20 Trick or Treat Alternatives for Kids
Halloween can be a tricky holiday for many. Halloween is a big day for kids, but there are some parents who want to steer their children away from the celebration of Halloween.
If you’re looking for fun trick-or-treat alternatives, check out this list of 20 Halloween alternatives that will keep kids entertained. From costume contests to scavenger hunts, there’s something for everyone here. So get ready to have some fun this Halloween!
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Fun Trick or Treat Alternatives
Do a treat scavenger hunt at your house.
Nothing says you can’t have your own Halloween treat scavenger hunt at your house. This is a great alternative to trick or treating for Halloween. All you need are some fun non-scary Halloween costumes, some Halloween candy, and kids who are ready for some Halloween fun! Hide the candy around your house and let your kids go on a Halloween scavenger hunt.
Play dress up in costumes that aren’t scary.
Most kids like to play dress-up. Dressing up for Halloween doesn’t have to be scary. There are some really cute Halloween costumes that aren’t scary and your kids will likely love them! Princess costumes, Disney character costumes, video game costumes, even cute baby animal costumes. There is a Halloween costume for everyone.
Have a Create Your Own Halloween Costume Contest.
I’m sure you have plenty of random crafting items around your house. Gather them all together and have everyone create a Halloween costume. Give prizes for the most creative!
Have a Halloween Movie Night.
There are some super cute Halloween shows and movies you can watch on Halloween night. Spookley: the Square Pumpkin, Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween, and Curious George: Boofest and Spooky Fun are all excellent Halloween movies for young kids. If your kids can handle a bit more spook, you can check out the movie Monster House, Clue, or the Corpse Bride.
Have a fall party with friends.
Like I mentioned when I shared about my favorite fall family activities, there is something about the smell of fall that makes my heart happy. Bobbing for apples, painting pumpkins, and carving jack-o-lanterns are all great activities to include in your fall party with friends.
Have a family game night.
If it’s been a while since your family has had a family game night, it’s time to bring it back! Or, maybe this is the first time your kids have been old enough to play board games. Check out how to start a family game night. Then, check out these Halloween-themed games! The Nightmare Before Christmas Monopoly, Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin, Halloween Ring Toss Game, and Halloween Bingo.
Host a Halloween Game Night.
Once you have your Halloween-themed board games, you’re ready to host a Halloween game night. Invite your closest family and friends, and enjoy a game night of Halloween fun that isn’t spooky at all. Wrap each other in toilet paper to make mummies, put candy in orange balloons and let your kids bust the balloons to collect the treat, or peel some grapes, hide objects in the bowl of grapes and let your kids search through the “eyeballs” for their treats!
Go to the Zoo.
A lot of zoos host special Halloween events. This is a great opportunity for your kids to wear their Halloween costumes and collect some Halloween treats without actually going out to trick-or-treat on Halloween night.
Try a virtual escape room.
If you’ve ever been to an escape room, you know how fun they can be. Imagine bringing that thrill home to your family. In these at-home escape room games, you and your family will follow the clues as you “escape” the jungle.
Read Halloween books together.
We read with our kids all the time! But, there is something special about going to the library to borrow books that go with the season or holiday. If you aren’t sure which Halloween books to choose, I have shared my favorite Halloween books for kids!
Do a face painting night for your Halloween Party.
A great way to become your character for Halloween is to have someone paint your face. You can have a Halloween party and do some Halloween face painting.
Have a Bonfire and Roast Marshmallows.
Fall is a great time of year to build a bonfire and roast some marshmallows. Halloween night is no exception and roasting marshmallows is a great activity when you want to skip trick-or-treat.
Do a Halloween craft together.
You don’t have to be crafty at all for your family to enjoy these super cute Halloween crafts. Check out these Glitter Foam Halloween Stickers, this Halloween Mask Kit, and how cute is this Monster Making Craft Kit.
Make a Halloween pinata.
Nothing says Halloween fun like a pinata filled with Halloween candy and small toys. Halloween trick or treat safety will not be a worry of yours as your kids are busting open their Halloween pinata! You can fill your pinata with this awesome Halloween treat kit!
Go to a pumpkin patch and pick a pumpkin to carve or paint.
Visiting a pumpkin patch around Halloween is one of my favorite fall family activities. Take your kids to a pumpkin patch and let them choose a pumpkin or two. If your kids are little, you’ll likely want to go the painting route. But as they get older and their pumpkin carving skills improve, you’ll be amazed at what they can carve in their pumpkins.
For less of a mess, use these adorable pumpkin decorating stickers!
Have a Glow Stick Scavenger Hunt.
All kids love glow sticks! They’re super colorful and fun no matter what you’re doing with them. If your kids can handle the darkness, they’ll love this Halloween activity. Take a certain number of each color glow stick. Activate the glow sticks and hide them around the house. The first person to collect all of their color wins!
Go to a Trunk or Treat.
A trunk or treat is a safe way for kids to trick or treat. Most often, you’ll find a trunk or treat at one of your local churches. They’re usually hosted in the parking lot. People open and decorate the trunks of their cars and give candy out to trick or treaters. Check this out if you’re interested in starting a trunk or treat! Or if you’ll be attending a trunk or treat, here are some trunk or treat decorating ideas.
Create a Mason jar luminary or Halloween-themed jar.
I like to have cute Halloween decorations with minimal prep time. You can paint Mason jars in such a way that you end up with adorable luminaries to line your sidewalk. Check out these Mason jar Halloween Crafts!
Pass out candy together.
If you’re concerned about trick-or-treating safety, your kids don’t want to go trick or treating, or you’re just looking for something different this year, let your kids pass out candy this Halloween. This is the perfect trick-or-treat alternative.
Make Halloween-Themed Treats.
I love to bake with my kids, and maybe you do too! Even if baking isn’t your thing, you can buy Halloween treat kits at the grocery store. Even taking a box of brownies and adding Halloween sprinkles can count as a Halloween treat.
This year, give your family a fun and low-cost alternative to trick or treat. Try something new this Halloween with activities that will keep the kids entertained all night long!
MORE Halloween Fun
The Best Halloween Books that Aren’t Scary
Fun Fall Activities for Families
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