13 Ways to Celebrate Halloween With Your Kids That Aren’t Trick-or-Treating

I still remember our first Halloween in a new house, in a new town and new neighborhood. And with a then-1-year-old, it was also our first Halloween that could involve trick-or-treating. I have very fond memories of trick-or-treating in large groups of joyful children, and I was eager for my son to make similar memories. So last Halloween, we joyfully walked our tiny dinosaur up the driveway of the first house on the block, only to discover that the every family in the neighborhood was walking to an adjacent neighborhood. No candy to be deposited in his tiny bucket close to home. I was crushed.

With Halloween approaching again , it got me thinking about more of the reasons why a family may choose to celebrate Halloween in a different way. If your neighborhood isn't conducive to trick-or-treating, or your kids just aren't that into this tradition, we've rounded up 13 ways to celebrate Halloween with your children that aren’t trick-or-treating yet still embrace the spirit of the season.

How to Celebrate Halloween With Kids 5 and Under

For young children in this age group, some aspects of Halloween can simply be too scary, notes Webb. “Parents should consider looking for activities that offer the fun of the season without the scary stuff.”

Go to a fall carnival or festival

Halloween doesn’t need to be celebrated on October 31, especially if you have young kids who don’t know the difference. Seek out a local carnival or festival that incorporates some aspects of fall or Halloween (like pumpkin carving) and make that activity the focal point of your celebration.

Gather with other families with children of similar ages

Chances are you’re not the only family in town forgoing trick-or-treating. Coordinate with the families of your kids’ friends to get together for a Halloween-themed campfire or playtime, suggests Webb. This will give the children the opportunity to socialize and wear costumes (if you want) as well as celebrate the holiday.

Attend an age-appropriate Halloween party or event at a local museum

Children’s museums, libraries, and community organizations like the Boys and Girls Club often host Halloween parties or fall events for kids of different ages. Webb suggests researching any in your area that you can attend.

Break out the Halloween books

“I love having a collection of Halloween books for kids and bringing those out each year,” says Susie Allison, a former teacher and creator of Busy Toddler . “My kids can’t wait to see these favorite titles every October. We also add one new book each Halloween so the collection keeps growing.” Knowing the books are going to come out gives kids something to look forward to the same way others look forward to Halloween night

Coordinate with your child’s daycare, preschool, or kindergarten

Many childcare facilities and schools likely already have something planned around Halloween, but it can’t hurt to check—especially if you know you won’t be trick-or-treating.

Create at-home fun

“Easy at-home Halloween activities are another great, simple, and festive option,” says Allison. “These don't need to cost much to set up and can be used all month long or for a Halloween party. Painting pumpkins, building a Halloween sensory bin, or making Halloween science potions are three fun ways to play with the season.” Here are lots more options for creative Halloween arts and crafts projects .

How to Celebrate Halloween With Kids Ages 6 and Up

As your children get older, they may start to become more intrigued by some of the traditional (read: commercial) aspects of Halloween. But if trick-or-treating still isn’t in the cards, these ideas can give them a festive taste of the holiday.

Host a Halloween party or parade

If you know that some of your child’s friends are skipping trick-or-treating too, offer to host a Halloween party or costume parade at your home or in your neighborhood.

Go to a haunted house

Just make sure it’s not too scary, notes Webb. There are many super-scary haunted houses that cater to adults these days, so double check the recommended ages before you go.

Visit a pumpkin patch, corn maze, or apple orchard

These classic fall activities are a great way to celebrate Halloween. Be sure to check the farm’s event calendar, too, as many may have Halloween-themed activities or days when the maze is open at night to capture the true Halloween experience.

Plan a Halloween movie night

Maybe not Nightmare on Elm Street, but a family-friendly Halloween movie like Hocus Pocus, The Haunted Mansion, Coraline, Hotel Transylvania, or Casper would be great for this age group.

Have a Halloween camp out

One of the draws of Halloween, especially for kids in this age group, is the chance to be out and about after dark. That’s why Webb suggests planning a one-night Halloween camp out, either in your backyard or at a local park or campground. “You can have a campfire, roast marshmallows and tell ghost stories,” she says. And maybe let the kids stay up a bit past their bedtime.

Host a Halloween fashion show

If you aren't opposed to letting the kiddos get dressed up—and have some old costumes lying around (there are also so many ways to DIY a Halloween costume if you don't want to shop)—you may want to host a Halloween fashion show. This gives children the chance to show of their creative side (and their personality) and have fun doing it. Invite a few friends over, put out some funky accessories, and you've got a party. You can even get everyone, adults and kids, involved with a family Halloween costume .

Try one of the activities for younger kids with your older kids, too

“Big kids love Halloween books and Halloween activities. Don’t pass these up because of a child’s age,” says Allison. “Older kids love reading Halloween books to themselves or hearing a favorite old story read aloud. Halloween activities and party games keep the big kid crowd entertained. Activities and books are ageless. Don’t overthink a child’s age and decide they’ve outgrown an aspect of Halloween. Let them take the lead and tell you what they’re still interested in.”

Why Families Might Skip Trick-or-Treating on Halloween

There are many reasons why trick-or-treating may not be in the cards for your family. “Since trick-or-treating is largely focused on candy...the children involved may have health concerns, dietary restrictions, or allergies that make receiving random candy difficult to handle,” says Amy Webb, PhD , a child development expert and founder of The Thoughtful Parent .

Other reasons families may forgo trick-or-treating include:

• Religious or personal reasons, in which families don’t feel comfortable with the lore and practices surrounding the holiday
• Having children with disabilities for whom physically trick-or-treating may be difficult or for whom the entire experience may be overstimulating
• Safety reasons, in which parents don’t feel comfortable with their children knocking on neighbors’ doors, or have concerns about illness since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Logistical reasons, in which families live in geographical areas that merely aren’t conducive to trick-or-treating
• Financial reasons, in which candy and costumes just aren’t in the budget
• Weather-related concerns

Can You Still Celebrate Halloween If You Don't Go Trick-or-Treating?

Despite these challenges, there are countless families who may still want to celebrate Halloween or the autumn season with their kids.

“Some families don't like the horror aspect that has developed around Halloween or want it to be less about candy and costumes but do want to recognize the changing of the seasons and all the fun that comes with that,” says Webb.

That being said, Halloween can still be fun-filled occasion that anyone, no matter their circumstances can enjoy. All you need to make Halloween fun is your loved ones and a little bit of the creative spirit.

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