After the last piece of candy is handed out and the costumes come off, many parents face a new Halloween challenge: getting their sugar-fueled, screen-hyped kids to sleep. Between scary shows, endless scrolling, and late-night excitement, bedtime can turn into a real fright fest.
But according to sleep experts at Eachnight.com, a few simple changes can help families reclaim rest and reset routines—starting the very next night.
🧠 Why Halloween Wrecks Sleep Scary media spikes arousal, and blue light from screens delays melatonin, the hormone that helps us feel sleepy. Add in candy and later-than-usual bedtimes, and it’s no wonder kids struggle to wind down. Sleep is essential for learning, mood, immunity, and growth—and most kids already fall short of recommended sleep hours.
📋 The Halloween Screen Plan (So Easy, It’s Scary) Here’s how to help your little goblins settle down after trick-or-treating:
- Set a “Screen Curfew”: Power down phones, games, and horror clips at least 60 minutes before lights-out.
- Swap to Calm: Replace screen time with a warm bath or shower, dim lighting, a paper book, or soft music.
- Candy Rules: Limit to 2–3 fun-size pieces. Skip chocolate and soda in the evening, especially for younger kids.
- Bedroom Reset: Use night-lights only, keep chargers out of bedrooms, and silence notifications.
- Next-Morning Reset: Get bright light within 30 minutes of waking, serve a protein-rich breakfast, and return to the usual bedtime that night.
🕒 How Much Sleep Do Kids Need? According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine:
Age Group Recommended Sleep (per 24h)
Toddlers
11–14 hours (including naps)
Preschoolers
10–13 hours
School-age
9–12 hours
Teens
8–10 hours
😴 Signs Your Child’s Overtired Look out for hard wake-ups, irritability, hyper “second winds,” dozing off early, or weekend sleep “catch-ups.”
🧺 Try a “Boo Night” BasketEachnight.com suggests a $25 wind-down kit: a paperback book, bubble bath, and a small night-light. It’s a simple way to swap stimulation for soothing.
💬 “Scary media and blue light keep kids’ nervous systems on high alert,” says Carolyn Rousch, sleep expert at Eachnight.com. . “A one-hour screen curfew and a calm, repeatable wind-down help most families protect bedtime, even on Halloween.”
👻 So this year, don’t let spooky fun steal your family’s sleep. A few smart swaps can turn Halloween night into a sweet dream.
Source: Eachnight
Eachnight.com publishes evidence-based sleep guides for families, including age-based sleep needs and parent-friendly routines.