Thread: Avoiding traumatizing young ToT's

Tweet

Hello,

I'm a new member here and have a question. I'd like to do the old 'sit perfectly still in a chair and scare trick or treaters' thing on Halloween, but I don't want to scare the very young ones too much. My idea is to hide a handful of dollar store halloween toys in my sleeves and give out a toy to anyone who seems to be scared after I've leapt at them. Do you think this would help to lessen their fright? Of course, for anyone under four, I'll probably just take off the mask and give them a toy without jumping at them.

yea I try not to scare the younger ones I just stand up slowly or take off mask and show them its all just fun...but the older ones..muhahahaaaaaaaaaa!

It's good to think about this sort of thing in advance. Good for you.

However, I think you'll find that any kid traumatized by you popping out will not be assuaged much by some treat given to them by the very thing that terrified them. Indeed, they may beat feet so fast that you don't get a chance to give them the follow-up gift. You're better off not scaring them in the first place.

The ideal thing to do is to offer an alternate spooky experience that is age-appropriate for your younger visitors. This could be as simple as instead of jumping up and screaming, you just smile and say, "have you come to trick or treat?" Or you could build a separate experience for the younger visitors that is themed just for them.

Another idea I saw somewhere is to hand out a "magic wand" or "magic necklace" or something to the young kids, and tell them that monsters are afraid of it. Then, when you pop out, act scared of the artifact, so that it gives the kids the power to control the scariness of their experience - it may even make it more memorable.

Regardless, I think you'll find that parents will be very appreciative if you don't send their kids away bawling, even if you do give them a trinket afterwards. Scare with care.

nice idea Nephilim! love the magic wand, I've gotta incorporate that this year . God I love this forum sooo many ideas!

I've been using the 'magic wand' for years. You really need to get your actors to be involved and be terrified of it.

90% of the little ones love the idea. Another 8% or so don't want to go in even with the magic wand. And about 2% have been too scared to even get the magic wand in the first place. (typically handed out by my kids, no less, in non-scary costumes)

So, if employing the magic wand method, have some candy out front for those still too scared to go through, be prepared for some too nervous even with the wand, and be prepared for teenagers wanting to collect the magic wands...

It is kinda funny watching 300 kids running around the neighborhood with "magic" glowbracelets on though.

I just still still on the porch with the candy bowl far away. The little ones walk slowly to the bowl grab a treat then leave. The parents usually encourage them to walk up. I dont take off my mask but if I do move I wave hi.

For the middle age kids that are trying to figure out if you are real or not I usually dont jump up or anything, just a slow drop of the arm, head turn, maybe a point at the bowl.

Now the older kids or those that want to grab as much as they can out of the bowl or those that want to touch me, get a nice scare.

This year a sign or chalk board that says X amount of candy might be a good idea. I feel like I should have rules that the kids know.

Depending on your walk traffic, grab a good cd or three that you like. It adds a bit more scare, and helps pass away time.

When I do this, I always pull a tag team operation... one person dressed up, and another close by to warn the costumed person when the really little ones are coming up... it's too hard to tell when you're wearing a mask how old the kiddos are.

My wife stands at the end of the driveway and warns the parents, most of the time the parents say "oh they'll be fine" Sometimes she just gives them the candy right there.

As I mentioned, I won't be trying to scare the really young ones. My mask allows me to see pretty well, so I should be able to tell the kid's ages I still want to give out a little toy to some of the kids, though, because looking back on my childhood I would have been very excited about recieving a toy along with candy.

I do as DG does.Small kids I move very slowly and wave,makes them nervous but usually not terrified.Older kids come here to get scared,they like to try a see if they can tell which things are real and which are not.The wife stands at the door,not in costume and tells the small ones its ok,and hands out the candy.