You may have heard of or observed a decline in door-to-door trick-or-treating…even prior to the pandemic. Survey data from the National Retail Federation (NRF) suggests it’s true that fewer and fewer families are taking their kids trick-or-treating each year. But for the past 14 years, NRF survey results have also revealed that consumers are spending more and more money on Halloween-related items. So while trick-or-treating may be on the decline, Halloween isn’t dead or dying. It’s just evolving (like a tiny transformer), and trick-or-treating alternatives are on the rise!
While some may get nostalgic for the days of unsupervised trick-or-treating, it’s probably a good thing that our Halloween traditions continue to evolve. Take for example, the history of the “trick” in trick-or-treating. In the early 1900s, Halloween was a day of widespread mischief, especially vandalism. By the 1950s, postwar families and neighborhoods had reclaimed the day by offering free candy. In just half a century, American Halloween traditions transformed from obnoxious and destructive to neighborly and peaceful.
It’s possible that door-to-door trick-or-treating may someday vanish like a ghost through a wall, but that doesn’t mean Halloween is disappearing. Alternative Halloween festivities and activities are popping up everywhere. From malls to farms, there are loads of fun trick-or-treating alternatives to choose from.
Read on for 9 fun trick-or-treating alternatives:
Whether you’re looking for trick-or-treating alternatives—or to get your Halloween on all month long—we’ve got nine ways to have fun and make Halloween memories with your kids this year.
1. Trunk-or-Treat
This one is about as close to the original as you can get. Many schools, community organizations, and churches host trunk-or-treat events. Cars line up, and kids can collect treats by walking from trunk-to-trunk in a parking lot.
COVID-19 Safety: Trunk-or-treat is one of our favorite trick-or-treating alternatives during coronavirus. Kids can safely social distance and parents can drop a piece of candy in a child’s treat bag without anyone touching. Encourage your child to choose a costume that includes a mask. If it also includes gloves it’s a win win!
Best part? The impressive trunk decorations.
Age appropriate: Kids under 12.
2. Mall trick-or-treating
Lots of malls are getting in on the trick-or-treating scene. In colder climates, malls can offer families a warm environment in which to bag that candy.
COVID-19 Safety: Check with your local mall to find out if they are hosting a Halloween event this year (even if they have in the past). It’s easy to stay 6 feet apart at the mall and collect tasty Halloween treats! For bigger kiddos, the mall is a great place to get together and show off fancy costumes. Explain to your children not to grab the candy themselves and to let the stores place it in their bags.
Best part? You can shop while your little one trick-or-treats.
Age-appropriate: Kids under 12.
3. Halloween-themed treats and a movie
Make staying in a special occasion with a themed movie night. This comprehensive best-of-list from Good Housekeeping can help you pick an age-appropriate Halloween movie. For a festive snack, we love Halloween popcorn hands, brain popcorn balls, banana ghost pops, and Jack-O-Lantern orange fruit cups.
COVID-19 Safety: If Halloween has been canceled in your area, staying in and watching a Halloween flick might be one of the best trick-or-treating alternatives ever. You can still dress up, be silly, eat tasty treats and watch a movie, but you’ll be in the safety of your own home without contact with others.
Best part? You control the sugar content of the treats.
Age-appropriate: All ages.
4. Halloween themed get-together
Start a new tradition by hosting a Halloween gathering with family and friends. You can even get thematic with a BBQ-themed Halloweenie roast! Everyone will love bobbing for apples, carving or decorating pumpkins, and taking a swing at a pumpkin piñata. Looking for festive food inspiration? Check out this curated list of Halloween snacks from Good Housekeeping. For Halloweeny main dishes, we love toxic waste mac and cheese, spiderweb pizza, and Halloween cheeseburgers.
COVID-19 Safety: If you are comfortable hosting family and a few close friends, this idea is great for trick-or-treating alternatives. Bobbing for apples likely isn’t the best idea, but we’ll still leave it above for future ideas once the pandemic is over! If you have a lot of friends who would love to come, but you aren’t comfortable hosting too many guests, consider setting up a Zoom call so you can see everyone dressed up in their costumes!
Best part? Spending time with family and friends…and the food!
Age-appropriate: All ages.
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5. Amusement park Halloween events.
Many amusement parks go crazy with fall and Halloween-themed attractions. From redecorated rides to trick-or-treating events, check out amusement park offerings close to you. If you want to make a trip out of it, our friends at Red Tricycle highlight 14 Amusement Parks That Are Way Better in the Fall.
