Family Alternatives to Halloween

Fun Options to Trick or Treating and Spooky Entertainment

Oct 22, 2009

Halloween can be fun. Due to religious beliefs, some choose not to participate. Make October 31st a family night. Plan activities that are safe and enjoyable for all.

Many people celebrate Halloween each year. It's a fun time for kids. But many choose to ignore the holiday because it conflicts with their religious beliefs. For the sake of the kids, there should be a balance between personal convictions and depriving children of a special night of fun.

Halloween Alternatives for Families

Remember what it was like to be a kid? Childhood is so short. If trick or treating conflicts with personal or religious beliefs, start a new tradition to make October 31st memorable. Choose to make Halloween a family night children look forward to year after year. There are many ways to create lasting memories without ghost and ghouls.

Family Game Night – Many families choose to do this on a weekly basis, not just once a month or once a year. Start collecting a variety of family friendly games for all ages. Order take out, have a pizza delivered or provide special finger foods and snacks.

Family Movie Night and Pajama Party – Gather together a few family friendly movies. Pop some popcorn. Order a pizza or make one from scratch. Pass out the soda and pour the chips in a bowl. Lay sleeping bags in the floor and enjoy a family slumber party.

Homemade Pizza – Many families are discovering the fun of making pizza at home. It saves money and it's something the whole family can help with. There are many recipes available online for creating fantastic restaurant style pizza at home.

Backyard Camp Out – For the more adventurous families, a backyard camp out might be an option. Pitch a tent. Cook hamburgers, hot dogs and chili out on the grill. Roast marshmallows. Sing camp fire songs and play hide & seek. Provide glow sticks or battery operated lanterns to use as outdoor lighting.

Alternative to Trick or Treating and Carnivals

Celebrate Halloween with the whole neighborhood. Invite friends to a party in lieu of going trick or treating. There are many inexpensive fun ways to have a good time in a group setting.

Ice Cream Party – This is a fun and inexpensive party idea. The hostess provides the ice cream. The guest provide the toppings. It's fun to see what topping each guest will bring. Some will bring candy, others will bring fruit. All will have a sweet time.

Everything Pumpkin Night – Pumpkins are everywhere at Halloween. Consider taking a family field trip to a local pumpkin farm. Have a pumpkin baking night. Have fun discovering the many ways to cook and enjoy pumpkin. Challenge the family to create a meal entirely out of pumpkin. Recipes might include pumpkin soup, pumpkin chili, pumpkin bread, pumpkin bars and pumpkin pie. Be creative.

Apple Harvest Night – There are many different apple theme activities. Visit an apple orchard. Learn how apples grow. Tell the story of Johnny Appleseed. Make apple cider, apple sauce, apple pie and candy apples. Bob for apples. This can be a yearly event that teaches an economical life-long skill.

Create A Cookie Night – Similar to ice cream night, have a cookie decorating party. Provide store bought or homemade cookies in various fall shapes. Have guest bring the decorations. Some may bring sprinkles or candy, others will bring colored frosting. If they don't get consumed along the way, by the end of the night, guest should have several creative cookies to take home.

Bible Themed Party – Have a party with a church or Bible-based theme. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed the Ninety-Five Theses to the door of the Whittenberg Church and lit the fire of the Reformation. Have everyone come to the party dressed in Reformation Period clothes. Provide food from that time period as well. Have a Bible quiz. Play Bible Trivia or other Bible based board games.

Another great choice for little kids is to have a Noah's Ark Party. Have friends and family dress as animals or as Noah and his family. Provide food and games with an animal, zoo or pet store theme.

Quality Family Time

Many people attend carnivals and festivals. Retailers expect consumers to spend a great amount of money each year on candy and costumes. Choose, instead, to make Halloween a special day for the family. Be creative. Throw out the old ideas of and start new traditions. Have fun.

The copyright of the article Family Alternatives to Halloween in Kids Holiday Activities is owned by Amy Wingfield. Permission to republish Family Alternatives to Halloween in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.