Halloween is officially in thirteen days and counting. Many children are looking forward to seeing just how much sweet loot they can get as a part of their Trick-or-Treating escapades. Yet, some parents may be a little concerned about the sugar overload. Well, this year, the experts from Parents.com and beyond have come up with five outside-of-the box Halloween ideas kids will love that don’t involve tons of candy.
Book-o-Ween
Instead of giving out candy, give out books. Set up a free “library” outside of your house and have a selection of literary spooky titles. Here are a few titles that you can share for your Book-o-Ween library:
- “Room on the Broom” by Julia Donaldson: A charming tale of a kind witch and her animal friends on a magical adventure.
- “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything” by Linda Williams: A classic story about a brave little old lady who faces her fears with humor.
- “Creepy Carrots!” by Aaron Reynolds: A fun, slightly spooky story about a rabbit who is convinced that the carrots in the garden are out to get him.
- “There’s a Monster in Your Book” by Tom Fletcher: An interactive tale that invites kids to help get the monster out of the book!
- “Boo! A Halloween Treat” by A. C. Johnson: A delightful read that captures the excitement of Halloween night with playful illustrations.
- “The Spooky Wheels on the Bus” by Laura Numeroff: A Halloween twist on the classic nursery rhyme, filled with fun and spooky characters.
- “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving (adapted for kids): A kid-friendly version of the classic ghost story, perfect for introducing young readers to classic literature.
- “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” by Alvin Schwartz: A collection of spooky stories that are perfect for slightly older kids who enjoy a good scare.
- “Monster Mash” by Hal Leonard: A fun sing-along book based on the classic Halloween song, great for celebrating the season.
- “How to Catch a Monster” by Adam Wallace: A playful story about a clever kid who sets out to catch a friendly monster.
Treats For Troops
Set aside and collect some of the holiday haul for our soldiers abroad. Additionally, if you’d like to go all out, you can register your home as a collection site for Soldiers Angels.
These “Treats for Troops” are extremely important as these special treats bring comfort from abroad for soldiers who might just be missing home.
Costume Parade and Talent Show
Organize a neighborhood costume parade where kids can show off their unique outfits. Afterwards, host a talent show where they can perform skits, songs, or dance routines. This encourages creativity and community engagement without the focus on candy.
Halloween Scavenger Hunt
Create a scavenger hunt with Halloween-themed clues and items to find, such as spooky decorations, hidden ghosts, or pumpkin stickers. Kids can work in teams and enjoy the thrill of the hunt, collecting non-candy treats like stickers or small toys along the way.
DIY Haunted House
Set up a backyard or garage haunted house using household items, spooky decorations, and DIY props. Kids can take turns being the “haunters” and the “visitors,” creating a fun, immersive experience that emphasizes creativity and teamwork over candy.
Bonus idea…Monster Movie Night
Host a family-friendly Halloween movie night featuring classic animated films or spooky, light-hearted movies. Provide popcorn, healthy snacks, and themed drinks. Encourage kids to come dressed in their costumes and have fun discussing their favorite characters afterward.
These ideas promote engagement, creativity, and fun experiences, making Halloween enjoyable without relying heavily on candy!
Photo: Freepik.com; Soldier Angels; Amazon.com