Halloween and all the masks and darker costumes often scare children. That provides an opportunity to chat about truth, reality, and pretend.

1. Start with doing some optical illusions.Place a pencil in a glass and look at it from the side. The pencil appears to be broken. It’s caused by water refraction.

Check some many optical illusions at http://www.illusions.org/

Such illusions trick the mind or the eye and we don’t see the truth. Use these to chat about understanding truth and discovering facts.

Read Mark 8:18 and Ephesians 1:18. Then discuss praying for truth.

2. Chat about fear and how masks, the unknown, and even sounds can frighten us. In a dark place, like a closet, check out how shapes can look. Shine a flashlight on what looked scary to see the real items.

Play with shadows on a wall.

We can’t see in the dark. Paul talks about how we see dimly know now, but one day we will see clearly. That’s in 1 Corinthians 13:12

3. Play and dress up is good for children.

• It helps with language development
• It inspires their imaginations
• Helps them understand other people as they play the role of someone else
• Allows practice on how to behave and react in situations
• It encourages social interaction
• It helps them think through situations

Enjoy some dress up play, illusions, and other seasonal fun while teaching truths.

Karen Whiting