Halloween festivities are everywhere, from flyers to social media buzz. Our website is brimming with event listings. Trunk-or-treats and costumes dominate discussions these days. But for those who don't partake in Halloween traditions, what options are there?
We're the family that doesn't celebrate Halloween.
Aside from the fall festival at our kids' elementary school, which happened days before Halloween where they'd wear costumes, we never really joined in on the Halloween activities. The school used to host trunk-or-treats, but we'd arrive later, after those were over. Now that we homeschool, we're usually at home unless there's a dance or PE class for the kids that happens on that evening.
As a parent, it's important to me that our children do not feel excluded due to peer pressure. We do this by crafting our own enjoyable and memorable experiences. Our family delights in organizing themed evenings filled with a delicious meal and a fun activity, a tradition that has served us well for years.
Here are 7 Halloween-free ideas that you and your family can do at home:
Create Your Own Cinema Cafe with a Family Movie Night
Our family traditionally holds a monthly movie night, and this year, we've decided to have movie night on Halloween. Usually, one person selects the movie, meal, and snacks. On movie night, we cook together and watch the film. The kids are allowed to stay up later, and since we homeschool, we can all enjoy sleeping in for an extra hour the next morning. If your family enjoys movies, consider a marathon night complete with all your favorite treats!
Transform Your Home into a Pizzeria with Family Pizza Night
For years, our family tradition has been to enjoy a pizza night. My husband would grab pizzas from a local chain or Italian eatery, and we'd spend the night eating various pizzas and sides. Now, like our movie nights, we've started a monthly tradition of crafting our own pizzas. It's an activity we've loved even more! Try whipping up different kinds of pizzas, add sides or sweets, and celebrate! If you’re not into making your own pizzas, you can always order takeout or delivery.
Play All the Games with Family Game Night
Game nights are a hit with my kids! We enjoy board and card games, including Uno, Jenga, Bingo, and Connect Four. Why not collect some of your beloved board games and have a family competition for candy, small rewards, or simply for the joy of it? Consider organizing a small family carnival or harvest festival where each person designs a game. This allows everyone to partake in each other's creations, whether for prizes or fun.
Turn Your Home into an Arcade with a Family Video Game Night
Do you have gamers in your family? My family enjoys racing and sports video games. Consider hosting a video game night where everyone can enjoy their favorite games. Choose multiplayer video games to ramp up the excitement. Whip up a simple dinner or snacks and get ready for a night full of unforgettable fun!
Have a Family Dance, Karaoke or Talent Show
Are there any dancers or singers in your family? Let family members show off their talents at a dance or karaoke night! You can even put on a talent show where family members can sing, dance, recite poetry, or perform other activities.
Get Artsy with a Family Craft Night
Plan a craft night by choosing one or two crafts, gathering or purchasing the supplies. Family members can work together, in teams, or individually. You can even hold a crafting contest to see who makes the best craft. Is crafting not popular with your family? Consider something simple like drawing, pumpkin-painting or a coloring contest!
Cook Up Something Delicious with Family Cooking Night
We're a family of foodies, so we're always looking for new dishes to cook together. Plan a special cooking night where everyone picks out a meal and dessert and cooks it together. You can assign tasks to the younger ones such as gathering and adding ingredients, while allowing the older ones to prep, cut, and even cook certain items under your supervision. Each family member has a role to play in preparing the meal, which makes it more special when the whole family enjoys the end result.
Celebrating Halloween is a personal choice. Regardless of the reasons for not celebrating Halloween, you and your family can still have fun without participating in the holiday. You can create new traditions and experiences that represent your family values. At the end of the day, family is everything and we must seize every opportunity to create enduring memories with our families no matter the occasion.
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