October 30, 2013

6+ Ways to Serve on Halloween (Free Printable)

Halloween is not often a time where we think of serving.  There are actually many options for you & your children to do some service & help those in need this time of year. 


Reverse Trick or Treating
Reverse trick or treating is where the child gives instead of taking.  Take your kids all dressed up to a retirement center.  They can take pictures, cards, notes, or treats to give to the people that live there.  They usually love having any visitors... especially cute little kids all dressed up!  Be sure to call ahead & get permission & see if they have any allergies/dietary restrictions if you are taking treats.  I have heard they also do reverse trick or treating at children's hospitals where they have accepted puzzles, crayons, coloring books, etc.  Once again, call ahead! 

Donate Candy
You might have heard, but several dentists are participating in a Halloween Candy Buy Back Program where they send the candy collected to the American Troops.  Whoever started this program was very smart! 


Donate Costumes
Donate last year's costumes to women's shelters or the homeless shelters.  These kids & their parents would probably be thrilled to know that their kids would get to dress up for Halloween just like other kids. 

Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt
While your kids are trick or treating have them ask for canned goods or non-perishable items that you will donate to your local food bank.  If you're really ambitious, or the food bank is in need of certain things more than others, print off a list for your child & make it a scavenger hunt.  You are also welcome to use the free printable Halloween Service Scavenger Hunt I've made for you below! 


Decorate
Let's face it, most hospitals & nursing homes are kind of drab.  You can make your own decorations & decorate the doors of the patients staying there or their main lobby.  Better yet, plan a Halloween party for the patients staying there.  They would love it!


Use your talent
Are you really good at knitting?  There are lots of preemies that would look adorable in a nicely knitted hat (if allowed for that particular baby's conditions).  Are you or your child a magician?  Go to your local nursing home & put on a magic show.  Are you good at baking?  Bake some Halloween cupcakes or treats with your child & deliver them around your neighborhood.  Are you good at photography?  Volunteer to take pictures of your neighbor's children in their Halloween costumes or kids picking out their pumpkins at the pumpkin patch.  Just be sure to email them the pictures later. 


Do what you love to make someone else happier.  It might just make you love it even more. 


Tell me... what have you done to serve with your kids around Halloween time? 


Join our monthly service challenge...

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3 comments:

  1. Great ideas for starting the thought of treating during this season.

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  2. These are great ideas. My kiddo's school has a parade through the nursing home every year. Since it's a small town the high school is right next to the nursing home, so all the grade schoolers meet there and go on through. We sent two of his old costumes this year to a friend's daughter in FL who is having a rough time and has 2 kids, 1 and 5, and so the 5 year old has been wearing those costumes for days!

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  3. These are great ideas. Many people think about helping others at Thanksgiving, but not at Halloween.

    ReplyDelete

I actually really love it when you comment! ;)

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