Halloween is a great holiday for thrifty families. While it is certainly possible to spend hundreds of dollars decorating and dressing up, it’s also relatively easy to fully enjoy the holiday without spending anything.

FREE CANDY
When it comes to free handouts, Halloween definitely has it covered! Trick or treating is perhaps every child’s favorite festive activity. And it’s free!
But in addition to trick or treating on Halloween night, you can find many other opportunities for similar activities. Trunk or treats have become very popular in the past few years. Similar to trick or treating, but children travel from car to car – trunk to trunk – rather than house to house. Many towns offer their own version of trunk or treat, and some organizations, businesses, and even schools have gotten in on the action. Check out the Events Calendar to find some scheduled trunk or treat events around the state, but be sure to also check with your own town. Some towns will offer events just for their residents. Some of these events will also have other activities to add to the Halloween fun.
EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES
In addition to trunk or treat events, you will find other festive happenings on the Calendar. Games and activities, both light-hearted and spooky, are available for families to enjoy. Not seeing something you like? Check with your local library. Many have Halloween-themed activities to celebrate the holiday.
In addition to activities offered elsewhere, however, you can also partake in festive activities right in your own home. You can enjoy Halloween-themed crafts using items you already have on hand. This list of 100 Halloween Crafts for Kids is a great place to start for simple projects using common items. As a bonus, many of these items can be turned into decorations to make your home ready for Halloween.
Looking for some games? Here are some easy options:
- Printables
- Using Toilet Paper or Streamers
- Other Games
With a little creativity, you can turn items you have on hand into lots of fun activities!
COSTUMES
It just wouldn’t be Halloween without a costume to wear! The easiest way to create a budget-friendly costume is to take a look at clothes your child already has in his closet. Then see what can be turned into a costume by adding just a few supplies you already have on hand. You can also peruse the links below to get some ideas for DIY costumes your child is sure to enjoy.
- Possibilities with Clothes You May Already Have
- Using Cardboard Boxes (Don’t have any big boxes? Ask your local grocery store for some they may be throwing away!)
- Haunted House
- LEGO Brick (this one requires several round boxes – but you may be able to substitute with heavy paper and a little creativity!)
- Train
- Go Kart
- Adding Paper, Felt, or Tape to Solid-Color Clothing
- Using Yarn
- Other Ideas
Need more ideas? Google “DIY Halloween Costumes” and you’ll find plenty of options!
Enjoy the season, have some fun, and don’t stress about the budget! Happy Halloween!