Alternative to Traditional Trick or Treating

(by Laurie)
It’s Halloween night, you look out the window in dismay as a torrential downpour has overtaken your plans to take your children out and about in the neighborhood for their annual trick or treating fun. Or perhaps, you’re just wearied by the idea that you need to trudge your children from house to house so others (who don’t even know your children) can “ooh” and “ahh” over their costumes. Maybe your children are at the age which enlightens them to the idea that they are old enough to wander the streets alone sans parent on Halloween, and you don’t happen to agree with them. Whatever your reasons may be for avoiding the traditional trick or treating tradition, you may consider looking into alternative avenues for your children.
There are usually any number of activities organized by local community groups that avoid the door to door fiasco of collecting candy. Besides, most children will either scarf too much candy or the majority of their candy gets thrown in the trash once it becomes stale and inedible.
Many churches have recently offered a Fall Harvest Festival on Halloween night that coincides with avoiding the idea of evil spirits/demon worship that some feel has taken over Halloween. You can either check with the local church office, ask a member of the church, or even check out their marquee in front of the church to see if they offer this alternative.
Several Halloween parties take place at town or community halls. Often one can find contests that occur for costumes with such categories as Best Costume, Scariest Costume, or Funniest Costume. Our article on Cheap and Homemade Costumes may be an inspiration for you and your child to create a costume for judging. If you're interested in this type of activities, they are usually advertised through your local penny saver or newspaper.
Another location to check into community alternatives for your Halloween evening could be the library. You and your children could have a fun evening of listening to spooky and scary stories read by the local librarian.
Our local volunteer firemen open the fire house up on Halloween night and have hundreds of children that show up to play Halloween games, such as Bobbing for Apples, and Pin the Tail on the Ghost. They also extend the ladder on the massive ladder truck to allow the kids to climb up to the sky until their rather nervous parents are pointedly yelling up to them, “You get down from there right now!”
Throughout your community you can most likely find any number of alternatives to the typical trick or treating Halloween by doing your research or making a phone call or two.
Happy Halloween!