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Original poster

To complain that Halloween party was too scary

58 replies

strawberriesandcream23 · 24/10/2025 18:21

Now my daughter is a sensitive soul however we attended a Halloween party for an activity club she does earlier this week (ages 4-6) and the decorations were terrifying! I imagined it would be a party with Halloween crafts, a few games and dancing etc however we turned up to a room completely dark with a huge creepy clown hanging from the door to enter followed by figures activated by movement which jumped up and make creepy noises. We had to leave early as she was absolutely terrified and now wont sleep and won’t go through any doors alone as she thinks the clown man is gonna be hanging there. Now I know Halloween is meant to be scary but is this inappropriate for that age group? I mean only one other child seemed scared so maybe it’s just my child

OP posts:
Original poster
strawberriesandcream23 · 24/10/2025 18:39

Thanks for all the replies. I would have never have taken her if I thought it would’ve have been like that, the clown pretty was scary 😂
We did a family fun ghost train thing last year which she loved but it wasn’t creepy scary, no clowns covered in blood , more like a few decorations and witches etc, this was another level. But lesson learnt, no Halloween activities for a while!

OP posts:
SodOffbacktoaibu · 24/10/2025 18:38

Going against the grain it seems but aged 4-6... That's totally inappropriate. Just because people seem to have lost all sight of what is age appropriate does not make it ok.

My son's friends were playing GTA aged 10. They seemed ok with it. Does not actually mean it is ok.

Arlanymor · 24/10/2025 18:34

I think you said it yourself in your post where you mentioned she was a sensitive soul. Both my goddaughters loved that kind of thing at that age and would beg to go again! if your daughter is within the age group and others seemed to be enjoying it then I think it would be unfair to complain. Instead seek out 'no scare' activities - even Disney do them acknowledging that not all kids are the same.

Livpool · 24/10/2025 18:31

I HATE clowns but it sounds age appropriate to me. Has your daughter not seen anything like this before? Loads of houses round here are gory so maybe we are just numb to it!

Hope your daughter recovers soon

OptiMumm · 24/10/2025 18:31

My kids would've loved that.

My friend's kids would've hate it.

Much like kids the world over really.

As always, it's down to the parents to check, especially if their kids are sensitive.

You'll make yourself look very silly if you try to put your mistake onto the organisers.

TardisDweller · 24/10/2025 18:30

Perhaps Halloween parties just aren't for her yet, a lot of places do 'gentle' or 'scare free' days now.

Overthebow · 24/10/2025 18:30

If only one other was scared then it probably wasn’t the decorations. My 5 year old dd would have loved it as she likes these kind of things.

Whaleandsnail6 · 24/10/2025 18:28

I wouldn't complain, especially if only one other child was scared... doesn't sound like it was particularly inappropriate if the majority liked it

I think its a lesson learnt for you that maybe this year your daughter doesn't like Halloween themed things. I'd choose some funny decorations for home with her and try and show her Halloween doesn't have to be scary for her

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