Hey, there mama friend!

So it’s October, and for most families, that means getting excited about Halloween. But not all families celebrate Halloween or at least are not as into it as others.  In light of this, I will be sharing with you some awesome alternative Halloween activities that will leave you and your kids just as happy and sugar-induced as any ‘traditional” Halloween activity.

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Alternative Halloween Activities 

My family and I have never really celebrated Halloween. I have never really been comfortable with the idea of Halloween, there’s just something icky about it for me personally, although my son absolutely loves it, but of course, he does, he’s a kid!

I do not see the appeal of putting up ugly, scary-looking decorations, having blood on things, chopped-up body parts, and ghosts, etc. These things are all too real in our world and the influences are just too much.  But since it is such a huge holiday and we can’t keep our little ones from being exposed to the ideas of it, finding other ways to celebrate the season and have some fun with snacks and costumes or other exciting things is a great way to go. Here is my list of the best alternative activities to do instead of a traditional Halloween.

• Harvest Party

  – This is my personal favorite, as you can invite your friends and family, have some good food, delicious desserts and decorate with pretty fall flowers and enjoy the crisp weather together. You can always do costumes too if you want!

  Make them more fun, and less spooky and gruesome.  When I was growing up, our community had a Hoe Down at a friend’s family ranch, we had warm apple cider, a bonfire, and great food and fellowship.

It was a great way to spend an October evening. Some of the little kids would come in costume, usually Bible characters or simple things like a cowgirl, or a fireman. We had music and sometimes games like bobbing for apples, or pumpkin bowling.

You can get super creative and have lots of fun with something like a Harvest party. If you’re not up to hosting, take a look in your community and see if there is one you can attend!

• Pumpkin Carving Contest

  –  This is a fun idea if your kids love carving pumpkins! Last year was our first year ever carving a pumpkin and it didn’t turn out very well, but hey, we tried! Turn it into an event by inviting your favorite people, having some coffee, cider, pie, and have everyone carve their own pumpkins and hold a contest! It’s sure to be a blast!

• Corn Maze & Hay Rides

  – One of the best things about fall is the simple things that bring joy to both us moms and kids. Going on a nice hayride or getting lost in a corn maze are classic fall activities that you can enjoy anytime in October or November. Places like pumpkin patches offer such adventures or you could really go all out and create ones yourself in your own backyard! That’s bound to impress your peeps!

My nephew just started doing this last year, since he now lives on a ranch with lots of animals. He opens up their property to family and friends and has the kids feed and pet their animals, gives everyone a hayride, and even builds some kind of maze or other activity. It’s so much fun and is perfect for us!

• Church Events

  – Most churches usually offer some type of alternative Halloween event for local families.  Whether it be Trunk or Treats, or a harvest dinner, there is usually something fun to go do at your local church. Check it out and see what they will be up to this year!

• DIY Escape Room

  – Have you ever heard of or been to an escape room? Do you or your kids enjoy thrills, puzzles, and being tested on the clock? Then this might be the perfect activity for you!

  It may take some time and materials to put together, but with a little hard work and creativity you will end up with a really fun original way to get scared on Halloween that doesn’t involve anything creepy or dead! My friends and I are actually putting one together for their church’s youth group! So exciting!

If you don’t know what you need or know where to begin when tackling a project like this, Pinterest becomes your new BFF! There are kits you can buy and put together, or you can start from scratch with a few sheets, maybe a wood board or two, props, lights, and your own imagination.

• Just For The Kids

  – If you’re a tired mama and not really feeling like getting too involved then just keeping things simple might be best. Letting your kids have a small sleepover where you let them eat lots of sugar, letting their imaginations go wild by having them build their own candy pizza, watch a fun movie and do fall-related arts and crafts!

  Take a walk outside and collect pinecones, leaves, twigs, and whatever else they fancy and just let them have fun.  Make a wreath for the front door or let them come up with some ideas. You can always find some fun fall activities. Or, just have a simple night at home with some friends having some good old-fashioned fall fun.

If you are on the lookout for costumes because your little ones just can’t do this time of year without them, then you have got to check out this site! Click here

Inspired yet? I hope so! Now go have yourself a fun and fabulous fall!

Oh, and before you go, if you scroll through my blog you will see I have been awarded one of the top 50 mom blog spots from http://www.feedspot.com! I’m so honored and excited! Check out the site and support us, mama bloggers! Don’t forget to subscribe for more great content like this and to score some freebies! 

Love, Jess XO