5 Fun and Faith-Filled Alternatives to Traditional Halloween Celebrations

5 Fun and Faith-Filled Alternatives to Traditional Halloween Celebrations

The day and time in which we live have left many parents feeling wary and even anxious about letting their kids participate in trick-or-treating. They just feel it's not as safe as it used to be. There are also some parents who would prefer to avoid traditional Halloween celebrations altogether. The visuals of scary skeletons, graveyards bathed in eerie lighting, creepy yard decorations, ugly, wicked creatures, and spooky noises are interpreted by some as symbols of death, wickedness, demonic activity, and hell. So, they prefer to find a more positive focus for the fall season and God's blessings. 

An informal USA Today poll found that trick-or-treating may be on the decline. Another poll cited by ReviseSociology, which was a bit more formal (and older), found that there has been a fairly long-term trend of fewer Americans handing out candy on Halloween. 

Trying to ignore Halloween altogether may not go over well with most kids. However, offering an alternative that's fun for them and makes parents feel that their kids will be safe while still upholding the values that parents want to instill in their kids is usually a nice combo. 

For parents who prefer alternatives to trick-or-treating or Halloween, here are 5 fun, faith-filled alternatives to traditional Halloween celebrations.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/svetikd

  • Chuck E. Cheese Family Game Night

    1. Check Out Chuck E. Cheese

    As a restaurant that is pretty much all things kids, many Chuck E. Cheese locations have an entertainment event from September 30 through October 31. Some of the perks include free E-Tickets, free candy each night, haunted house dance parties, pumpkin-shaped pizza, and more, according to GlobalNewsWire. 

    "We know that kids love the Halloween season, and we've made it more affordable for families to visit all month long," Mark Kupferman, Executive Vice President of Chuck E. Cheese, told GlobalNewsWire. "Every child in costume gets 500 bonus E-Tickets on every visit, Fun Pass holders get unlimited visits and up to 250 Play Points on the Gold pass, and parents can feel safe because we've tailored this experience just for them. With our new membership, families can visit Chuck E. Cheese year-round for as little as $7.99 a month."

    To give this idea a bit of a faith-based focus, encourage kids to pick their favorite Bible character and help them create a costume that represents that character. 

    Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Chuck E. Cheese

  • woman handing out halloween candy at trick or treat to kids

    2. Candy Treasure Hunt

    This could be an indoor game or an outdoor game, depending on the weather, though it does require a bit of creativity. One or both parents can hide small, colorful bags of candy in 2-4 rooms in the house (or various places in the yard). Parents then write clues on a piece of paper that hints at where the bags are hidden. There could be up to three clues for each bag of candy. Read clues for the corresponding bag, and then have one child at a time take a guess at where the candy is hidden. Let each child guess until someone guesses correctly, so the candy is basically found by processes of elimination. 

    Whoever guesses a clue correctly gets the small bag of candy. If no one guesses correctly, then one of the parents can divide that bag up among everyone. (If desired, one or two pieces of candy could be held in reserve as a type of consolation prize to prevent anyone from not getting any candy at all.)  The evening could be finished out with hot chocolate and a movie with a faith-based focus (or more than one movie if desired). Something like Veggie Tales, Overcomer, The Forge, God's Not Dead, or whatever best fits the ages of the kids and, ideally, is something on which everyone can agree. 

    Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/kali9

  • Laser Tag

    3. Laser Tag

    Laser Tag can be a fun alternative to trick-or-treating for older kids. Many laser tag companies run Halloween specials. In many cases, there are various theme nights that run through the month of October. Some companies even encourage people to dress up in a costume as part of the fun. This is another situation in which a favorite Bible character could be chosen, and a corresponding costume is created. 

    Another possibility is to dress up like an army of knights. Then, before leaving, have the family take a moment to read together from Ephesians 6:10-20, which is about the full armor of God. Since they didn't have lasers when Ephesians was written, Paul talks about the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. Ask each person to recite their favorite Bible verse or name their favorite Bible story, and explain why that's their favorite.   

    Photo Credit: ©Canva Pro

  • Glow in dark mini golf

    4. Glow-In-The-Dark Miniature Golf

    For something fun and different and perhaps thematic, consider glow-in-the-dark miniature golf. There are several places across the nation that are possibilities. MonsterMiniGolf is a franchise in several different states. However, there are also local options. If doing a general Google search for something nearby, "black light mini golf" will also bring up local options. 

    To put a faith-based spin on this, have the family sit down together before going to the miniature golf course and read from John 14:1-6, highlighting that Jesus is the way, truth, and life. Ask each person to name one or two thoughts on something that represents a sign of life. For additional direction in regard to what could represent a sign of life, watch the old Steven Curtis Chapman music video together, "Signs of Life."

    Photo Credit: ©Facebook/Putting Edge

  • mother and daughter getting pumpkins at pumpkin patch

    5. Pumpkins as Witnessing Tools

    In the days leading up to Halloween, have the family sit down and brainstorm ideas for Biblically themed designs that could be painted or carved on pumpkins. Drawing on a pumpkin with Sharpies is also an option. The pumpkin just needs to be clean and dry for the Sharpie to work. There are Christian stencils and pumpkin carving kits that can be purchased through Amazon. Hobby Lobby also has Christian stencils. 

    Another option is to write out a scripture verse on pumpkins with a Sharpie. 

    A few verses include:

    • Romans 10:13, "For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
    • Psalm 27:1, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? 
    • Maybe set two or three pumpkins together and write Ephesians 2:8-9:  "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."

    Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Images By Tang Ming Tung

    Elizabeth Delaney Author HeadshotElizabeth Delaney has been a freelance content writer for over 20 years and has enjoyed having her prose published in both the non-fiction and fiction markets. She has written various types of content, including Christian articles, healthy lifestyle, blog posts, business topics, news articles, product descriptions, and some fiction. She is also a singer-songwriter-musician. When she is not busy with writing or music, she enjoys spending time with friends or family and doing fun social activities such as hiking, swing dancing, concerts, and other activities.