Trick-or-Treat Manners

Updated 10/29/24

Halloween - that fun and spooky time of the year when kids don costumes and venture out into their neighborhoods to trick-or-treat. Our family loves to get into the festivities with costumes and spooky decorations sprinkled around the house and yard.

Kids may want to dress in eery costumes, but their manners should be anything but scary. So, as your kids head out for an evening of great fun and sweet treats, there a few manners they can keep in mind to be their best selves. Check out these 8 spook-tacular tips:

1. Polite words for the win! Remember to say "please" and "thank you." Kids are often bursting with excitement as they arrive to a door and may forget to use their polite words. I totally get it. A simple reminder in advance may help keep these special words more top of mind.
   

2. Take only one piece of candy, unless more is offered If you've ever handed out candy, then you've likely seen a trick-or-treater or two who grabbed a huge fistful of candy. Doing so may mean there won't be enough for other children who have yet to visit.
   

3. Grab a candy on the top No digging through the candy endlessly to find the perfect selection. Just grab and go.
   

4. Be kind and take turns Remember not to push and shove other kids to be the first to get candy. When everyone takes turns, everyone wins.
   

5. Refrain from the complain No complaining if you don't like what you're being given. Simply say "thank you."
   

6. Look for the lights If a home's exterior lights are not turned on it's best to skip it as the homeowners may be signaling they are not giving out candy.
   

7. Hold on to wrappers Kids often begin eating candy as they are prance around the neighborhood going door to door. Wrappers strewn here, there and everywhere are no fun for someone else to clean up the next day. Kids should be reminded to hold on to empty candy wrappers until they can throw them away properly.
   

8. Mind the yard, flower beds and decor Use the driveway, sidewalk and other paved surfaces rather than walking through someone's yard and flower beds to trick-0r-treat. Be respectful of others' Halloween decorations. Remind little ones that decorations are like artwork — they’re meant to be looked at, not touched. This keeps the decorations in good shape for everyone else to enjoy and helps avoid accidental damage.
   

I'd love to hear from you! What manners do you instill in your children as they trick-or-treat OR what manners do you love to see from those trick-or-treating at your door?