What is Halloween? A Spooktacular Guide for Kids

What is Halloween? – Easily Explain to Children

My Son Recently asked me – What is Halloween? At First I was Baffled I know we go trick or treating on the 31st October every year but I did not know the history behind Halloween, So after learning I decided to put together this guide to explain to children what is Halloween.

Where did Halloween Begin?

Halloween started around 150 years ago in Rome which is in Italy. Festivals were held in honour “Pomona” who was their goddess of fruitful abundance in Ancient Roman religion and myth. Honouring Promo was believed to bring healthy crops and fruit to harvest.

Many cultures also celebrated the Festival of the Dead (Scary Stuff) which honoured their deceased (This word that means – People who have died). The Festivals of the dead occurred once the large harvest of foods (Generally between the months of August & November). Believe it or not these festivals lavish affairs with lots of food and drink for everyone who attended, they could also last up to 3 days at a time.

Christians although only some religions an “All Soul’s Day” which is  also known as “Feast of All Souls”. This day is a celebration and honours the deceased who committed to their religion throughout their lifetimes.

As We Learn What Halloween is, you can already see that this has always been a very serious celebration, which is believed to honour the dead and worship for food.

Where did the word Halloween come from?

The Word we know as Halloween today actually comes from the term “All-Hallows-Evening”. The word Hallow means honour something whilst saying the object or person is Holy or Sacred. In other words for the purpose of Halloween we must remember and honour the dead.

So why do we carve pumpkins, pumpkins are very much like Jack-0’-lanterns and the lanterns where and are used as a way of worshipping and remembering dead souls who may well be in trouble.

What is Halloween – Read a little Further

Dating back to the middle ages the good children of Europe generally the poorest of children used to go from door to door singing their hearts out and giving a prayer for the dearly departed (oh that’s another way of saying a person who has died) – You may see in the image below the little girl was also wearing a mask.

Each time they arrived at a door they were handed cake to eat from the owners and the term for this was called “Souling”.

Transformed to Trick or Treat

Over the years, the Halloween tradition has become a little more about getting sweeties and in some cases money handed out from neighbours (Although Personally I prefer the Sweets).  Halloween is a fun, but scary celebration that allows you to say “TRICK OR TREAT”. If you do not get the treat it is time to play a trick, I am sure your little ones will not be too mischievous!

So, when your kids put on there scary costume and set off through the streets looking for their victims to scare you could tell them what Halloween is if they ever ask!

I would love to hear what tricks you are going to be playing this year, if that unfortunate neighbour does not give you a sweet treat.

What is Halloween – Well Hopefully you now know a little more about this fantastic time of year.

Think you have got it, then great! If you would like even more information regarding the History behind Halloween then visit this Halloween WIKI page.

Psssst.. Before you go, why not take a look at some more Halloween Ideas or simply start looking at some of the below Halloween Post’s we have already created.

• DIY Halloween Scary Treats
• DIY Halloween Party
• DIY Adult Halloween Costume – Mrs Dracula
• What is Halloween? A Spooktacular Guide for Kids

If you would like to know a little more About me

Love Pinterest, then why not contact me and be invited to pin to this Halloween Creatively Crafty Board..

 

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