Tips for Trick or treating

Safety First

1 .. Make it a party group event

Take all of your friends

From the time my oldest was only a year old, we had been invited to a friends trick or treat evening until we moved this year. We would all go to her house for a crockpot chili dinner and then go out to trick or treat together. There were usually around 20-30 kids (several children per family). Power in numbers we sure were. But with so many parents there to look after all the kids, we were also very safe and all the kids had friends to enjoy the evening with. As an added bonus, us parents also had more fun having other parents to enjoy the evening. 

2 .. Light it up

Use glow sticks to help keep track of your kiddos

If you are with a group or not, it is always a good idea to take safety precautions. Many costumes are darker in colors and can be easily lost in the night hours. Add glow sticks to the costumes, or have bracelets on their ankles, wrist or even in their hair.

3 .. Take a flashlight

Safety first continued. Most trick or treating still occurs at night. If you are on a well lit street or not, it is always a good idea to have a flashlight in case of emergencies. 

All About Treats

4 .. Let’s talk overflow

Take a backup bucket or bag

When my oldest was little, by the time we got to the end of one street, she couldn’t carry her bucket anymore. This is when my husband would resort to stuffing all the candy into his pockets - I do not recommend this. Instead, take a backup bag that you can dump the candy into and carry it around so your littles can continue the fun and you don’t get melted chocolate all over your clothes. 

Even when kids start to get stronger, this isn’t a bad habit to continue. It allows you to decide when you want to go home based on time or energy level instead of the room. 

5 .. Donate some candy

Several charities are happy to take in excess candy

When I was a kid, I loved the fun of trick or treating more than the candy. Now hear me out. I am not saying that I didn’t like candy and I definitely ate my fair share. BUT I also would trick or treat enough that I wouldn’t eat all of the candy. Then about 3 months later we would throw whatever was left in the trash. I know a lot of families don’t like the idea of their kids eating (literal) buckets full of candy. So donating some of it to charity is a fabulous alternative.

6 .. All you can eat

Eat all you can on Halloween and donate the rest

Piggy backing from the last thought; One of my friends likes to let her children eat whatever candy they want on Halloween night, and the very next day, they donate the rest to the troops. It’s not that her kids aren’t allowed sweet things, but they don’t see the need to keep so much of it in the house. And honestly, I never saw them eat all that much of it anyway. 

Costumes and More

7 .. Kids don't like masks? 

Use face paint instead 

Let’s face it, masks can be tight, smell funny, or not let your kids see through the tiny holes. Not everyone will keep them on. If this is your child, consider using face paint instead. It doesn’t have to be super in depth but can still give the idea of the character without the masks. Pro Tip - if it doesn’t come off, use some baking powder mixed with water and it should come right off.

8 .. Costume too long

Use paper clips or binder clips to "hem" them up

I don’t now about you, but I tend to be that mom who makes big plans and then does everything 3 days before it’s due. Whether you buy a costume or make it, sometimes, it’s just too big - either around the middle or too long. If you don’t want to spend the time to hem it, simply take some paper clips or binder clips and “pin” it up.  

9 .. Weather warning

Dress in layers

Growing up in Colorado, it is nearly always bitter cold and or snowing on Halloween. Many years, we would plan our costumes around our coats or being animals so we were covered in fur. If what they really want to be cannot accommodate this, there are options. Of course you can just put a coat over the top, or choose to do a trick or treat street indoors. Or you can dress them in layers. Adding things like leggings/pants or long sleeves under their costume often does not take away from the costume and does still keep them warm. Pro Tip - this works for parents too. Leggings under jeans or pajama pants (no judgement here) works wonders for keeping your own legs warm

10 .. Keeping the tiny ones warm

Wear the baby/take a stroller 

Bundling babies and small toddlers up once they are finished with the activities but their older siblings are not, and putting them in a stroller is a great idea. I tell you this because your arms will wear out carrying your little babe around for blocks. Plus a stroller can be a great place to store that backup candy bag we spoke of earlier. 

Another ideal option is to take a carrier for them. First, there are so many super cute ideas for costumes with babies in a carrier or wrap. Second, this will save your back and your arms when they inevitably fall asleep. And lastly this is the best idea to keep them (and you) warm. Your shared body heat will be the best way to keep them warm without overheating. 

Does your family like to dress in coordinating costumes?