Several years ago fall season was upon us, and I found myself with a toddler and a baby, working full-time, and I was feeling the pressure (mainly self-induced) to make adorable family-themed costumes, and take my crew trick or treating on a weeknight.
Although I never let my kids know it, I had no interest in trick or treating when I had to be at work before 7AM, never mind dropping them off at daycare first. Oh, and not to mention the task of keeping them away from traffic and out of people’s lawns. Looking back it seems silly, but for a sleep deprived mom, the angst was real.
So when a coworker mentioned a trunk or treating event, I was thrilled. It was on a weekend, there would be absolutely no cars driving through, and the kids could still go through the trick or treat and costume rituals. It was a win-win! We ended up having a blast at the event, and I still recommend trunk-or-treat events to friends with young children, or those who don’t live somewhere where it’s safe to walk in the dark. (Oh, and I ended up purchasing costumes at a local consignment shop – no family theme necessary!)
If you’re searching for local trunk-or-treats, or alternatives to traditional neighborhood trick or treating, check out this list.
Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market Trunk or Treat
Bring the family for a safe, fun afternoon of fall festivities on Saturday, October 18, from 2:00PM until 4:00PM. There will be candy (of course) handed out by area non-profits, a pet costume contest, a touch a truck area, face painting, and more fun for kids of all ages.
Trick or Treat at Virginia Museum of History and Culture
On Friday, October 25, 5:00PM until 7:00PM, come to VMHC for games, a bouncy house, crafts, and spooky stations both indoors and outside for kids to trick or treat. While the event is free, please register in advance. The RFM Team will be there, too, so be sure to stop by our table and say hi!
Trunk or Treat at Chesterfield Fairgrounds
Although it’s held on a weekday, the Trunk or Treat event at Chesterfield Fairgrounds is safe, as the grounds are enclosed (no cars), and since it’s a week before Halloween, it gives your kids a chance to practice trick or treating (remember your manners, warm up your shy kiddos). This event is also a great opportunity for older children who may want to trick or treat with friends from a different neighborhood to meet here instead. The event will be held October 22 at 6PM.
Belmont Halloween Party
An event appropriate for ages 2-5, Belmont Library will host a Halloween Party for toddlers and Pre-K. There will be dancing, pumpkin decorating, and in house trick-or-treating. Costumes are encouraged. The event is October 28 at 10:30.
Have Funn at Squirrel-O-Ween
The Flying Squirrels Annual Squirrel-O-Ween will be October 25. There will be trick or treating, hay rides, and photo ops with Nutsy and Nutasha.
Kings Dominion Tricks and Treats
Held every weekend through November 3, this event checks all the festive fall boxes, with a focus on Halloween. Dress in costume to walk through the trick or treat trail, where children can get candy from costumed characters. Ticket fees apply.
Better 2gether 5K and Race Fest
While this isn’t a traditional trunk or treat, the race festival at Better 2gether’s Halloween Hustle is impressive. The festival offers allergy-friendly trick or treating that children can do before or after participating in the run to support this local nonprofit. Costumes encouraged! The Halloween Hustle is October 19, registration required.
Trunk or treating offers families with geographic limitations to those with elopers to new, tired caregivers an option for safe Halloween celebrations. Check out our calendar for more Halloween events!
