Trunk or Treating for Halloween

on October 3, 2009 at 7:38 AM

Most kids go Trick or Treating on Halloween night. ethans_momma06 and her toddler son go Trunk or Treating. She and a group from her local church get permission to park their cars in a big local lot, and pop their trunks.

Some people bring folding chairs, others stand, but everyone brings candy. The children walk around like they would house to house, but it's car to car.

Why would anyone do this?

Well, ethans_momma06 lives in a rural area. You'd have to walk two to three miles to get to each house, or drive there, and what's the fun in that? Plus, she feels it's way safer.

"It's generally a better lit location, your children aren't approaching strangers in their homes, the place is swamped with adults, reducing the chance of inappropriate behavior, and your children are not walking on the street," says ethans_momma06. "And most of the ... unsavory ... people stay home. Even if they don't, you are better able to avoid them and their front doors."

Sometimes other festivities accompany Trunk or Treating, like a Halloween party, costume contest, face painting or a haunted house. It's perfect for toddlers, especially, because there's less walking and kids are bound to run into their friends.

Want to organize one in your area? Says ethans_momma ...

"If you belong to a church, start there. If you frequent your community center or library, ask if you are able to use their parking lot. Just get a group of the local women and men and decide on a date and then send around fliers. Announce it at the end of church or in bookmark fliers at the library."

Would you consider Trunk or Treating for your toddlers? What alternative types of Halloween celebrations does your family participate in?

Related posts:

Scary Maternity Halloween Costumes

Easy Girl's Halloween Costume

Halloween Safety Tips for Toddlers

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: halloween

Comments (13)

momoflilangel

on Oct 3, 2009 at 7:47 AM

My friend's church in Texas is doing this also. I think it is a great idea.

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BusyBeesmom

on Oct 3, 2009 at 8:54 AM

We do this every year, it works out great and we see friends and have more time to enjoy each others company, plus I feel its safer as most of the people there go to our church.

JessecaLynn

on Oct 3, 2009 at 8:59 AM

We went to a trunk or treat for our twin's first trick or treating experience when they were 20 months old. It was great because they didn't get worn out but still got some candy. Plus you knew that the people there were probably safe since they were members of the church.

yetti26

on Oct 3, 2009 at 10:27 AM

We went last year, my daughter was 18 months old. They went all out and decorated the cars and a lot of the people handing candy wore costumes. There were about 30 cars there. It was a lot of fun. This year we'll be going the traditional route, but only because we are going to the neighborhood that I grew up in, and I know it's safe. Last year we were living out of state (my husband is in the army) and so we did the truck or treating on post. I think it's great for younger children.

jagrus

on Oct 3, 2009 at 11:44 AM

Our church is doing this as well in Louisville, Ky, only we are doing it in our church lot. and there is going to be food and games

Peajewel

on Oct 3, 2009 at 11:53 AM

We do his every year at our church, it is a lot of fun and then there is a party after. We also have trick-or-treat at the local camp grounds. They have a whole weekend where all the kids go from camp site to camp site in their costumes and then they show a movie at their amphitheatre for all the kids. It is a lot of fun as well.

kittymom

on Oct 4, 2009 at 1:51 AM

Our Church in Colorado - Flat Irons Community Church does a Fall Festival and they do Trunck and Treat. Everyone decorates their truncks and dress up them selves and makes it really enjoyable for the kids. We had a tall kitchen garabage bag almost 2/3 of the way full with that much candy, that how many people where involved.

toriandgrace

on Oct 4, 2009 at 2:05 AM

I always thought it took away a lot of the fun. We're going Trick or Treating on base. It's well lit, there are sidewalks and we get to go door to door like I did when I was a kid.