Halloween is coming soon. This means Halloween parties, trick or treating and lots of candy. You do need to exercise caution when going trick or treating. I remember the days when I would roam the neighborhood and return with a pillowcase full of candy. My parents and I did not worry about might be contained in the candy. It was a much simpler time. If you are concerned with Halloween, and trick or treating here are five safe and fun alternatives you can do instead of the traditional trick or treating.
1) Many malls and shopping centers offer candy for trick and treaters. This is a fairly safe way to have your children trick or treat in a safe environment. The candy is not likely to have been tampered with. You should accompany your children, and make sure that they watch for cars.
2) Many churches offer alternate activities on alternate nights. Usually the entire community is invited, since it is a community outreach night. The activities can vary from a Halloween party with costumes and games to a Fall Festival (no costumes) with booths, rides and games. There is usually plenty of candy handed out at these events.
3) You may consider organizing a trunk or treat in your neighborhood or community group. You can decorate the trunks of your cars, and the children go from trunk to trunk collecting candy. This makes the trick or treating experience take place in the open. You should make sure that the candy is individually wrapped, and that you are comfortable with everyone there.
4) Another activity you may want to organize is a floating Halloween party. This is a lot of fun. It should involve several families. You will set up different activities in each home, and divide the children into several groups. They will rotate through the activities throughout the night. You can have a haunted house (kid-friendly of course), donut eating contest, jack-o-lantern carving, cookie decorating, and design the scariest monster craft. You can also hand out candy at each house as well.
5) You can also begin your own family tradition on Halloween night. This would be a good idea if you do not believe in celebrating Halloween. Once you have a fun family tradition, it will make skipping Halloween easier for your own children.
You should begin planning and organizing these events now. It will help the events be successful, and fun. Your children can help, which will help them to get more excited about the alternatives to traditional trick or treating.