Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating For Your Preschooler

Halloween screams costumes and candy, but for some preschoolers, the holiday can feel overwhelming; many families scramble to find alternatives to trick-or-treating. Some younger kids are scared or confused by the “spookiness” of Halloween traditions. From roaming around in the dark to masks and makeup, Halloween may feel more like a trick than a treat. Cultural or family traditions may also mean people celebrate differently, at a different time, or not at all.

If your little one needs alternatives to trick-or-treating, Denver Preschool Program (DPP) put together a number of ideas you can celebrate the season in your own way.  

Still Sweet, But Without the Spook: Non-Trick-or-Treat Fun

Since many families celebrate Halloween (and other holidays) differently, consider taking the “spooky” out altogether and make your celebration just about the fun of the fall season. Explore a new tradition, learn about a new culture, try a new recipe, or break out the paints and glue for some hands-on alternatives to trick-or-treating crafts. 

• Pumpkin carving: Between squeezing sticky seeds and picking fun designs, pumpkins are always a hit. If carving feels a bit dangerous for those little hands, try paint, stickers, markers, or glue and glitter. You can also buy pre-packed no-knife decorating kits. 
• Costume box: Take away the stress for kids (and parents) of coming up with a creative costume–make your own custom costume bin for everyone to enjoy. Invite friends and family over, and ask guests to bring silly apparel or accessory items from their homes (no purchase necessary). Then have a silly and spontaneous dress-up party for all ages. To show off your looks, have a dance party with these Top Children’s Halloween Hits from Spotify. 
• Treats and crafts without the tricks: Filling a bucket full of sugary sweets might not be right for your child (or your sanity), so try hosting a cookie swap, potluck, or craft night with other families. Ask guests to bring their favorite fall treats or small crafts. Each child can create something to share and go home with a bag of fun takeaways from their friends and family. Here are a few fun recipes from Allrecipes.com or a list of make-at-home crafts for creative leaf gifts.
• Glow + light parties: To make the dark a bit less scary, light it up! From glow paint to stickers, clothing and, of course, glow sticks, have your little ones help you light up the night with all things that glow. To elevate the illumination, or enjoy the party before sundown, grab a black-light or black-light flashlights. 
• Harvest celebrations: Celebrating the fall harvest can be a way to try favorite traditions and recipes from different cultures. Celebrating the harvest season is one of the oldest global traditions and incorporates gratitude, community, and, oftentimes, good food! Make your harvest celebration whatever you choose. When it comes to coziness and comfort, there’s nothing better than apple cider, cider donuts, pies, curries, stews, soups, and breads. If you have a safe place to make a campfire, you could also make s’mores. 

Embrace Other Autumn Holidays as Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating 

Halloween isn’t the only holiday to enjoy in the fall. Check out these two wonderful cultural observations that can spark learning and fun. 

• Diwali is a South Asian holiday celebrated in late October or early November (based on the new moon) by more than a billion people worldwide. It is known as the Festival of Lights. Weave this holiday into your alternatives to trick-or-treating. As the evenings get darker earlier, try bringing lanterns, fairy lights, or even candlelight outside to create a magical landscape for little ones to enjoy in the crisp air. 
• Dia de Los Muertos is one of the most well-known celebrations of the autum season. The occasion can be a great way to spend time with family focusing on gratitude and wonderful memories of those still here and those who have passed. The holiday, rooted in Mexican culture, and celebrated in early November, is the perfect time to invite all generations of family to come together to share stories and traditions. Preschoolers are the perfect age to help in the kitchen making family recipes. They can also try arranging flowers or enjoy hearing stories about their ancestors. Little learners might also love to scrapbook, draw pictures from the stories, or look at photo albums.
  • Celebrate Día de Los Muertos early at Market at The Center on October 11, 2025 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The celebration is part of 2nd Saturdays at CSU Spur and is free to everyone. Be sure to stop by our booth as we will be sharing information about how Denver families can lower their preschool costs. 

Denver-Area Trick-or-Treating Alternatives 

Here are some great local fall festivals with all the fun and none of the prep. 

• Anderson Farms Fall Festival: Open September 24th through Nov 1st, this is a hugely popular activity with hay rides, pumpkin patches, games, music, and food. Tickets range from $13-$30 (kids under 3 are free) based on when you purchase and what days you prefer. Note that tickets go quickly so snag yours early. 
• Pumpkin Festival at Chatfield Farms: This event occurs only between October 10th-12th and includes hay rides, magic shows, photo booths, tractor-pulled rides to pumpkin patches and even “free pumpkin day care” so you can enjoy the event without worrying about your prize pumpkins being lost. Tickets range from $10-$20 per person based on membership (kids under 2 are free).

Looking for other ideas for fall family fun? Check out our recent blog posts:

• Fall Family Recipes and Resources for Denver Families
• Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 with Your Preschooler
• Best Time and Locations for Families to View Fall Leaves Near Denver