Halloween Night Alternative

I found a flyer at my 2.5 year old's daycare center about a Halloween Alternative at The Fairmont Assisted Living Facility located at 9852 Fairmont Ave. in Manassas. Phone Number: ###-###-####.

It is a Halloween Safe House, where little ones can trick or treat, lot of doors to knock on and a costume parade and contest. It's on 10/31 from 6:45pm to 8:00pm.

This is the first time I've seen this, but I may seriously consider taking my lil man there this year. I think the elderly residents would appreciate seeing all the kids dressed up and company for the evening too.

there is trunk o treat at Fair Oaks Church on West Ox Rdin Fairfax VA opened to the public. It's well organized church event for the family. I took my son several times and it wa great. http://www.fairoakschurch.org/index2.html

My husbadnd and I work too late to be able to take the kids treating so we do alternatives also. This weekend we are heading to the Air and Space Museum on Rt 28 for an Air & Scare indoor halloween fun time for kids. They decorate the museum and have stations set up where kids can do activities and get candy.
If you wanted to drive a bit further you can go to the DC Zoo or the Baltimore Zoo for a 'Boo at the Zoo'. They can see the animals and also have areas for activities.
Both of these activities are this weekend only (museum is sat, the zoo is sat and sun)

If she is willing to take her child out to Leesburg, there is a church I know of that advertises a pretty fun looking party. We are taking my daughter this year, but have never been there before. The address is:

http://www.cornerstonechapel.net/pdf/HallelujahPartyWeb.pdf

main website: http://www.cornerstonechapel.net/

Most malls have trick or treating. I know Manassas Mall does, and I'm pretty sure Fair Oaks does it. They are well lit, and it's mostly little kids. Also, check nearby churches. A lot of times they will do things for the kids.

Hi E.,
My church, Emmanuel Baptist Church on Centreville Rd. in Manassas, hosts a Harvest Festival each year on Halloween as a family friendly alternative. Its held in the school gym or Family Life Center.

Here is the info: http://www.ebcnva.org/
Harvest Festival 2008
The Harvest Festival is designed to celebrate Autumn and provide a safe, fun place for any child through the 6th grade. Come and join the excitement of midway games, prizes, and candy. Friday, October 31st at 6:30 pm in the Family Life Center.

Admission: Per Child – One bag of “individually wrapped” candy
Per Adult – One Food Closet Item (complete pancake mix, breakfast cereal, soup, etc.)

Its lots of fun. the lights are kept on, etc.
M.

Hi E.,
At Alvey Elementary school in Haymarket they have "Trunk or Treat". It is some church that the members decorate their cars and you walk throughout the parking lot. VERY kids friendly. There are usually fire trucks, blow up bounces, and free hot dogs and soda. It is on October 26th. It gets really busy so show up around 4:30. We have gone for the past 2 years and enjoy it.

See if there is a Gymboree or someplace like that near your home. They might be hosting a party. There's a place here in Falls Church called Monkey Business that is having a party with no scary costumes allowed. Whatever you do, have fun!

Leesburg Outlet Mall gives out candy to trick or treaters that afternoon. You would have to check out site for more information and only saw a handful of kids/moms there last year - seems like it started pretty early too to avoid the dark. Also, Reston has a Halloween activities thing this week and next for kids 5 and under and 5 and over. Kids wear costumes but it is more about activities and a nature walk. I guess kids bring flash lights etc. Haven't been before but heard great things and have it on our calendar for this Wednesday. I think you can go to www.reston.org to get information. Plus the radio station I listen to advertizes a ton of stuff in the community. Try www.wgts919.com. Most of that is alternatives to the traditional neighborhood trick or treat - like church stuff, etc.

It's on different nights, but if your little one still wants to dress up, you should try "Boo at the Zoo" at the National Zoo. It's not scary and you can see the animals--especially good for seeing the nocturnal ones that sleep during the day when the zoo is usually open. Also, many churches have "harvest parties". You might want to try one of those and have a quiet evening in on the real Halloween. Good luck!

Fair Oaks Church on West Ox Road in Fairfax does an event we call Trunk or Treat. The back parking lot gets set up like a carnival with food and inflatables and members of the church dress up and decorate their cars and fill the trunks with candy. Then the kids who come go around trick or treating at each car (hence trunk or treat). It is a ton of fun. There is a haunted house in the church building that the highschoolers run but that is the only scary part. So avoid that and they should have a great time. You can get more information at the church's website www.fairoakschurch.org

The church-sponsored, non-scary "trunk-or-treats" that people have mentioned are very good alternatives.

Also, the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center (the branch near Dulles Airport, not in D.C.) holds an "Air and Scare" trick-or-treat party inside the museum on Sat., Oct. 25, starting at 4 p.m. I haven't been and don't know how scary it is but probably it's not too scary--I hear there are adults who go around in "Star Wars" costumes and the kids get to get candy at different stations. Great if a kid is into airplanes, of which there are a LOT at that site. The event is free, I'm told, but you may have to pay for parking, which can be stiff there.

The "Boo at the Zoo" gets rave reviews as someone mentioned but be aware that it requires paid tickets -- you can't just turn up -- and those tickets often sell out well in advance, so check their web site or call now if you're interested.

Another word of advice to anyone whose kid is scared easily -- I have been distressed to see craft stores (yes, Michaels, I mean you) displaying realistic, life-sized "murdered bride" figures of a wedding-dress-clad, headless dummy holding her own quite gory severed head. This was not tucked away but was right by the entrance of the Vienna Michaels and unavoidable as you came into the store. A couple of other parents have mentioned it to me too as something they thought was far too gross and realistic to encounter when just walking into a craft store with your little kids along. Tell your friend to be aware of this kind of thing if her son scares easily. I've even seen "severed heads" with lots of realistic bones, blood, etc. sitting on eye-level shelves in drugstores. No thought for younger kids at all. Sorry to get off the topic, I just want folks to know this crud is out there where you might encounter it without expecting it as you might at party store.

E.:

I'm so sorry to hear that your friend's son had problems with Halloween.

Is this the first time your kids will be Halloweening? Reason I ask is they are 3 and 5 - it seems that they would've been out and about already. I don't know why your friend's son had nightmares - there have been some scary costumes, but those are usually adults and not kids. Most kids have been doing Power Rangers, Indiana Jones, etc. Don't let a friend's experience scare you away from a fun time for your family.

Reston Bible Church does a GREAT Trunk-or-Treating. They are located on North Shore Drive and Wiehle Avenue in Reston. If you come in from the Toll Road, exit Wiehle Avenue go to the first North Shore (5th stop light) and go LEFT. Park on the street (I'm sure there will be a lot of cars!) and have FUN! Food is served as well as a great time for the kids (and adults too!)

Again, don't let someone else's experience stop you from having a great time - EVER. If you are nervous your kids will pick up on it and it will stress them out. Make this about them and all will be well!

E.,
I don't know if you are by McLean Bible Church, but I would check to see if they do a Trunk or Treat. I am in Woodbridge and we have a medium sized church(Good Shepherd United Methodist) w/a great night of activities planned on the 25th... I know First Baptist of Woodbridge does their Trunk or Treat on Halloween night. I've gone the last 2 years and have had a great time w/my 4yr old and my husband! Good luck!