Looking for some fun new ways to celebrate Halloween with your kids this year? How about neighborhood contests? Get everyone in the Halloween spirit.
Costume Contest – 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. Have everyone choose the Best Costume, Scariest Costume, Funniest Costume and Most Creative Costume. Give prizes to the winners in each category and don't forget a small consolation prize for all children who participate.
Most Ghoulish Yard Contest – Pass out fliers to invite everyone in the neighborhood to join in a Halloween decorating contest and ask them to vote for the best decorated house or yard in the neighborhood. Ask each neighbor to view each house and vote by the deadline date. Provide delivery instructions on the flier so every house in the neighborhood can vote for the addresses they like best and so every vote will count. Post a sign in the yard at the winning home.
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 a location in your neighborhood. Allow each child to enter one pumpkin. Place numbered cards in front of each pumpkin and ask every child and adult to vote for the best pumpkin. Give a prize to the top three best pumpkins. You can also pass out small goody bags for all the kids who participate.
Creepiest food – Hold a simple neighborhood potluck Halloween party. Invite participating families to bring 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 top three 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.