Why Trunk-or-Treat is the New Halloween Tradition
Trick-or-treating has been the go-to way to commemorate Halloween in America since the early 20th century, but a new holiday trend is challenging its place. In recent years, trunk-or-treat festivities have become the norm for many communities. Providing a single space for candy collecting, trunk or treating has caught on with families who want to prioritize safety and minimize travel. Keep reading to learn more about how trunk or treating works and explore our trunk-or-treat ideas.
What is Trunk-or-Treat?
Trunk-or-treating is an alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. Instead of traveling door-to-door in a neighborhood to collect candy, community members park their cars in a nearby parking lot. There, kids and their families go from car trunk to trunk to ask for candy.
Trunks are often decorated to match the event, just like front porches and doorways are for trick-or-treating. In addition to candy, some cars also host games or fall-themed activities. Removing the need to drive around town to get a bag full of candy, many parents see trunk-or-treating as a more relaxed, yet faster way to have a happy Halloween.
Trunk-or-Treat History
While its exact start date is unknown, trunk-or-treating may have begun in the early 1990s. Churches would host the event to bring members together and offer kids a fun way to mark the holiday, load up on candy, and play games. Over time (particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic), trunk-or-treating has become more popular among many community organizations.
How to Organize a Trunk or Treat
Planning a trunk-or-treat event in your neighborhood is simple. Follow these steps for an event that’s slightly spooky and full of thrills:
1. Pick out a location.
Parking lots are the perfect place for trunk or treating. Make sure there’s enough space for cars to park and visitors to walk. There also needs to be access to restrooms and trash cans.
2. Set the date.
Trunk-or-treat is a Halloween event, but that doesn’t mean it has to happen on October 31. Especially when the autumn holiday falls on a weekday, consider hosting the festivities the weekend before for increased attendance.
3. Plan the details.
Is your trunk-or-treat event invite-only? Will candy be provided, or do cars need to bring their own supply? How many cars will be handing out candy? What fall activities will occur? Don’t skimp on the details. They’ll make everything more enjoyable!
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4. Get volunteers.
Trunk-or-treating is a true community gathering. Get help from those around you to get things done, from set-up to tear-down and everything in between. Send an email or post a notice in a shared space asking for people to lend a hand.
5. Spread the word.
In-person or on social media, inform everyone about the time, date, and location of your trunk-or-treat party. The more you promote it, the better the turnout will be.
Trunk-or-Treat Decorations
Go the extra mile and decorate your car’s trunk for the occasion. Trunk-or-treat organizers can even hold a contest for the best-decorated trunk to raise the stakes. Here are our top tips if you want to win:
- Think of a theme. Trunk-or-treat decorations are much more than scary skeletons and spooky ghosts. With so many younger kids participating, think about designing your trunk around an unexpected theme, like a spaceship or beach.
- Incorporate an interactive element. Give your guests something they can touch to get a feel of your festivities. For example, if you go with a beach theme, you can offer your visitors the chance to hula hoop for extra candy.
- Keep costumes in mind. If you’re giving out candy, dress up to match the look and feel of your trunk. The more you immerse yourself in the celebration, the more entertaining it will be.
- Beware of your budget. Deck out your trunk with affordable decorations. Look online for budget-friendly decorating ideas and get creative with what you have around the house to keep costs low.
Trunk-or-Treat Ideas
There are hundreds of ways to decorate the rear of your car. Here are just a few of our favorite trunk-or-treat ideas:
- The Mummy: All you need for this is toilet paper and big googly eyes. TP your trunk, stick the eyes on the top of your hood, and voila--your guests will be staring into the eyes of a mummy.
- The Dinosaur Cage: Use an inflatable dinosaur, foliage, and caution tape or string to simulate a scene right out of Jurassic Park. Just make sure the dino doesn’t get loose!
- The Walk-In Movie: Replace your usual Halloween handouts with movie theater candy and give guests popcorn while you play a movie or Halloween special on a TV or laptop.
- The Fan Favorite: Represent your favorite sports or football team by covering your car in merchandise and handing out candy that matches team colors.
- The Arcade: Challenge your visitors to games like Connect Four and Tic-Tac-Toe before they get a candy prize.
More Halloween How-Tos
Trunk-or-treat celebrations are a great way to enjoy spooky season, but there’s still more fun to be had! Read “6 Pumpkin-Carving Tips for Halloween” to learn how to carve the perfect jack-o'-lantern in a few easy steps!
Trunk-or-Treat FAQs
How does trunk-or-treat work?
Community members often volunteer to hand out candy from the back of their cars during a trunk-or-treat event. Trunks are often decorated and follow a theme, with kids arriving in costumes to get their candy and enjoy additional games and activities.
Why is it called trunk-or-treat?
Trunk-or-treat is a play on the term "trick-or-treat," changing the phrase to address how candy is distributed from the trunks of cars participating in the event.
How to have a successful trunk-or-treat?
To hold a successful trunk or treat event, consider the following:
- Your location
- The date and time of the event
- How the event will be structured
- Volunteers
- Event promotion