by Rachel Wells
Trick or treating is a huge part of Halloween. However due to food allergies, disabilities that can make trick or treating overstimulating, logistical restraints, or weather-related concerns, many families may choose to skip that part of the celebration. Luckily there are tons of other creative and festive ways to enjoy the fun of the season.
We’ve rounded up 15 of our favorites, just in time for October.
Head to a Pumpkin Patch
Pumpkin patches often have so many attractions that they’ve become a whole day event. Head to a neighborhood farm with rides, concessions, attractions, etc. and turn your visit into an annual tradition that you can look forward to year after year.
Local Events
Check your local library, community center, zoo, or park district for Halloween parties and fall events. These often happen on the weekend making them a great alternative option for working parents who may not be home in time for trick or treating hours during the week.
Themed Books
Keep a special collection of fall or Halloween themed books that you can bring out each year and read together. Set the mood to cozy with plenty of blankets, orange string lights, and warm drinks.
Head to a Kid Friendly Haunted House or Haunted Hayride
Search your local area for places that have family friendly versions of these popular fall activities.
Go Apple Picking
Find Your Way Through a Corn Maze
Host a Movie Night
Cozy up to a Halloween themed movie night with one of these family friendly classics.
- Hotel Transylvania
- Casper
- The Addams Family
- Spookley the Pumpkin
- The Night Before Christmas
- Coco
- Ghostbusters
- Corpse Bride
- Toy Story of Terror
- It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
Halloween Gingerbread Houses
Put a fun spin on gingerbread house decorating by making spook houses! Gather up some black, green, purple, or orange frosting, and have plenty of candy corns, spider rings, and eyeball sprinkles ready to decorate with.
Craft Together
Making crafts together is not only a great way to connect, but also an inexpensive way to decorate your house and bring the festive feelings inside. Be sure to put on some Halloween themed music while you create!
Spooky Reads and Crafts for Kids
5 Super Fun Pumpkin Activities for Kids
Jump in a Leaf Pile
Have a Halloween Dance Party
Put on your costumes, play some Halloween music, and have a spooktacular time together!
Perform Halloween Themed Science Experiments
5 Super Fun Pumpkin Activities for Kids
Paint Faces on Acorns
Go on a hike to collect acorns and use permeant markers or paint to make cute faces on them.
Enjoy a Popcorn Bar
Set up a popcorn bar with tons of toppings to enjoy while watching a Halloween movie. A combination of buttered popcorn, caramel corn, kettle corn, or cheesy popcorn, mixed with chocolate chips, candy corn, or dried cranberries is guaranteed to taste like fall.
Decorate Pumpkins
Carve, paint, or do both – the possibilities are endless!
