The Brain-Boosting Power of Halloween

Halloween might be the biggest pretend play event of the year. Children roam the streets in costume, act out roles, and interact with neighbors in character. It’s like a giant neighborhood play, except the audience hands out candy.

But beyond the spooky fun, Halloween offers something far more powerful. Halloween gives young people a chance to build creativity, confidence, and empathy through imaginative role play. And in today’s world, that kind of play is more important than ever.

Halloween Is Theatre, Just Without the Stage

At Orlando Family Stage, we believe every child is already a performer. Halloween proves it. We see this all the time in our classrooms. Children naturally step into roles, take emotional risks, and stretch their imaginations when they pretend. Whether they become a brave astronaut, a spooky ghost, or a favorite movie hero, they are imagining what it feels like to be someone else. It’s play, yes, but it’s also practice. Halloween gives them permission to take creative risks in public, and that builds bravery.

What’s Happening in Their Brains

Underneath the costumes and candy, Halloween is a brain workout in disguise. When kids dress up and role play, their brains engage across multiple regions:

• Prefrontal cortex: planning how to act in character, making choices, managing impulses
  
• Temporal lobes: telling stories, remembering lines, using expressive language
  
• Amygdala: processing excitement, anticipation, and even a little fear

Dr. Stuart Brown, founder of the National Institute for Play, calls roleplay “a gym for the prefrontal cortex.” It’s not just fun; it’s cognitive strength training. When kids pretend, they practice the very skills that help them solve problems, build relationships, and navigate real life.

In today’s world, imaginative, face-to-face play is more essential than ever.

Kids today are growing up in a world full of fast-paced screens, social pressures, and emotional overload. Creative, in-person play gives them something they are increasingly missing: a space to express feelings and make real-time human connections.

Wearing a costume can even help shy or anxious children try on new roles and behaviors. For shy or anxious children, the costume becomes a kind of armor, permitting them to step into boldness they may not feel on a regular day.

At Orlando Family Stage, we work with young people every day who grow through creative exploration and imaginative role play, whether they’re becoming dragons, dreamers, or detectives. The shift in confidence and connection is real.

How It Connects to Theatre Education

The skills we teach at Orlando Family Stage, collaboration, self-expression, and creative risk-taking, come to life on Halloween night.

When a child designs their own costume, negotiates roles with friends, or stays in character as a spooky pirate, they are:

• Practicing creative thinking
  
• Navigating social collaboration
  
• Learning to read emotions and facial expressions
  
• Building confidence in unfamiliar environments

We often say our theatre classrooms look a lot like Halloween in action: brave choices, big feelings, and endless imagination.

Bringing the Magic Home: Tips for Families

Want to turn Halloween fun into deeper learning? Try these playful, brain-boosting activities:

Character Chats
Ask: “What’s your character’s backstory?” “What are they scared of?” “What do they want most in the world?” This builds empathy and storytelling skills.

Mini Halloween Plays
Let your child direct a spooky (or silly!) skit at home. Use stuffed animals, action figures, or dress-up clothes. Bonus points for sound effects and lighting!

After the Candy, Have a Conversation
Ask, “Did your costume help you feel different or braver tonight?” “What surprised you about being in character?”

Books That Extend the Play
Read stories where characters transform or pretend. Then connect them to your child’s costume or experience.

Join Them in the Make-Believe
Don a cape, speak in a silly accent, or play along as their scene partner. When grown-ups join the play, kids feel seen and empowered.

Final Thought: Halloween is More Than Candy

Yes, Halloween is thrilling and sugar-filled. But it’s also a chance for kids to explore identity, rehearse bravery, and practice creativity, exactly the kind of growth we foster in theatre education every day.

So the next time you see a dinosaur politely saying “thank you” at your door, remember: that’s not just a costume. It’s a moment of transformation, imagination, and powerful brain development in disguise.

We’d love to see how your family brings imagination to life this Halloween. Share your costume photos and stories with us!