Hello Everybody - are you ready for Halloween?

As pumpkins glow, decorations are set and costumes come out of hiding, Halloween gives us the perfect excuse to play, sing, and make memories together.  For us at TipToe Music, this season isn’t just about trick-or-treating it’s about creating meaningful family traditions through music, connection, and a little spooky fun.

Why Do Holidays Like Halloween Matter for Little Ones?

For babies and young children, holidays are more than just cute photos and costumes—they’re opportunities to build early memories and family rituals that last a lifetime.  Research from Macquarie University shows that when parents talk with their children about shared experiences, asking questions like “What did you see?” or “How did that feel?” those moments are remembered more vividly and for longer. These small, repeated rituals form the foundation for what psychologists call core memories—the emotional anchors that shape how we feel about family, belonging, and joy. And when you add music to those moments the memory becomes even stronger. Studies from the University of Edinburgh found that family music-making (like singing together in a Music Together^®-style class) strengthens emotional bonds, increases communication, and helps children feel more connected to their caregivers. So yes, your silly Halloween songs and wiggly pumpkin dances actually matter more than you think!

The Magic of Music and Pretend Play

Halloween is a time for imagination and sensory exploration. Costumes, pumpkin textures, candlelight, and music all help children experience the world in new ways.  Music amplifies that learning:

• Rhythm and repetition help babies develop coordination and pattern recognition.

• Singing and movement build language, motor, and emotional regulation skills.

• Playful “scary fun” (think spooky songs or ghostly peekaboo) lets children safely explore emotions like surprise and excitement what researchers call “recreational fear.”

In other words, your little one’s happy shrieks during Halloween  (and our classes) aren’t just adorable—they’re developmental gold.

Musical “Things to Do With My Little One” This Halloween

Want to bring the magic home? Here are a few easy, TipToe-inspired ideas to celebrate Halloween musically with your baby or toddler:

1. Pumpkin Drum Jam - tap on mini pumpkins or Tupperware “drums” while singing a short chant:

   “Pumpkin, pumpkin, round and bright, tap your rhythm, what a sight!” or if you're in our classes this Fall sing our Halloween version of Shake Those Simmon's Down!

2. Costume Parade with Instruments - dress up together and parade around to a steady beat. Use shakers, bells, or pots and pans, babies in particular love the sound of marching feet and music in motion!

3. Spooky Lullaby Time - end the day by dimming the lights and singing a soft “ghostly” lullaby. The gentle melody paired with your voice signals safety and love—especially important after an exciting day.

4. Shadow Dancing - turn on a lamp and dance with scarves or ribbons to spooky tunes. Watch your shadows move - babies can find this fascinating and it helps build visual awareness.  We also do a version of this with our Rhythm Kids^® in class to support partnership work!

5. Family Story Sing-Along -  after your class or trick-or-treat adventure, talk about what you saw (“Who wore the biggest hat?”) and make up a simple song about it. Storytelling through song helps your child build narrative memory—even before they can talk.

Building Family Traditions Through Music

In England when I was growing up, we didn't really celebrate Halloween, making spooky music used to feel alien to me, but since my kids arrived (and one claims Halloween to be his favourite of all the holidays even his birthday!) We now have our own family traiditons that we have come to enjoy over the years - in fact I think they get better every year!

Traditions don’t have to be big or elaborate they’re simply moments we choose to repeat with love. Singing a certain song each Halloween, dancing with your little one in costume, or joining one of our TipToe Music Halloween Classes are all ways to build your family’s story.  

Music gives those memories a soundtrack. Long after the pumpkins are gone, your child will remember laughter, drumming, and fun! At TipToe Music, we believe every song shared between you and your child becomes part of your family’s history, it's a reminder that connection doesn’t need perfection, just participation.

So this Halloween why not start a new tradition your family will cherish for years to come and maybe you'll see music, memory, and magic coming together.

I hope you have a blast trick or treating!

E-J