Out of all the Halloween traditions, trick or treating tops the list without question. From the candy to the costumes, there’s excitement around every corner. In order for you and your family to get the most of Halloween’s biggest night, you’ll need to have some smart tips on hand and a willingness to plan ahead. The scary good results will make the work worth it!
Map Out Your Neighborhood
Before your family heads out on their Halloween night adventure, it’s a smart idea to plan out your trick or treating route. Having an established path for the evening is a simple way to make the most of your time and prevent any chance of getting turned around while on your journey.
Whether you’ll be perusing your own neighborhood or visiting a friend’s, get a solid idea of which streets your kids will want to tackle. Make a time-efficient route that includes all of the must-hit spots for a Halloween night without any hiccups.
Fill Up Before You Head Out
The last thing you want to deal with while out trick or treating is a rumbling stomach. Keep hunger at bay by serving a hearty (yet healthy) dinner for the family at home before the night’s festivities begin.
From white bean chilli to butternut squash soup, there’s plenty of classic Fall dishes you can whip up on Halloween night. You can even pull off the table covers and their air bags to serve your feast al fresco to kick off the evening on a fun note. But be sure not to overeat- no one wants to feel bloated when they’re getting their tricks and treats.
Make Sure You’re Comfortable
Nothing will ruin Halloween night quicker than an uncomfortable costume or sore feet. Factoring warmth and comfort into your kid’s costumes as well as your own outfit will make a huge difference in your trick or treating adventure.
For those dressing up in costumes, make sure they’re wearing layers underneath to help keep warm in the chill of Halloween night. Cut out any itchy tags and check that masks aren’t too tight. And the whole family should be wearing comfortable footwear, whether it be sneakers or other styles with gel insoles inserted.
Go Over Safety Measures
Safety is one aspect of Halloween night that should never be neglected. No matter how old your kids are, establishing safety measures is nothing short of essential. These measures include pedestrian awareness, stranger danger, and sticking to well-known neighborhoods, just to name a few.
Gather Up a Group
One of the most exciting parts of trick or treating is getting to share your experience with others. Group trick or treating with friends or family members not only adds some fun to the evening, it helps to keep everyone safe as well.
Invite a small number of family and friends to your home on Halloween night and enjoy dinner together before heading out. And don’t forget to take some pictures of the kids in their costumes alongside their nearest and dearest for memories that will last a lifetime.
Leave at the Right Time
One crucial but often overlooked element of a successful trick or treating experience is timing. Leaving too early in the evening means you’ll miss out on the ambiance of Halloween night, and departing too late results in empty streets and doorbells being unanswered.
Avoid both of these scenarios by departing between 6 and 6:30 PM, or right after the sun sets. Don’t forget to place your chair covers and swing covers before heading out. Plan for the outing to last around two hours, possibly less if you have little ones who will get tired sooner.
Remember Politeness
As your kids head door to door with pumpkin pails in hand, it’s important that they mind their manners. Sit down with them before the big night and go over some basic rules of politeness they need to follow when trick or treating. These include:
- Only ringing the doorbell or knocking the door once
- Always saying “trick or treat!” followed with a “Thank you!”
- If there is a “serve yourself” candy bowl, only take one or two pieces. Don’t be greedy on Halloween night!
Get Home On Time
With Halloween landing on a school night this year, returning home at a reasonable hour is a smart idea. Trick or treaters and their families typically start to head home around 8 PM which gives the kids enough time to go through their candy and relax a bit before bed.
If your kids aren’t keen on heading home on time, remind them that most houses will stop giving out candy around then anyways so there’s not a reason to stay out any longer.
Don’t Go Crazy on the Candy
For many kids. dumping out the candy pails and going through the night’s haul is the highlight of Halloween. In between all of the excitement, it’s important that you set some limits on the night’s candy consumption.
Of course, this doesn’t mean banning candy for the night. Set a smart limit, such as three pieces, before you store the rest for later. And remind your kids that the more candy they save tonight, the more they’ll have to enjoy throughout the next month.
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