5 Teen Halloween Alternatives to Trick or Treating

It’s finally happened. C, who happily went trick or treating last year, reached high school and decided he was now “too old” to participate. Luckily, I’ve still got V, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t crushed he doesn’t want to go any longer.

Fourteen may seem old, but as long as you’re showing up in a costume, saying “trick or treat” and “thank you”, I’m more than happy to toss you some Hershey’s bars. If you plan on showing up in your regular clothes, with an open book bag, claiming you’re a student, that gets a negative Ghost Rider and it may be time to think of some trick or treating alternatives. For those of you who have teenagers who also feel they are “too old” to go out trick or treating, here are 5 teen Halloween alternatives to keep them joining in the fun.

Go to an amusement park

Many theme parks have Halloween-themed attractions during this time of year that range from fun, like Hersheypark’s Hersheypark in the Dark and the Disney After Hours Boo Bash, to scary, like Carowinds’ Scarowinds and Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.

We actually went to Hersheypark in the Dark in 2017 and had an amazing time. Something about being in the town of chocolate just added to the holiday and they actually do pass out candy at various stops throughout the park. Most parks allow you to dress up, just be sure to check what the dress code is so you aren’t stuck leaving your costume in the car.

Have a Halloween Party

What’s more fun than dressing up and hanging out with your friends? It’s like a birthday party, but everyone gets to be the standout with their own unique costumes. Add in little candy bags and everyone gets a party favor as well.

Have your teen pick out a few friends, make some spooky-themed appetizers, and break out the gauze and fake blood to throw a Halloween-themed party a la 80’s horror movie style. Steer clear of the old school games like bobbing for apples though unless you want to spread germs.

Drive around looking at decorations

I don’t think you’re ever too old for this one, in fact, I STILL love doing this in my thirties. It’s the first thing that truly lets me know the holiday has arrived when I drive past a house with pumpkins and mums on the porch. Ask around for the best neighborhoods to look in or (if you don’t mind wasting gas) just drive around and see what you come across. Living in apartment complexes you tend to miss out on people going all out on decorations, so you’ll definitely get your fix this way.

Do a nighttime corn maze

We’ve actually done this for the past 2 years and it’s so much fun. It turns into more of a family competition to see who can finish first, but the kids usually team up against me, which is nice when they’re usually driving one another (and myself) crazy. With them being older, I also feel a bit safer when they, undoubtedly, run off in search of the pieces needed to complete the maze. The maze is only so big and we usually run into each other after a while. Flashlights, phones, and comfy shoes are a must!

Pass out candy, while watching Halloween classics

I grew up watching Charlie Brown holiday specials and The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown is no exception. As I got older, other things were incorporated in, such as Hocus Pocus … am I the only one who thought his name was Zachary Binks?? … and I shared those loves with the kids. Luckily, they haven’t outgrown the classics and if your teens are the same, pop some popcorn, pop on the tv, and pass out candy to the little ghouls and goblins who show up on Halloween night. Quality time has never been so sweet.

These are probably more October options rather than teen Halloween alternatives. Quite honestly, I don’t even think you need teen Halloween alternatives to trick or treating. Kids are only young once and, even as teenagers, they’re still kids. If your teen wants to go trick or treating, let them. Who cares if they’re the tallest kid out there, who cares if they’re starting college next year. If it still excites them to dress up and run door to door collecting candy in pillowcases Charlie Brown style, just let them. With all of the violence in the world, and the trouble they could be getting into, be thankful for kids of all ages who show up at your door looking for tricks and treats. They could be doing much worse.