Trick-or-Treat Alternatives for Kids Who Are Scared of Halloween

Halloween is meant to be scary, right? Well, yes, but it's exactly that aspect that some kids don't enjoy. While trick-or-treating, most of the time, is expected to be part of the activities, there are frightening aspects to it. Most trick-or-treaters may be young children, but there are nearly always groups of older kids, many of whom throw eggs and other not-so-pleasant pranks. There's also the remote possibility that certain neighbors may want to harm children, although the concept may get blown out of proportion. We've all heard the "razor-in-the-apple" story, or the "real-haunted-house" tale that gives you shivers at its mere mention.

Some kids also may be frightened of the whole idea itself. Children often have wild imaginations (we probably did too), and may feel that there are actual ghosts and demons out to get them. I remember a particular house in the neighborhood I grew up in that was designed to look like a haunted house (every day of the year, not just on Halloween.) Rumors flew about who actually lived there; people said they were witches, Satan-worshipers, and the whole array.

Don't sweat it, parents. There are other options for those kids who feel that trick-or-treating is a walking nightmare. While it may require extra effort, seeing your child enjoy this holiday is well worth it.

If you're up to it, you can host your own Halloween party, with candy galore for kids that don't want to trick-or-treat. While it would make sense to put up Halloween decorations, there are plenty of nonthreatening party favors and ornaments that you can use. Family Fun: Halloween Crafts has many ideas along these lines. They describe how to make projects like a "Craft Stick Mummy," "Glue Ghosts," and "Horr-edible Hands," the popular favor made from plastic gloves, popcorn, and candy corn.

It would be most helpful of all to ask your children what it is that they're scared of, because what's frightening to one may be funny to another. That way, you'll hopefully be able to avoid the specific scares that are affecting them.

Often, local colleges also have trick-or-treating programs set up for younger children. In 2006, Seward County Community College, in Kansas, sponsored a "Trick or Treat Street" in their Student Union and Student Living Center from 6-8 PM, on Halloween night. The idea was to give children a safe (and fun) alternative to going door-to-door, according to Seward Community College: Trick or Treat Street. Although it hasn't been announced yet, they are likely to do the same this year.

For your home Halloween party, you can also rent movies that are appropriate for children. Depending on their age, they may enjoy such animated Tim Burton movies as The Nightmare Before Christmas or The Corpse Bride. If those are too scary, Disney movies such as The Black Cauldron or Fantasia are also an option. CP Pam Gaulin has a more extended article on this topic, entitled 5 Animated Halloween Movies for Tweens.

There are quite a few games that kids will enjoy during Halloween as well. About.com recommends ideas such as the "Halloween Word Scramble Game," in which each child is given a piece of paper, and writes a Halloween-related word on top (like "Frankenstein" or "Dracula"). Using only the letters in that word, they have a time limit in which they see how many words they can some up with using the original word.

Older children, perhaps 9-12, may enjoy telling scary stories to one another at the party. Whether they use a book, pass on a tale heard at school, or make one up off the top of their heads, it can definitely be a fun activity. In the background, it may be fun to play classic Halloween music, such as Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor," the theme from John Carpenter's Halloween, or the lesser-known "Serenada Schizophrana," a spooky opus by Danny Elfman.

In terms of Halloween decorations, there are the classic jack-o-lanterns, bats, and skeletons associated with the holiday, or you can come up with your own ideas. For the children, they may want to make some sort of crafts, such as clay figures, or cutouts that they can color in. There are many that can be purchased in stores, or if you have the creative genius in you, you may design original crafts at home.

Children may also enjoy helping make Halloween cookies or cupcakes, particularly ones that are shaped like bats, skulls, mummies, etc. JoyofBaking.com features pumpkin recipes, sugar cookie recipes, and others that can amount to fun for all your family and guests.

In the end, whatever ideas you end up using are completely up to you. Find out ahead of time how many kids will be attending, and of what ages, and then you can decide which crafts and activities to use.

Get your supplies together, and have a happy Halloween!