How to Celebrate Halloween Without Trick or Treating: Alternatives for Kids

If Trick or Treating is hard to do in your neighborhood, or if you just don't like the idea for whatever reason - there are a variety of other things your children can do on Halloween to have some fun. And having fun is what Halloween is all about. These ideas may take a little planning and preparation, but your child will have a great time and will enjoy their special Halloween.

Halloween Party. For some children this is a very popular choice. Holding a Halloween party with the candy and some games and other fun things to do is a terrific idea for Halloween. You can come up with some Halloween-themed games and play spooky music for everyone to enjoy. Children can even enjoy some traditional Halloween favorites that they probably would not get during a typical Trick or Treat evening in today's world, because we don't consider them save treats: one popular favorite is caramel apples. Kids love the sweetness of the caramel and the fall favorite fruit apple inside. Today there are so many versions of a caramel apple, but simply making the classic caramel apples are a popular choice. Another great idea for a Halloween party is bobbing for apples.

Halloween Parade. In some communities this is now a new tradition for little ones: a Halloween parade held sometime close to Halloween where little ones can dress up in their costumes and promenade the town square. Make this fun and go out for lunch or breakfast after the Halloween Parade. Be sure to get lots of pictures of your children in their costumes. Some children have more fun with their costumes than anything else.

Children's Haunted House. This is another idea for a themed Halloween party. For some (gentle) spooky fun you can turn your house, or rather part of your house into a haunted house for children to explore. Simply turning off most of the lights and playing spooky music may be enough for many children to feel like it is a haunted house. Hang ghosts and skeletons from corners, and make spider webs that children can walk through. Make funny things that they can feel and squish. You can also have other parents or older children dress in masks and costumes and jump out and say "Boo!" to surprise them. Keep the focus on gentle spooky fun though, don't get really scary.

Haunted Hayride. Some communities have hayrides that are very popular during Halloween time. This can be a favorite of older children; some of the "haunted" hayrides can be pretty scary for younger children, so you may want to ask before bringing younger children. But a hayride is something different and it can be a pretty unique experience.

Halloween Crafts. This can be fun for creative children. Make Halloween night an evening to do a Halloween themed craft of some type. Get a pumpkin and do elaborate pumpkin carvings to make expressive jack o'lanterns. Or get jewelry making supplies and make Halloween themed necklaces and bracelets. There are so many different crafts you can do, focus on your child's age and interest and there is sure to be a craft that will appeal to them.