optional: Let kids top theirs with pumpkin seeds or dried cranberries like edible spell components.
4. Close the Night With a Cozy Herbal Bath & Story
After the excitement, bring the energy down with a slow, soothing ritual that signals the end of the festivities.
🛁 Calming Herbal Bath Blend for Kids
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¼ cup dried lavender
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¼ cup dried calendula
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¼ cup oats (in a muslin bag)
Toss the bag into the bath as the tub fills. Light a beeswax candle and dim the lights. You just made a tiny potion for peace.
5. A Bedtime Story to Bring It All Home
Once pajamas are on and teeth are brushed, wrap up the night with a story that grounds them. One where the magic isn’t just in the costumes or candy — it’s in nature, family, and imagination.
📚 Recommended Reads from My Shelf:
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Mother Goose’s Family Farm – A gentle tale rooted in nature’s rhythms.
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Mother Goose’s Herbal Tales – An enchanting intro to herbal wisdom, perfect for sleepy littles.
These books invite children to see the world as alive, magical, and worth caring for. Just like you do.
Want More Holistic Magic?
Grab my free guide: 40+ Healthy Home Swaps for a Toxin-Free Life
You’ll get simple, high-impact swaps to detox your home without the stress — plus a sneak peek into the kind of seasonal rituals we actually remember.
One Last Thought
You don’t need plastic pumpkins or endless sugar to have a magical Halloween. You just need a little intention, a few herbs, and the courage to do things differently.
And if you ever find yourself at a party in a red cocktail dress when everyone else is dressed like a zombie... just know you’re not alone.
