Halloween trick-or-treat trail

What it is

An organised trick-or-treat trail. Neighbours or friends each decorate a doorway or a station in a big garden, and children follow a map from stop to stop collecting sweets and stamps. Safer and more fun than random knocking, and great for young children.

Plan ahead

• Three weeks before: ask 6-10 neighbours to host a station. Make a map with each stop numbered.
• One week before: buy sweets (and non-food treats for children with allergies), stamps and glow bracelets.
• On the day: each host decorates their station and puts a pumpkin outside so children know where to stop.

Station ideas

• A witch handing out “potions” (juice boxes)
• A “spider’s lair” with webs and a spider ring treat
• A pumpkin patch where kids pick a mini pumpkin
• A ghost who tells a joke for every treat

Activities

• Stamp card: a full card gets a bonus prize at the end.
• Costume parade: everyone walks the street; prizes for spookiest, funniest, best homemade.

Food and drink

• Hot chocolate at the finish
• Hot dogs or soup for parents

Tips

• Use a teal pumpkin at stations offering non-food treats for children with allergies.
• Give children glow bracelets so they are visible in the dark.