If you’re hitting the road with the family in tow, you’ve probably wondered about October 31. There’s a certain twinge of parental guilt that rides on the tails of holidays away from home. Child-centered holidays, like Halloween, have a special way of extracting that guilt. How exactly can you capture the atmosphere and excitement of Halloween when you’re on the go? (And, for your kids’ sake, how can you score great candy?) No need to worry. I have traveled with my husband and two young children for over a year. And in that time we’ve spent every holiday away from home. It’s all turned out beautifully, including our ventures with campground trick-or-treating.
Halloween is a great time for RV kids. There are the tricks and the treats. The frights and delights. The entire landscape is transforming — and for one magical night, so are the people. And, of course, there’s the candy. (Perhaps too much candy.)
But like most things, the magic doesn’t come unbidden. A few things should be considered before heading to a campground at Halloween. So, here are some ways to go the extra mile to make sure your kids get to enjoy the magic of campground trick-or-treating this Halloween.
Tricks to Master Campground Trick-or-Treating
Pick Out a Halloween-Friendly Spot
Before you book your reservation at a campground over Halloween, contact the camp host or campground manager. Ask them if they host or participate in Halloween events. Many private campgrounds have organized events around Halloween, including activities for adults too. And if you’re in a campground for an extended period, and no one is showing off their Halloween flair, you can even start the trend! Carve pumpkins and decorate your site, and see if there are other families with kiddos that want to carve pumpkins with you! Nothing sets the mood for Halloween like a pumpkin-carving party.
Make a Trick-or-Treat Station
Setting up a trick-or-treat station at a campground will help to cut down on traffic around the RVs, while advertising your goodie distribution site. You can also decorate your station for added flavor and Halloween flair. If the campground is small, try using the parking lot for a festival-type approach if the campground is amenable to it!
Dress Up Your Rig!
The best way to find your people is to advertise your cause. Decorate your rig! You can carve pumpkins, set out some spooky lights, and express yourself! There are countless DIY ideas for RV Halloween costumes. If you’re on the road with your kids, or even just out for an extended weekend, then you probably know the benefits of craft time in the RV. Why not channel that into a Halloween craft-making party? (More on that in a minute.)
As with any DIY, safety comes first. Try to use battery-operated lights if possible. Avoid live flames. And avoid chaining extension cords. For example, I prefer using tea lights instead of candles inside a jack-o’-lantern. (Plus, they are a lot easier to install and light!)
If Halloween sneaks up on you (like it does to me every year), you may need to think outside the box for those last-minute costume and decoration ideas. If you can’t find a store that specializes in crafts and costumes or caters to the, uh, specter of the season, why not try a dollar store or a thrift store?
If you are on the road and want to have something delivered but don’t have an address, don’t forget about the Postal Service’s general delivery service. General delivery allows anyone to receive mail at a participating post office, regardless of their permanent address. (Or even if they don’t have a permanent address at all.) It’s similar to a post office box but without all the setup. Simply call the nearest post office or check online and see if they offer that service.
Bring the Fun to You!
Having traveled extensively in an RV, I can tell you first-hand that there aren’t always other kids at campgrounds. If this is the case at your campground, then bring the fun to you! Get on a local social media page – for example, mommy pages or homeschooling groups – and invite some kids to come to you! I’m sure families would love to shake things up a bit and take their Halloween adventures somewhere new. If you can get your fellow campers to agree to hand out some candy, and recruit some local kids to come to your campground, you will have officially succeeded in conquering the holidays with your kids on the road!
And What to Do with All Those Treats!
Another Character Who Must Be Fed
In our family, we receive regular visitations from all of the usual holiday characters: Santa Clause, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy. But we have another fantastical individual that makes a sneaky appearance late on Halloween. Meet, the Candy Tax Man. HIt may sound awful, but he comes in the wee hours of the night. And he takes his dues. Mercifully, he leaves a little candy left over (and maybe a drawing or a silly note), but generally speaking, he takes a good chunk of the spoils.
Before you start imagining the rage (like the joy we get from Jimmy Kimmel’s annual Halloween prank), know this: Our kids get thrills from the Candy Tax Man’s shenanigans. Even if all he leaves is a note in exchange for three-quarters of their candy, they still love it. Whether it’s for you or not, this is just an idea. You know, in case you feel that feel multiple pillow cases full of candy are a doctor’s and dentist’s worst nightmare. (Not to mention it’s a great and silly way to introduce fiscal responsibility to young kids.)
Also, You Can Opt for Toys Instead
What’s better than a delicious crunchy bar of sweet goodness dipped in chocolate? Well, toys of course! If you’re on the road with your kids, or even just out for an extended weekend, then you probably know the benefits of craft time in the RV. Imaginations soar and creativity abounds when kids spend more time outdoors. Why not channel that into a Halloween craft/toy making party? If you want to add some alternatives to kids’ trick or treat buckets, make it a whole event. The kids can make toys and hand them out as trick or treats.
Further, this kind of activity will inspire your children’s curiosity and imagination, while instilling resourcefulness and the gift of giving. There’s nothing to set that wondrous spark aglow in a child’s eye, than a handmade object from another child. And if crafting a handmade toy for all the neighborhood campground trick or treaters feels like a stretch, there are so many other alternatives like stickers, glow sticks, puzzles, or pretty much anything in the party favor aisle of Target will do at a low cost.
The main thing is to have fun while campground trick-or-treating. If you and your RV kids achieve that, it’s a real treat.
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