We all have a trick-or-treating story we love to tell.
You’ve likely heard mine before: I vividly remember the year I was determined to amass a small fortune by way of SweeTarts, my fave candy as a kid. In the post-trick-or-treating flurry of candy brokering, I started by trading off 2-3 of candies I didn’t like for a single packet of SweeTarts. By the end of the trade, I’d escalated to trading away chocolate bars in the interest of building my pile. I ended up with 200+ packets…and I’m pretty sure it took me until Easter the next year to finish them all.
Trick-or-treating is beloved because it is iconic. It’s one of those rites of passage as a kid that give us a bit of freedom and make it feel like, for one night, we’re running the show. That’s powerful.
So of course of all the things we might have to forego this Halloween season…this one hurts the most. But before we get too bummed out about missing it, let me remind you: this is just one year. I know it sucks, esp. if it’s an iconic Halloween for your kids, but – fingers crossed – we’ll be back to normal trick-or-treating by next fall. (A ghoul can dream!)
So…what do we do instead? I have a few ideas…
Trick-or-Treating Alternatives

Backyard Candy Hunt
Take a page out of Easter’s book and hide Halloween candy around your backyard, then let your kids go hunting for it! Make sure you’re using prepackaged candy to avoid unwelcome critters getting to it first. Don’t forget to make yourself a cheat sheet of hiding places.
Candy Graveyard
I had to add this one in after seeing the idea from my friends over at Oriental Trading Co. Fill your yard with headstones, then distribute the candy in bowls by each one. Trick-or-treaters can wander the graveyard until they find their favorite for a contact-less trick-or-treating experience. (See 10 more of their ideas for low-contact trick-or-treating.)
Trick-or-Treat Indoors
Have a few friends or family who you’re comfortable spending time with and can station up in rooms around your house? Give them candy, then let your kiddos trick-or-treat from room to room. Not quite as fun as door-to-door, but it still gets the job done. This one is especially great for very young trick-or-treaters.
Make Halloween Candy Treats
I love this one: buy a bag of everyone’s favorite Halloween candy, then make a NEW sweet treat using that candy. You could enjoy this on Halloween day or make one every week in October. Need a few recipe ideas or inspirations? I’ve got 15 in this blog post!
Family Movie Night
Forgo trick-or-treating altogether and have a Halloween movie marathon instead. How many can you watch back-to-back?
Family Game Night
Or opt to spend your evening playing Halloween games – not those cheesy ones you find on Pinterest. I’m talking about Halloween board games.
Build a Bonfire
Bonfires on Halloween are an old Irish tradition. Grab a backyard firepit and build your own fire to gather around Halloween night, tell ghost stories and enjoy candy together.
Host an At-Home Micro Party
If you can’t go trick-or-treating, consider hosting a small gathering with those in your household or friends you feel comfortable inviting over for a micro party. Get micro party ideas in this blog post.
Host a Virtual Halloween Party
Gather your friends, family or whatever group you want on a video call and celebrate Halloween together! Need ideas of what to do? I’ve got several over here.
Costume Dinner Party
This is a repeat from my traditions list, but it’s because I love the idea of dressing up in costume on Halloween night and having a dinner party at home. Looking for a savory recipe or two? Find 11 in this post.
Pumpkin Carving Party
One more repeat from my traditions list. Carve pumpkins, roast pumpkin seeds and enjoy a pumpkin treat or two! My pumpkin juice is a fun one (which you could freeze or turn into a mimosa!) as is my mom’s pumpkin bread.
Make a Plan with Neighbors
Have lots of kiddos on your street? Consider working with your neighbors to come up with a trick-or-treating plan that is safe for everyone and do still make trick-or-treating happen on a smaller scale.
Yeet the Treats
You’ve probably seen the meme. I can’t take credit for that phrase, but hey – if all else fails, stand on your porch Halloween night and toss candy to kiddos from 6+ feet away! (She said half-jokingly…)
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What trick-or-treating alternative would you add to the list?
Let me know in the comments! Also, I’m doing my best to share ideas with you to save Halloween 2020. In case you missed them, check out these blog posts:
- 11 Halloween traditions to start this year
- 17 ideas for micro or virtual Halloween parties
- How we’re going to save Halloween 2020
Happy haunting,




Alison
I have three grandchildren who are going to LOVE some of these ideas when grandma moves back to Canada next year!! It will be a toss up as to who is more excited, them or me!
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Haha yay! I’m glad these sparked some ideas and excitement for you.
Lucy
How about Trunk or Treat from your own driveway? That way the kids still get to dress up and walk around the neighborhood but they don’t have to come up to the door to get candy. Also gives us a chance to dress up and stay an appropriate social distance away to keep an eye on the candy bowl/trunk and wave at the kiddos! 👻🎃
Miranda | Spooky Little Halloween
Absolutely! :)