Not up for Trick or Treating?
Halloween: Not Up for Trick-or-Treating? Here’s How to Celebrate Your Own Way
Halloween often comes with a set script: costumes, pumpkin carving, and knocking on doors with a chorus of “trick or treat.” But the truth is, not every family wants to, or can, take part in those traditions. Maybe your children aren’t keen on the crowds, maybe it feels too much after a long day, or maybe you simply fancy something different this year. And that’s perfectly okay.
The beauty of Halloween is that it’s all about imagination, fun, and a touch of spooky sparkle. You get to decide what that looks like for your family. Here are some ideas to bring the spirit of the season into your home without the pressure of trick-or-treating.
Movie Magic
Turn your living room into a cosy cinema and host a Halloween movie marathon. Pop some corn, dim the lights, pile up the blankets, and enjoy family-friendly classics. You could even create “tickets” for the night and let the kids play usher.
Dress-Up, No Doorbells Required
Children often love the dressing-up part of Halloween most of all. Why not make that the main event? Host a family costume fashion show or set up a mini photo shoot at home. Add a runway with a blanket and let everyone strut their stuff, pets included.
Stories by Candlelight
Sometimes the simplest traditions make the best memories. Switch off the big lights, grab a few torches or candles, and gather together for a storytelling session. You could read from favourite Halloween books, or better yet, make up your own spooky or silly tales as a family.
Crafty Creations
Pumpkin carving isn’t for everyone. Sharp tools and mess everywhere can be overwhelming. Painting pumpkins is colourful, creative, and far less stressful. Add in some paper ghosts, bat garlands, or DIY spooky masks, and your home will look wonderfully festive.
Tasty Treats Together
Cooking as a family is a great way to get into the Halloween spirit. From pumpkin-shaped biscuits to mummy sausage rolls, themed snacks always go down a treat. Let the kids help with stirring, decorating, or naming the dishes; they’ll love it.
Spooky Adventures Outdoors
If you’d rather get some fresh air, go for a twilight nature walk. Notice the crunch of leaves, the colours of autumn, or the way the trees look just a bit spookier in the dusk. To make it extra fun, turn it into a scavenger hunt. Who can spot the first spider web, the brightest leaf, or a ghost-shaped stick?
Glow and Go
Nothing says Halloween fun quite like glow sticks. Use them for a dance party, a scavenger hunt, or even outdoor games in the garden. You could also organise a glow-in-the-dark treasure hunt around the house. Simple to set up, but guaranteed to delight.
Give Back Together
Halloween can also be a time of kindness. Families who prefer not to join the sugar-fuelled rush might enjoy using the day to support others, whether that’s donating food to a local charity, making a card for a neighbour, or baking treats to share with friends.
Do It Your Way
At the end of the day, Halloween doesn’t have to look the same in every household. Some families love trick-or-treating, some prefer a night of cosy films and crafts, and some mix it all together. There’s no right or wrong here, only what feels joyful and manageable for your family.
So, if knocking on doors isn’t on the agenda this year, rest assured, you can still make October 31st magical, memorable, and full of laughter, just in your own way.
Anisa is an accredited and certified Positive Parenting Coach, mother, and ex-deputy head teacher, with 25+ years of experience working and supporting children and families. Anisa specialises in empowering and positively transforming lives of parents and children, who are facing stress, anxiety, or just day-to-day challenges of parenting – working with them directly, in group environments, and through corporate channels. Anisa is hugely passionate about using her coaching skills, and educational background, to find ways for parents and children to move through the challenges they face in life, together.
Anisa is here to help bring about multi-generational change as she believes we often get stuck in the patterns from the past, following the path we ourselves tread, which isn’t always the right one to support our children and she is here to help families work things out, so they get to know that parenting does not have to be hard.
To book a Free Chat with Anisa, click HERE.
