When it comes to Halloween, some people really embrace the spooky side of things. From haunted houses to horror movies and costumes eerie enough to creep out grown adults, there are lots of ways to embrace the darker, more scary side of the holiday.
But what about those who don’t want to be scared? From kids too young to separate reality from fantasy to adults who just plain don’t love scary stuff, there are plenty of people who prefer a tamer take on Halloween, and there are plenty of ways to make that happen. After all, Halloween doesn’t have to be all about ghosts, ghouls, and goblins. Instead, consider these five not-so-scary ways to celebrate Halloween:
WATCH YOUR FAVORITE FUN HALLOWEEN MOVIE
While Halloween is typically associated with horror movies, that doesn’t have to be the case. There are plenty of Halloween films that definitely fall on the fun, family-friendly side of the spectrum and are perfect for everyone to enjoy. Watching classics like Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Casper, and Halloween Town can be a great way to celebrate the season without scaring yourself—or your kids!
MAKE SOME HALLOWEEN-INSPIRED CRAFTS
If you’re feeling creative, there are tons of crafts you can make—alone or as a family—to celebrate the season. A quick Google search reveals dozens of options for kid-friendly crafts, from paper plate spiders to pumpkin tic-tac-toe.
Not all Halloween crafts are geared toward kids. Grown-ups can have a blast making candy corn wreaths, Halloween luminaries, and pumpkin topiaries. Display your crafts for the season to give your home an extra touch.
BAKE SOME HALLOWEEN COOKIES
Who says holiday cookies can only be a Christmas thing? Roll up your sleeves and have some fun in the kitchen, making Halloween cookies. Grab some cutters from a local craft shop to shape your cookies like ghosts, skeletons, pumpkins, and bats, or use icing and edible add-ons to decorate the tops to suit the season.
CREATE YOUR OWN COSTUMES
Getting to dress up in costume is one of the best parts of Halloween, and it doesn’t have to be scary—it’s only scary if you choose a spooky costume! Plenty of costumes, from princesses to puppies, aren’t scary at all. Determine what you’d like to be, then spend some time tracking down the different components you need to create the perfect costume.
OPT FOR A TRUNK-OR-TREAT
Trick-or-treating can be a ton of fun, but if your child is easily spooked, they may not enjoy the experience. You never know who’s going to try to scare you, and it’s hard to avoid it when you’re out in public, trick-or-treating on the street. For a safer, scare-free experience, look for a local trunk-or-treat. These events are typically coordinated by schools and churches, and they invite kids to trick-or-treat in a well-lit parking lot, creating a safe and enjoyable experience.
As you can see, you don’t have to embrace the scary side of Halloween if you don’t want to. There are plenty of ways to have a blast and enjoy the season without getting scared—or scaring others!
