Trick-or-Treat Alternatives: 9 Fun Halloween Activities for Kids

While trick-or-treating might seem fun and exciting to the little ones, some parents choose not to bring their children from door to door, asking for candy from strangers. Then there are the kids who feel they are too old for trick-or-treating, but still want to participate in Halloween night fun. Whatever the reason for skipping out, there are alternative options. Here are just nine fun Halloween activities for kids.

1. Throw a pizza party. When my siblings and I were younger, our neighbors would order pizza on Halloween night, and we had a great time at their house. Plus, we got all the candy we wanted without going trick-or-treating.

2. Have a family movie night. Rent a Halloween related movie for the whole family to watch together. Other alternatives include family game night and family craft night.

3. Host a haunted house. Encourage the kids to come up with spooky ways to decorate the house, garage, basement or another area of the house. Invite their friends over to walk through the haunted house and grab a treat on their way out.

4. Plan a Halloween carnival. It doesn't have to be extravagant; a few games with prizes will provide a lot of fun for kids who aren't able to trick-or-treat.

5. Hand out candy to trick-or-treaters. If your kids aren't interested in going themselves, they might still have fun dressing up in a costume and handing out treats to younger children. Plus, they might still have some candy left at the end of the evening.

6. Attend community Halloween events. Some towns and schools will plan safe alternative activities on Halloween night, such as mini carnivals and harvest festivals. See what your town has planned for that night.

7. Enter the kids in a costume contest. If your community doesn't have one, plan your own costume contest and invite neighbor kids over for treats and games. Award prizes for the best Halloween costumes.

8. Host or attend a block party. Ask everyone to provide Halloween candy, and get to know your neighbors while the kids divvy up the candy.

9. Go to a church gathering. Many churches will plan alternative Halloween activities for that night: Bible games, snacks and more fun. Check into your church's plans, if there are any.

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