All Activities
Go trick-or-treating

Go trick-or-treating
Green highlight

Go trick-or-treating with an adult, plan a safe route and costume, use reflective tape and a flashlight, then sort and check collected treats.

Orange shooting star
Download Guide
Collect Badge
Background blob
Challenge Image
Table of contents

Step-by-step guide to go trick-or-treating

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

10 Halloween Safety Tips for Kids! 🎃👻

What you need
Adult supervision required, comfortable shoes, costume, flashlight, reflective tape, treat bag or bucket

Step 1

Plan a safe walking route with your adult before you leave.

Step 2

Pick a costume that fits well and is easy to move in.

Step 3

Attach reflective tape to your costume and your treat bag so cars can see you.

Step 4

Test your flashlight with your adult to make sure it shines bright.

Step 5

Put on comfortable shoes and your costume.

Step 6

Put your treat bag over your shoulder and close it so treats stay inside.

Step 7

Agree on clear safety rules with your adult before you start trick-or-treating.

Step 8

Walk the planned route with your adult and use crosswalks to cross streets.

Step 9

Use your flashlight and stay on sidewalks so you stay visible to drivers.

Step 10

Knock or ring and say "Trick or treat!" when a well-lit house answers.

Step 11

Step back and wait for the host to put treats in your bag.

Step 12

Sit with your adult and sort treats into a pile that looks OK and a pile you should ask about.

Step 13

Check wrappers for damage and throw away any unwrapped or damaged treats.

Step 14

Wash your hands with soap and water before eating any treats.

Step 15

Share your finished trick-or-treating creation and story on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

Complete & Share
Challenge badge placeholder

Help!?

What can we use instead of reflective tape if the store is sold out?

If you can't find reflective tape, attach strips of aluminum foil or white duct tape to your costume and treat bag, or clip on glow-stick bracelets so cars can still see you.

My flashlight might fail—what should we do so we can still use sidewalks and crosswalks safely?

Test your flashlight with your adult before you leave and pack spare batteries plus a backup light like a headlamp or a glow-stick tied to your bag so you stay visible on sidewalks and at crosswalks.

How can we adapt this trick-or-treat plan for different ages?

For younger kids, have an adult plan a shorter route, carry the closed treat bag and help sort treats while practicing 'Trick or treat!', and for older kids let them help plan the route, wear reflective tape, carry their own bag, and use the flashlight more independently.

How can we make this activity more fun or personal after we've followed the safety steps?

Personalize and improve the activity by decorating your closed treat bag with reflective tape and a name tag, making a printable route checklist to tick off houses at crosswalks, and sharing photos and your trick-or-treating story on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to go trick-or-treating

Here at SafeTube, we're on a mission to create a safer and more delightful internet. 😊

Halloween Safety Tips: Keeping Kids Safe While Trick or Treating

4 Videos

Facts about Halloween safety for kids

🍬 Candy corn was first produced in the 1880s and was originally marketed as "Chicken Feed" because of its kernel-like shape.

🗺️ Planning a route, setting time limits, and using a buddy system are common safety tips recommended by police and child-safety organizations.

🔦 Portable flashlights became practical after the dry-cell battery was invented in the late 19th century, letting people carry safe light at night.

🦺 Retroreflective tape and high-visibility materials bounce car headlights back toward drivers, making walkers much easier to see after dark.

🎃 Trick-or-treating evolved from older harvest and mumming traditions and became a widespread U.S. custom by the 1930s–1940s.

How do I take my child trick-or-treating safely?

Plan a safe route of familiar, well-lit streets and agree on a strict start and end time. Choose a visible costume with reflective tape and comfy shoes, and bring a flashlight or headlamp. An adult should always accompany young children; older kids should go in groups and check in by phone often. Use sidewalk crossings, avoid dark yards, and stick to neighborhood houses. Brief kids on staying with the group and not entering strangers’ homes.

What materials do I need for trick-or-treating?

Gather a sturdy treat bag or bucket, flashlight or headlamp, extra batteries, reflective tape for costumes, comfortable shoes, and weather-appropriate layers. Bring a charged phone, ID and emergency contact info, hand sanitizer, and a small first-aid kit. If a child has allergies, carry any prescribed medication and an allergy card. Optional: glow sticks, a map of the route, and a watch to monitor time.

What ages is trick-or-treating suitable for?

Trick-or-treating is great for toddlers through teens, but supervision needs change by age. Toddlers and preschoolers (1–5) should always be closely accompanied by an adult. Young children (6–10) do best with a parent or an adult-led group. Older kids (11–15) can go in supervised groups with check-ins. Teens may go independently with agreed rules. Adjust plans for your child’s maturity, confidence crossing streets, and neighborhood safety.

How should we sort and check collected treats after trick-or-treating?

Sort candy on a clean surface and inspect packaging for tears, unusual items, or homemade treats if you didn’t expect them. Discard anything unwrapped, tampered with, or with damaged seals. Check ingredient lists for allergens and set aside treats for younger siblings to avoid choking hazards. Consider letting kids pick a small portion right away, then save the rest for a final parental review before eating. Dispose safely and store candy out of reach overnight.
DIY Yeti Character
Join Frame
Flying Text Box

One subscription, many ways to play and learn.

Try for free

Only $6.99 after trial. No credit card required

To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!

Discovery Tools

DIY Wiki

DIY TV

Creativity Tools

How to draw

Teacher Tools

SafeTube

DIY Blog

2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.

Go trick-or-treating. Activities for Kids.