Halloween Tailgating, also known as Trunk or Treat!

A couple weeks ago, I was asked about Halloween for toddlers and when I mentioned Trunk or Treat Events as an amazing option for short little legs and overwhelmed little ones, I got “What is that?” The origins of Trunk or Treat are not clear in the least. However, let me explain how cool they are and, of course, what they are.

Trunk or Treat Events are usually held in a large field or parking lot. People decorate the trunk of their vehicle with themes like Star Wars, haunted mansions, harvest themes and matching family costumes like The Wizard of Oz or My Little Pony. Each decorated trunk can have a little game or just plain old delicious candy. These events are fantastic! When the girls were little we had the creepiest neighbors at the end of our street with a grim reaper who would chase the kids in the street. It was horrible for little ones. I am not saying “don’t have fun,” but chase the preteens and teens and leave the little MacKids alone. Not all kids are watching and tolerating horror movies by four years old. 

The safety of parked cars all lined up and not having children darting through dark streets is a huge bonus. I think we all draw a little comfort in this kind of orchestrated event and our children not knocking on stranger’s doors.

There are several reasons that we love these events. First of al,l we live out in the country, so the trick or treating requires miles and miles of walking to get 5 treats. So, we would have to select an unknown neighborhood which is the exact opposite of what Trick or Treating used to be. You used to go to neighbors houses and laugh about the types of candy you would get each year (popcorn balls made by unknown hygiene conditions…eek!). Secondly, it is completely intimidating to go up to stranger’s doors when we have been drilling “stranger danger” into their cute little heads. Next, little bitty legs cannot walk far before they get completely pooped and you have to carry them. This results in less candy for parents to sneak while children are in bed later that evening, not fair when you paid for a costume or poured your creativity into one! Next, on weeknights you can get done a little earlier so that MacKids are less cranky the next day. Also, if you have those MacKids that are just a little too cool to be with you, you at least have an opportunity to give them some leeway to walk around with friends without coming home in a squad car because their friends decided to do something a little mischievous. Finally, the city Trunk or Treats usually have first responders to keep the mischief to a minimum.