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Trick-or-treating is a tradition with lots of history. Remember when you were a kid, dressing up in costumes and running from house to house with a sack full of candy? Times have changed, unfortunately. No longer can we allow our children, even older ones, to go out without an adult to supervise them and keep them safe. Even supervision isn’t a guarantee of safety, because one never knows what tricks may be lurking in their treats. Few families are lucky enough to live in an area where we can trust our neighbors. Perhaps it’s time to make some new traditions for Halloween fun.
Many communities have programs and parties for Halloween activities. Malls, community centers, and even children’s museums get in on the action by hosting a version of trick-or-treat so the kids can wear costumes and troll for candy in a safe environment. Parties can also be a great addition to Halloween fun, with costume contests, games, and candy treats. Usually, however, they’re held on a different night or earlier than the traditional trick-or-treat time.
You may wish to host a Halloween party of your own, on trick-or-treat night, to keep the kids in. Unless other parents are in agreement with your motives, however, it can be tough to get the kids to show up. It’s also hard when other kids start coming to the door. If you have a group of like-minded parents, perhaps you can rent a party hall to avoid mutiny by kids who want to go door to door when they see others doing it. Or hold the party in your basement, with all the lights out upstairs to discourage visitors.
Another idea is to substitute an activity during trick-or-treat time that is more attractive. Let the kids dress up in their costumes, and take them to a haunted house! These are always more lively on Halloween night, though it can be tough to find one that is age appropriate. Or darken the house, and head to the family room with a selection of scary movies. Serve popcorn and all sorts of treats that aren’t usually available.
A compromise between traditional trick-or-treating and the desire to keep your kids safe may be possible with some effort and planning. If you usually have a lot of traffic on Halloween night, make your own haunted house! Clear out the garage, or set up a scary scene in your front yard. Get the kids involved in creating effects and monsters. Play spooky music and give the neighborhood kids some great entertainment! Your kids may not want to leave your house when it’s much more fun to be there than knocking on doors for a bag of candy. If you do this, allow your kids to go to a few houses where you know the people so they won’t feel left out.
With some creativity, you can make traditional trick-or-treating less attractive to your children and substitute safer activities. The key is to keep them from feeling deprived because you’re overprotective, by showing them how to make this event even better. You will start a new tradition for Halloween fun that may set an example for the entire neighborhood.
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