Are you looking for some fun new ways to celebrate Halloween with your kids
this year? How about a neighborhood contest? Costume contests are just one
of the many options to get everyone in the spirit. So read on to see if one
of these wicked ideas grabs you.
- Craziest costume
– Pass out fliers inviting all the neighborhood kids to meet at your house
an hour before trick-or-treating begins. Give everyone a name tag when they
arrive. Then each child and adult can fill out a voting slip. Include best
costume, scariest, funniest, most creative and more. Hand out a special
prize to the winners of each category. And don’t forget a small consolation
prize for all children who participate. - Most ghoulish yard
– Invite everyone in the neighborhood to join in a decorating contest. You
could have a few categories such as scariest, cutest, silliest and best
overall. Set a decorating deadline for October 21. Provide delivery
instructions on the flier so every house in the neighborhood can vote for
the addresses they like best. Also, mention that neighbors should view all
the houses after October 21 and deliver their votes to you by a specified
date. Ask some of the participating neighbors to help you make up fun
“Scariest House” and other signs. Then post them in the yards of the
winning homes. - Funniest carved pumpkin
– Ask the neighborhood to join you in a carved pumpkin contest. You can
schedule a date and time when everyone will meet with their pumpkins at
your home or a neighborhood park. Suggest that everyone who participates
pitch in $2 per pumpkin for a jackpot. To keep it fair, allow only one
pumpkin per child. Prepare numbered cards in advance so each pumpkin will
have its own number. Then have everyone fill out a voting slip. The carver
of the winning pumpkin gets the jackpot. You could also pass out small
goody bags for all the kids who participate. - Most Fun Halloween game
– Hand out fliers to everyone in the neighborhood or on your street to hold
a Halloween game day. Ask all participating houses to set up a Halloween
kids’ game in their front yard. Participating houses can give out small
prizes such as stickers or treats to each kid who plays their game. Kids
can wander the neighborhood playing the games for the afternoon. When
they’re done, have each child fill out a ballot for the most fun Halloween
game. Then post a fun chilling homemade sign in the yard of the winner. - Scariest scarecrow
– Ask your neighbors to participate in a scariest scarecrow contest. To
keep the scarecrows safe until voting, set a specific day when the
scarecrows should be displayed in everyone’s yards. Have everyone in the
neighborhood, whether they participate by making a scarecrow or not,
hand-deliver their vote to you by the end of the day that the scarecrows
are set out. Then deliver a fun Halloweenish homemade yard sign to the
winning home. - Creepiest food
– Hold a simple neighborhood potluck Halloween party. Each participating
family should be instructed to bring a Halloween-themed food or dessert.
Place a numbered card next to each dish. Then have everyone fill out a
ballot for the cutest, grossest, funniest and scariest food. Once the
winners are announced, take photos of the families next to their creepy
food. Then everyone can dig in and eat the yummy dishes and treats.
