Halloween is hands down my favorite time of year, and one of my most cherished traditions to kick off the spooky season is creating a Boo Basket for my daughter. It’s a fun, simple way to get her excited about the festive season ahead, and the best part? It doesn’t have to break the bank! I love how the basket can grow with her interests each year, and it adds an extra layer of magic to our Halloween traditions.
What goes into a "Boo Basket?"
Creating your Boo Basket
I like to keep things simple by reusing my daughter’s trick-or-treat basket from last year. It’s fun, familiar, and adds a sense of nostalgia when she sees it come out again. You can use any type of container you like—whether it’s a basket, bucket, or even a festive tote bag from Michaels or JoAnn’s.
If you love her treat bag, I bought it from Marleylilly (not sponsored) on sale for $20.00.
Last year, I snagged a cute “BOO” flag at an end-of-season sale for just $1, which I attach to the basket for an extra festive touch. You could easily DIY a similar flag using paper and ribbon if you’re feeling crafty!
Halloween Pajamas
What’s Halloween without some cozy PJs? This year, I found a cute pair at TJ Maxx for $10 with my daughter's favorite sisters, Bluey and Bingo. I think Walmart and Target have great affordable options, too of this design and more. Last year, I went all out and bought 3-4 pairs for her to wear throughout the season, but this time around I toned it down with just one.—
A Good Book
I always include a new Halloween-themed book in the Boo Basket. My trick is to shop for them after Halloween when they go on sale, so I have something fresh to add each year without overspending. If your child is still young, even reusing books you already own feels like a new surprise after being out of sight for months.
Bath Fun: “Oopie Goopies” and Fizzy Tub Colors
Next up is bath fun, or what we call “Oopie Goopies,” aka bathtub finger paints. I found these neon-colored bath paints at the Dollar 25 store, and they come in green, purple, orange, and a mystery color which is perfect for Halloween. I also added some Fizzy Tub Colors, which we use for “science experiments” during bath time. It’s a great way for Munchie to learn about colors and how they mix...just be sure to test them out on your tub first to avoid any staining mishaps!
Bubble Cauldron for Endless Fun
I found an adorable bubble cauldron in the $5 section of the Dollar 25 store, and since Munchie is currently in a bubble phase, I knew it would be a hit! It’ll give her plenty of joy and hopefully give mom a good 10 minutes of peace while she plays!
DISCLAIMER: Purchase with caution. After pulling ours out of the box and testing it, the wands were not dipping into the cauldron correctly. I flipped the dippers and now it works half the time. It could have just been a fluke on the one we bought, but purchase with caution!
Stickers Galore
Stickers are always a big deal in our house, so I added two Halloween-themed sticker books to the basket. I made sure they weren’t too spooky but still festive enough to keep with the Halloween theme. Both were budget-friendly finds from the Dollar 25 store.
Halloween Toy for the Tonie Box
If you haven’t heard of the Tonie Box, and you have a toddler, you’re missing out! My daughter loves swapping out the figurines to play her favorite songs and stories. This year, I found a Halloween-themed Tonie on Amazon to add to her collection. If you’re feeling creative, you could even get a blank Tonie and record yourself reading Halloween books—something I plan to do once my pregnancy schedule calms down.
Rubber Duckies for Sensory Play
I always throw in a few fun extras, like rubber duckies. While they mostly stay in the tub, Munchie loves carrying them around the house. They’re simple, but they add a lot of fun to both bath and sensory play! I bought these from Target in the dollar section when they first arrived in the store.
Additional Boo Basket Ideas
If you’re looking to personalize your Boo Basket a bit more, here are some extra ideas:
Halloween-Themed Socks or Slippers: Cozy and practical.
Glow-in-the-Dark Toys: Perfect for nighttime fun.
Craft Kits: Great for making Halloween decorations.
Mini Puzzles or Games: Something small and seasonal.
Costume Accessories: Headbands, masks, or capes for dress-up.
Pumpkin Decorating Kit: A no-mess alternative to carving.
One of my favorite parts of creating the Boo Basket is using it as a signal to swap out the books around our house. I replace our regular reads with Halloween and fall-themed books, and it really feels like we’re kicking off the new season!
Keep It Simple or Go All Out
I’ll admit, I go a little overboard with my Boo Baskets because Halloween is my absolute favorite, but you don’t have to! A new book, their favorite candy bar, or a small toy can be just as special. It’s the thought that counts, and it’s such a fun way to welcome the spooky season into your home.
And don’t forget to download my free Halloween poem to add a personal touch to your Boo Basket! It’s a fun way to make the basket even more magical, and your kids will love the extra surprise. Just print it out, tuck it in, and let the spooky season begin!
Grab your freebie here!!
Until next time,
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