COVID-19 Safety: Not all amusement parks are open during the pandemic, so call before you go. You can easily socially distance yourself, and most public places are well equipped with sanitizing stations, so you can use sanitizer after every ride.
Best part? Amusement park rides are thrilling for adults too.
Age-appropriate: Kids six and older.
6. Halloween on the farm.
From pumpkin patches to haunted corn mazes, farms offer seasonal fun for little ones of all ages. Traditional hayrides and corn mazes are perfect for kiddos not looking for a fright. For older kids and teens, haunted corn mazes and zombie paintballs are memorable.
COVID-19 Safety: We’ve heard a rumor that several pumpkin patches and farms are still planning to operate this year; however, you’ll want to check for yourself just to be sure. We’ve also heard that you’ll need to reserve a time slot if you plan to go due to the limited numbers that they are safely allowed to accommodate. If this is a yearly tradition and you feel comfortable going, make sure to pack hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes—especially if you plan to eat anything. Don’t hesitate to ask how they plan to keep you and your kiddos safe!
Best part? Being outside in the fresh Fall air!
Age-appropriate: All ages.
7. Halloween at your local zoo.
May zoos across the country offer some kind of fun Halloween event. They typically take place over the course of several weeks in October, making it easy for you to attend. Common activities include bounce houses, candy collection (of course!), train rides, and animals playing with Halloween-themed toys or eating Halloween-themed treats!
COVID-19 Safety: Similar to the amusement parks section above, zoos seem to be well equipped with stations where you can effectively sanitize your hands after touching things. It’s a good idea to educate your kids before you arrive that limited touching is best. We know it’s not easy, but tell them not to touch the glass of the animal enclosures or press their faces up against the glass! Sometimes holding them up so they can see better is all it takes! Another great idea is to tell them to put their hands in their pockets (if their costumes allow it) so they aren’t as inclined to touch things!
Best part? It’s also a trip to see your favorite zoo animals!
Age-appropriate: All ages.
8. Volunteer trick-or-treat.
This is one of our favorite trick-or-treating alternatives! If you dread seeing your kids lug around a pillowcase full of candy, consider starting a new Halloween tradition by volunteering at a local food pantry. Among other benefits, volunteering provides families with an opportunity to work together, problem-solve, and communicate in new ways. You could also participate in a trick-or-treat food drive in your area or host your own.
COVID-19 Safety: The benefit of this trick-or-treating alternative is that you can do it safely! It’s also a great idea for bigger kids who don’t trick-or-treat anymore or if you want your kids to steer clear of gobs of candy this year. When you are volunteering, you will likely be instructed or required to wear a mask and gloves that will help protect you. You’re also teaching your kids what volunteering is all about!
Best part? Helping other people in your community.
Age-appropriate: Kids six and older.
9. Glow bowling.
When your kids start to outgrow trick-or-treating, glow bowling is a great idea. It’s also known as galactic bowling, cosmic bowling, and blacklight bowling. It’s a fun Halloween alternative. Kids can still wear costumes if they want—The Dude and Jesus from the Big Lebowski would be venue appropriate options, LOL!
COVID-19 Safety: This is a hard one. You’ll want to make sure you are comfortable with all the other kids and families who might be attending the event. Since this activity is for older kids, they can be responsible for using sanitizer before eating or drinking and every few frames.
Best part? Keeps kids out of trouble (probably…maybe).
Age-appropriate: Kids ten and older.
What Halloween traditions does your family observe? What trick-or-treating alternatives do your kids love? Let us know in the comments below.
Kathy is a freelance writer, an Independent Quality Provider with BabyQuip and the mother of a very active one-year-old boy. When she’s not changing diapers, developing engaging content for clients, or helping families travel with little ones, she enjoys reading, gardening, yoga, and naps.
We have a local rustic/living museum that hosts an adorable Halloween event, and that’s one event we still plan to attend this year.
Worthwhile low carbs or no carb snack? Quick solution, nuts. Hand them out instead of candy.
I love these ideas! Family movie nights and treats are my favorite !
These are great ideas, I especially love the farm visit idea! My baby is still a bit too young to trick or treat but we will definitely look for alternatives once he’s older.
We love trunk or treating but instead of doing one or the other we do trunk or treating and door-to-door and just end up with a ton of candy.