The other day I watched a segment on The Today Show about inappropriate Halloween costumes for children. It featured everything from a baby dressed as a cigarette to an older child in a pimp outfit. I like to think most parents are making better decisions than that when it comes to selecting Halloween gear for their kids. And from what I can tell, they are. Nevertheless, it made me think about Halloween and what’s appropriate for kids at different ages. After all, Halloween can be a scary time if parents aren’t careful. Here are a few things to consider based on the age of your child.

Babies and Toddlers

It’s nearly impossible for babies and toddlers to detect the difference between reality and fantasy. In fact, the older kids in this group are only beginning to understand the meaning of pretend. That’s where you come in. Try to reinforce the concept of make-believe with other pretend experiences, like playing dress-up or acting like a favorite storybook character or animal. Above all, avoid scary costumes and masks of any kind. These kids are definitely not ready for haunted houses or zombie parades, so take a rain check on those until they reach the teen years.

Preschoolers

This may be the most difficult age of all when it comes to understanding what’s appropriate and what’s not. That’s because kids between the ages of 3 and 5 have extremely active imaginations. If they see something, they think it’s real. The best approach is to keep costumes friendly and mask-free. Talk with your child about what it means to pretend, and discuss what’s real and what’s not—maybe even using some everyday examples to reinforce your point. If you sense that your child is feeling anxious in the days leading up to Halloween, let him get used to his costume by wearing it around the house. Plan to trick-or-treat early in the evening before any big kids with scary costumes arrive on the scene. And, yes, you still need to stay away from the haunted houses and zombie parades.

Early Elementary

This is the age when kids begin to think more logically. While that can be helpful in terms of understanding what’s real and what’s make-believe, they may be more tuned in to rational fears like blood and gore. At this age, many kids will tell you they’re not afraid. Trouble is, they probably are. It’s best to avoid scary movies and television shows that could come back to haunt your child in the form of nightmares or other forms of anxiety. At this age, your child may say he’s ready for haunted houses and zombie parades, but he really isn’t.

Late Elementary

This is the age when kids start to think more rationally about fear. Typical childhood fears are on the way out, but social anxiety and not fitting in with peer groups now take center stage. Kids this age often choose costumes they think will surprise or upset the adults in their life. Unfortunately, these costumes also scare young children, and may not be appropriate for this reason. Is it finally time for the haunted houses and zombie parades? Well, maybe. Just know your child and be aware of his tolerance for high-anxiety situations.