Alternative Trick-or-Treat Activities

Parties for friends and family, preferably ones where there is still lots of candy, are great for keeping the children busy and allowing them to dress up. One of the best ways to do this is by having a haunted house. It doesn't need to be much; whatever the children can come up with will do. Having a dark room with bowls of spaghetti noodles, boiled and peeled eggs and other creepy-feeling foods can be fun.

Museums, churches and children's centers are getting into the holiday spirit by holding Halloween carnivals on Halloween night. There might be some elements of trick-or-treating going on, but there are other activities, as well, and the candy is coming from a reputable source. Once again, this still gives the children an opportunity to dress up and interact with other kids and adults.

The nice thing about Halloween is that there's not a whole lot to it. Spend the evening at home with the kids doing things as a family that will make the night special. Dressing up in costumes can be--but doesn't have to be--a part of the plan. Telling scary stories, watching scary movies and handing out candy to other kids can make for a fun family time.