It’s that time of the year again. All of the Halloween decor is out. The aisles are starting to fill up with candy. Costumes are readily available for purchase. You know that Halloween is nearby.
Some families don’t trick or treat because it is against their faith. Some can’t do to health reasons. Others are just afraid of trick or treating due to the type of world we are now living in.
When you are a mother to young children, it is hard to explain why they can’t trick or treat like other children. You don’t want your children sad and feeling left out or punished even if it is for moral or health reasons.
Somethings are better understood as children get older. In the meantime, there are ways that you can entertain them around this season.
I will share a few things that my husband and I tried during the Halloween season. I will also throw in some other ideas that I have not tried but seem like it may work as an alternative. Now some of these ideas don’t necessarily have to be done on the same day as Halloween. In fact, usually we did our activities on another day. But you can choose to make the activity a replacement for trick or treating.
Halloween Alternative 1: Pumpkin Patch
We took our son to a pumpkin patch when he was around two. Needless to say, he loved it. We got some great photos and had a great time. The pumpkin patch was a local church. I can’t remember if we paid, and if so, how much, but I don’t think it was a big deal. I think we ended up just buying him a pumpkin…but it has been a while. Some pumpkin patches have corn mazes and hayrides too, so this is worth checking out.
Halloween Alternative 2: Boo at the Zoo
The Caldwell Zoo in Tyler, Texas has Boo at the Zoo. It was just like going to the zoo on a regular day, but with candy. Also, the zoo is decorated for Halloween. This one is more Halloween adjacent, but I thought I would just mention it. If interested in something like this, you can check to see if your local zoo is doing something similar.
Halloween Alternative 3: Just Buy Candy
Some years we would just buy candy and give it to our son. We would explain that we don’t celebrate Halloween. He was disappointed but understood. And the candy helped.
Halloween Alternative 4: Fall Festival or Harvest
These are fun. They are essentially church carnivals. There is food and games. And of course, candy. My son enjoyed fall festivals. A lot of churches have them so you can check with your local church.
Halloween Alternative 5: Trunk or Treat
This is like the Fall Festival one. This is usually held by a church and is often paired with a Fall Festival or Fall Carnival. The children just go from car to car getting candy.
Bonus Halloween Alternatives
Now here are some activities that make great alternatives to celebrating Halloween through trick or treating.
- Go to a movie or have movie night at home.
- Invite like-minded family members and friends over for pizza or nachos.
- Host a game night or go to an arcade.
- Go to a theme park.
- Use the day to decorate for Thanksgiving.
- Cook dinner as a family.
- Make sweet treats.
On a final note, you can simply choose not to do anything. You can treat Halloween like any other day. Only you know what is best for you and your family. But with all things, you can pray to God about it.
