Halloween activities for teens and adults often involve haunted houses or spooky hayrides, but you may be looking for something a little less scary for younger kids. When children think of Halloween, most envision large bags of candy and elaborate costumes depicting their favorite movie characters or superheroes. If traditional Trick-or Treating is not appealing to you, here are some alternative family-friendly Halloween activities to consider.

Trunk or Treat

In recent years, communities, churches, or neighborhoods have been banning together to organize Trunk or Treat events around Halloween. Each participant decorates the trunk of a car or SUV with a theme, and they sit in lawn chairs tailgate-style, handing out candy to children dressed in costume. The event is usually held in a large parking lot, or at the ends of neighborhood driveways. A flow of traffic is established in advance, along with hours of operation. It’s a fun activity for the candy givers as well as the recipients, and it doesn’t drag on late into the night.

Corn Maze

Us Chippewa residents are lucky enough to live close enough to a few different corn mazes that can be visited around Halloween. These corn mazes often have family-friendly activities scheduled earlier in the afternoon and evening, and a scarier agenda for the older kids after dark. Fall decorations abound with pumpkins and scarecrows, which provide great photo opportunities, too. Some corn mazes offer hayrides, games, bonfires, and food in addition to the fun of finding your way through the paths in the cornfield.

Fall Festivals

Local churches and community centers often advertise a fall festival around Halloween each year. Many schedule the party for Halloween night to provide a safe alternative to Trick-or Treating. Games and rides provide plenty of family fun, and candy is handed out to the children. Some festivals feature a piñata for the school-age crowd and treat bags for the younger set. Others may hand out candy at each game or ride. Kids are encouraged to show up in costume, and some fall festivals even hand out prizes for the most creative costume. Cake walks and pumpkin carving contests may also be offered, as well as a tasty selection of fall treats.

Pumpkin Patch

Similar to the corn maze is the local pumpkin patch. Daytime activities may include hand-picking your pumpkin from the field and carving or painting it on site. Hot apple cider and funnel cakes are a common treat, and there are usually some outdoor games and pony rides for the kids to enjoy. As with the corn maze, the weather needs to be clear for this type of event. If the air is cool and crisp, there is no better fall activity to be had.

ZooBoo at the Pittsburgh Zoo

If your family is willing to make the drive down to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium this October, you will be in for a treat! ZooBoo will take place from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the zoo on October 22, 23, 29, and 30. Kids can trick-or-treat throughout the zoo, create creepy crafts, meet their favorite characters, visit the animals, and best of all—showcase their “spooktacular” costumes in the Halloween parade, dance, and costume contest.

Halloween in the Park

We’re in luck this fall with a few fun Halloween events taking place right in Chippewa! Kids Octoberfest will take place at Chippewa Park Shelter #3 on October 15 from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. and Kids Camp: Halloween Party will happen at Wright Fieldhouse at Veteran’s Park on October 22 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

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