It’s spooky season, and the Dad Crew is back with a Halloween episode full of laughs, stories, and a few scares (mostly from our kids’ sugar rushes). In this special edition of the Dad Livin’ Podcast, we dive into the hilarious, heartwarming, and downright ridiculous parts of fatherhood during Halloween.
It’s spooky season, and the Dad Livin’ Podcast crew is back with a Halloween episode packed with laughs, stories, and just the right amount of chaos. Whether you’re sprinting through last-minute costume prep or walking the trick-or-treat circuit with your little monsters, this one’s for all the dads who make Halloween hilarious, heartfelt, and unforgettable.
Halloween is the one night a year dads get to fully embrace their inner kid again — to throw on a cape, grab a flashlight, and take on the neighborhood. As the National Center for Fathering notes in “Make Memories, Not Nightmares: Dads and Halloween”, it’s not about perfect decorations or the trendiest costumes — it’s about presence.
When dads show up and join in the fun, kids remember that feeling forever. The laughter on the sidewalk, the shared candy negotiations, the flashlight-lit memories — these are the moments that build connection.
“Your kids won’t remember the costume that won the contest — they’ll remember you walking beside them.”
Let’s face it — dads fall into three categories on Halloween night:
No matter your style, Halloween gives dads the rare chance to be goofy again — to show your kids that having fun is more important than looking perfect.
No maps. No GPS. Just instincts and the pursuit of the “good candy” houses. Trick-or-treating is the ultimate fatherhood field trip — filled with sugar highs, flashlight fails, and endless dad jokes.
It’s also one of the few holidays that still feels local and communal. From chatting with neighbors on the porch to swapping candy strategies at the end of the block, Halloween reminds dads that community still matters — especially in a time when connection often happens through screens.
For St. Louis dads, Halloween hits different. The city’s long-standing tradition of “telling a joke for your treat” turns trick-or-treating into a comedy open mic. Kids practice their punchlines while parents laugh, cheer, and hand out candy — it’s a uniquely Midwest blend of humor and heart.
From Soulard’s haunted history to Lafayette Square’s pumpkin-lined porches, there’s something special about celebrating Halloween in St. Louis. Dads here don’t just walk the block — they help keep the tradition alive.
Once the candy bags are full and the kids are tucked in, it’s time for the after-hours shift: bonfires, beers, and the great retelling of the night’s funniest moments. Whether you’re hanging in the driveway with neighbors or swapping dad jokes around the firepit, these are the connections that strengthen community.
Halloween reminds us that dads need time to recharge and reconnect, too.
As October fades into Movember, the Dad Livin’ crew is turning the conversation toward men’s health. Check in with yourself this season: schedule that check-up, open up to a friend, or join a Movember challenge.
Because the best gift you can give your family is a healthy, happy dad who’s around for every future Halloween.
Let’s be honest — the best Halloween stories come from the fails. The ripped costume. The melted makeup. The pumpkin that looked more like a potato.
But those imperfect moments? They’re the ones your kids will remember. They’re proof that showing up and laughing through the chaos matters more than nailing the details.
Halloween isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence. It’s about showing your kids that fun, laughter, and a little mischief are good for the soul.
So grab your pumpkin ale, take a lap around the block, and make some memories worth retelling next year.
Because every dad deserves a night where the world feels just a little bit magical again.
🎧 Listen or Watch the Full Episode: https://youtu.be/kwS8rrQed-4
Tags: #DadLife #Fatherhood #ParentingPodcast #Halloween #DadLivin #DadJokes #StLouisDads
.png){kind=logo}
