The tricks. The treats. The costumes and the candy—oh, the candy. There’s so much to love about Halloween…except that all the ghouls and goblins might be too much for your child. That doesn’t mean that they have to miss out on all the fun, though. If your child doesn’t want to do the door-to-door thing, these trick-or-treating alternatives for kids that creep it real.
Create a costume contest
Since Halloween falls during, well, the fall, it can be chilly—especially if you wait until later to get some treats. But putting on a coat can cover up your child’s cute caterpillar costume. That won’t happen if they show off their outfits indoors. Not only do they get to enjoy Halloween, but you’re guaranteed to snap some boo-tiful pics, too.
Make (not so) scary foods
Halloween-themed treats might look festive, but they can sometimes spook your little mummy. Thankfully, kid-friendly food crafts are a total lifesaver. Pumpkins are easy to make: peel mandarin oranges and stick a small piece of celery in the top. And for ghouls who just wanna have fun, slice peeled bananas in half, place two mini chocolate chips near the top (for eyes) and one below (for a mouth), and you’ve got fa-boo-lous—and kinda healthy—ghosts.
Have a dance party
Want to have some skele-fun this Halloween? Turn up the tunes and get moving! Build a playlist of not-so-spooky songs like Monster Mash, Halloween Sharks, and Ghostbusters—because your kid ain’t afraid of no ghosts.
Play some games
Games don’t have to be ghoulish. If your family is dying to have some fun, try these classics with a Halloween twist. For tic-tac-toe, place strips of black tape on a table to form the board and use mini pumpkins or gourds as markers. Or, give kids a tennis or pickleball racket, balance a small pumpkin on it, and race to drop the pumpkin into a Halloween bucket.
Host a scavenger hunt
When your kid has had one too many fun-sized candy bars, let them burn off energy with a scavenger hunt. Hide stickers, small toys, or even glow sticks around the house, and write simple clues for them to follow. And if you’ve got the guts, offer some extra candy as the grand prize.
Trick-or-treat indoors
Just because your child isn’t knocking on neighborhood doors doesn’t mean they have to miss out on trick-or-treating. Set up candy stations throughout your home where your child can “knock” and collect treats. If you’re game, stand behind the door to make the experience feel extra real.
Participate in a parade
Many towns and neighborhoods host Halloween parades, especially for younger kids. Since they’re often held during the day, it can make October 31 feel festive without being too spooky.
Read a Halloween story
When it’s time to tuck your toddler into bed, wind down with a sweet Halloween read. Top picks include The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s Peekaboo Halloween, Vampire Jam Sandwich, or for kids who love silly humor, My Brother’s Butt Is Haunted.
Decorate together
Help your child channel their inner interior designer and give your home a Halloween glow-up. Cobwebs stretched across furniture, bowls of mini pumpkins and gourds, or even bunches of orange and black balloons can set the mood for a not-too-creepy haunted house.