With fall just beginning, there are all kinds of seasonal fun for the whole family! Unfortunately, in today’s world, fall can also mean being surrounded by different types of Halloween-themed items. Many Christian parents are not comfortable with celebrating Halloween because of ties to pagan traditions, but it’s hard for children to see friends getting all dressed up and enjoying candy without them. How can we provide a fun experience for them that does not contradict our beliefs? Simple: we tell them that, while we might not be going trick or treating, we are going to celebrate in a different way that is more honoring to God! Here are a few different family-friendly alternatives to trick-or-treating on Halloween.
Attend a local church’s fall festival
There are so many amazing ideas online for putting together a great fall festival! Chances are, there is already a church in your community that plans to host one. Reach out to Christian parents who attend other churches in your area to see what is available near you. If, for some reason, you can’t find any, consider talking to your church’s children’s ministry about putting one on yourselves! Fall festivals often include games where children can “earn” candy by winning, favors, music, and even costume competitions! This way, your child can still enjoy dressing up and getting a nice little goodie bag, without the questionable holiday history.
Carve pumpkins together as a family, with little sweet “prizes” for each child
Pumpkin carving is a fun family-friendly activity, and you can reward each child for participating with a personalized title for “cutest pumpkin carving” or “most creative” along with a sweet treat. Consider picking up some non-toxic paint for small children who may not be able to carve yet.
Bake fall-flavored treats together
Skip the trinkets and questionable popcorn balls, and stay in with some maple syrup, canned pumpkin, and caramel! There are so many wonderful fall flavors to choose from, so try to pick a few new ones to experiment with this year. Put together a list of doable, age-appropriate fall recipes, and let your children help you pick a few favorites to make together. Who cares about processed candies when you get to make your own special treats?
These are just a few of many alternative activities to do on Halloween. Each can be made even more fun if you invite some other Christian families to join in! Enjoy these fun alternative activities your kids will love, and that will give you peace of mind.
