With the impact of COVID on all our lives, many parents may be planning to skip traditional trick-or-treating this year. And, even if we weren’t in the middle of a pandemic there are many reasons not to take your kids out for conventional, around the neighborhood, nighttime trick-or-treating. Whatever the reason, there’s no need to feel left out on Halloween. There are plenty of alternatives to traditional trick-or-treating for Des Moines area families, and they may be even better than the real thing!
For additional Halloween fun, check out our Event Calendar or Halloween Fun Guide.
Here’s 20 fun alternatives to trick or treating:
1. Hold an outdoor pumpkin carving party. This would be a great activity that you can spread out and social distance. (Younger children could paint them instead.)
2. Host a virtual Halloween party. Gather online with friends and let the kids show off their costumes. Maybe even host a costume contest, while you’re at it.
3. Tell ghost stories or read scary books. Family members can take turns telling scary stories or check out some Halloween themed books from the library.
4. Boo your neighbors for Halloween. We have a FREE printable and some tips here.
5. Organize a neighborhood costume parade. Part of the Halloween fun is getting to choose that perfect Halloween costume. Plan a neighborhood costume parade and the kids won’t miss out on showing their’ s off.
6. Trick-Or-Treat at home. Decorate each room or doorway in a different theme and set up coordinating carnival games or activities.
7. Go on a Halloween hunt or scavenger Hunt. Lots of options with this one. Hide mini pumpkins or pull out the easter eggs and fill them with candy and let the kids go find them. You could also create a fun spooky scavenger hunt, complete with codes and other suspenseful fun.
8. Watch Halloween themed movies. Nothing is better than a cozy family night in with a movie and snacks. So why not host a Halloween-themed movie night? Nobody said you can’t get dressed up to do it.
9. Make homemade candy, caramel apples, caramel corn or chocolates to enjoy at home.
10. Put on your costumes and drive around the neighborhood to look at Halloween decorations. So many people go all out with their Halloween displays, it’s not unlike looking at Christmas lights.
11. Visit a local pumpkin patch or corn maze. Most are open through October 31, 2020.
12. Create some fun Halloween crafts. For your kids or teens that enjoy being creative, crafts are a perfect alternative to trick or treating.
13. Throw a monster dance party. Do the mash! Get your Halloween vibes going, put on your creepy attire and dance.
14. Light a Halloween bonfire. Serve hot cider and cocoa to keep the kids warm while you tell ghost stories around the fire.
15. Set up trick-or-treat distanced stations. If you really want to welcome trick-or-treaters this year, consider setting up distanced stations in your yard with individually sized pieces of candy spaced out.
16. Leave gifts from The Great Pumpkin. Not feeling up for managing a socially distanced trick-or-treat experience but still wanting to treat your little monsters? Invite The Great Pumpkin to bring treats. She, he or they could leave candy, small toys, stickers, pencils, etc. in special spots around the house on Halloween night, so there’s no need to go outside at all.
17. Challenge the fam to a Halloween bake off. Bake cookies or faboolous cakes. Or, buy naked premade cupcakes and cakes and just have a decorating contest. Hey, don’t judge, it’s still fun!
18. Go camping. Start up a fire and tell ghost stories while gorging yourselves on s’mores made of Halloween candy. Another idea: choose a camping spot known for its spookiness!
19. Go on a cemetery tour or explore a local graveyard. Plot out your route or visit carefully. Be sure to honor cemetery regulations and hours — most don’t appreciate folks poking around in them after dark.
20. Just let it go and do nothing. I know it stinks, but it’s okay to just not do anything. Especially if you have a tween or teen, they may be just as happy to skip Halloween entirely, even if you’re all gung-ho about it.
Will you be taking your kids trick-or-treating this year? Or, are you planning some alternate Halloween fun for your kids?
