The Trick-or-Treat at Home Party: Halloween Fun for Tweens
A trick-or-treat at home party is perfect for tweens who feel too “grown up” to go trick-or-treating! Image credit: Daisies in Clover
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Once kids hit junior high, they can sometimes have mixed feelings about Halloween, from dressing up to going trick-or-treating with friends. This is really just due to them feeling a little too old for what they see as maybe “little kid” activities, and it can sometimes be a result of other kids in their class talking about being too “cool” or too “old” for Halloween.
That doesn’t mean kids have to ditch the whole holiday. A “trick-or-treat” at home party can be just the thing for kids in middle school (or high school freshmen too). This idea preserves the fun of getting candy, but without the *gasp* idea of being seen in public wearing costumes. It’s a simple concept; kids bring candy to trade and the host (you) sets up a candy bar with lots of different treats. Kids come to one house and stock up on the treats they love.
It’s a casual party with no strict activity structure, so it feels more like a hang with a theme. Here are all the details on how to set it up and how to make everything feel like a Halloween event tailored just for your tweens.
Make the Candy Buffet the Centerpiece of the Night
The key to the “trick or treat at home” party is to make it feel like the kids are still moving around and stocking up on sweets. Setting up a spooky display brings a little of the Halloween magic they love to the party (because they do secretly want a little bit of that fun).
Large plastic cauldrons are great for the setup, and you can also use “mad scientist” flasks and beakers too. A bit of dry ice strategically placed on the candy buffet also helps to set the scene. If you’re planning on putting out bulk candies (like sour cherry balls or gummy worms), be sure to have some scoops available too.
Use Apothecary Jars for Bulk Candies
Apothecary jars add an instant Halloween vibe! Plus, purchasing candy in bulk can be a money-saver too. Here are some candies to consider for the jars:
Gummy sharks
M&Ms
Gumballs
Gummy worms
Candy corn (controversial pick for some, but kids may still like them)
Skittles
Remember that the party guests will also bring bags of candy too, so leave some bowls/cauldrons empty. Guests can fill a bowl with the treats they bring in after they arrive.
You can encourage the guests to bring their trick-or-treat bags if they want to, but another option is to simply have Halloween-themed treat bags or boxes available at the candy buffet.
Once everyone has arrived, let everyone loose at the candy buffet and let everyone grab their favorite candies!
Costumes Are Optional
This might be the second most important consideration (after deciding which candies to stock the buffet with). Some kids still love the idea of dressing up, even if they don’t want to be seen in the neighborhood. Others feel too grown up for Halloween costumes. Let your tween decide how they want the party to go. If they want it to be a costumed event, great. If they don’t, no worries (and no pressure from you either). The goal of the party is to make everyone feel comfortable while still celebrating a holiday they aren’t quite ready to let go of yet.
Make it a Scary Movie Night
Filling candy bags won’t take long… maybe 15 minutes at most. So, what does everyone do after they’ve filled their bags with candy? A scary movie is the perfect companion to the candy buffet. It’s not a structured activity like a craft, and you’ve already got snacks covered. Talk to your tween about which movie (or movies, because you can totally make this a double feature) will go over best with their friends.
The kids will be in the 11-14 age range, so keeping ratings in mind will be important to parents. Classic 1950s horror movies are always a great choice, as long as everyone’s willing to look past the black and white of it all. Classic 80s flicks, like Gremlins, can be great too.
Serve Up Some Spooky Potions
If you want to add another element to the party that feels both magical and a little more geared toward older kids, having some spooky potion-style drinks adds the perfect finishing touch to the party. Bright green Hawaiian Punch served with some gummy eyeballs floating in the glass is one simple option, but you can also get creative with pairing sparkling water or sprite with colorful juices to create Halloween-themed beverages for the party guests. Have fun with garnishes, like gummy worms or Sour Patch kids too. You can even buy plastic beakers and flasks to serve up all your spooky potions!
Why a Trick-or-Treat at Home Party Works So Well for Tweens
Middle schoolers are at that awkward phase in life. They’re too big to be little kids, but they’re too young to be teenagers. They’re still trying to figure out where they fit in. Some tweens still play with toys, while others are excited to leave those things behind. Halloween represents the perfect inner struggle; do they dress up for fun and go door-to-door looking for candy? Or, do they sit out the fun but maintain their new, more grown up identity? A trick-or-treat at-home party lets them have fun with friends in a new way. It gives them permission to still indulge in sweets (and costumes, if they like), without feeling like they’re still little kids.
A Quick Note About Other Age Groups
This party idea can be adapted for other age groups too. It’s a great option for families who live in apartments or rural areas, both of which might not have as many trick-or-treating opportunities for kids. Swap out the horror movie for a kid-friendly Halloween film and add in some healthier options to the treat bar (such as fruit cups with googly eyes added for a spookier look).
Candy, movies, and spending time with friends are universal. We still love all those things as adults, and our tweens can carve out a space for themselves that allows them to enjoy Halloween without feeling judged.
