Traditional neighborhood trick-or-treating inevitably requires lots of road crossings—lit only by street lamps, porch lights and the moon. Tragically, children are more than twice as likely to be struck and killed by a car on Halloween than on any other day of the year, according to the National Safety Council. Whether it’s for safety concerns or other reasons, it seems that more parents in recent years are resorting to trunk-or-treats.
It’s basically trick-or-treating on a smaller scale, often hosted in the parking lots of recreation or religious centers. Before the events open to the public, the candy-givers line up their vehicles, pop open their trunks or hatches, dress them up in Halloween decor and prep their candy buckets for handing out to trunk-or-treaters—no moving vehicles or traipsing long distances necessary.
Below we’ve compiled a short list of some great annual trunk-or-treats, and more safe trick-or-treating events that are indoors or at local parks and worth taking your own kids to. Several are hosted by local rec centers, community organizations and churches. For more spooky and not-so-spooky events around Dallas-Fort Worth and near you, visit dfwchild.com/calendar.
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Trunk-or-Treat Drive-In Movie
Where:Joe Farmer Recreation Center, 1201 E. Bethany Drive, Allen
When: Saturday, October 19, 2024; 6:30–9:30pm
Cost: $30 for rec members; $42 for nonmembers
Why go: Walk the kids around the vehicles lined up, trunks open outside the Allen Parks and Rec center. Once your kids collect their candy and the provided dinner of pizza, popcorn and drinks, you can watch Goosebumps (2015) from the comfort of your own vehicle. Have you and the kids already carved a pumpkin at home? Bring it with you to participate in the pumpkin judging contest for a shot at winning an award. Learn more and register online here.
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Flick or Treat at The CORE
Where: Andrew Brown Park East, 260 Parkway Blvd., Coppell
When:Saturday, October 19, 2024; 5–9pm
Cost: Free
Why go: Once it gets sufficiently dark outside, the city will play Hocus Pocus on a big screen at the park, but first, come as early as 5pm to start filling your buckets with candy from the decorated trunks of generous car-owners. Then grab a dinner of pizza or cheese quesadillas from food trucks 1956 PizzaandCheddr Wheel. (It’s candy, then dinner, right? All at your own risk.)Learn more at coppelltx.gov.
Boo at the Zoo
Where: Fort Worth Zoo, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth
When: Friday–Sunday, October 25–27, 2024; 10am–5pm
Cost: Included with general admission: $18 for adults; $14 for children; under 3 free
Why go: Maximize your Halloween fun by visiting the Fort Worth Zoo on this annual weekend of extra spooky fun, animal shows and treat stations throughout. Here’s how the treat stations work: Every zoo guests gets six coupon with admission to the zoo, and you can trade each of those coupons at the stations for four pieces of candy. Got a sweeter tooth than that? You can get extra tickets ($3 for six coupons.) That’s Halloween math. Got it? Learn more here.
Trick-or-Treating at the Park
Where: Klyde Warren Park, 1909 Woodall Rodgers Freeway, Dallas
When: Saturday, October 26, 2024; 5pm
Cost: Free
Why go: You’re going to need a deeper candy bucket for this one. Klyde Warren Park is planning to hand out 100,000 pieces of candy at this annual Halloween party. Come a get your fair share, and enjoy the other festivities they have planned, like a screening of the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas—the Halloween/Christmas mashup we come back to year after year—and the costume contests.They’ll have several categories for different age ranges and groups: 5 and younger, 6–12, teens, adults, pets, and group costumes and families. Learn more here.
NTPA Boo Bash
Where: The Shops at Willow Bend, 6121 W. Park Blvd., Plano
When: Saturday, October 26, 2024; 11am–3pm
Cost: Free
Why go:North Texas Performing Arts (NTPA), whose theater center headquarters are inside Willow Bend mall, hosts its fourth annual trick-or-treating party for its students and the community alike. This event used to be outdoors, but this year it’s gone far away from the parking lot to inside at Center Court where you’ll find the Halloween games and festivities. Stop by each of the vendor booths to collect your candy and test your luck in the costume contest. Learn more here.
Thrive-O-Ween
Where: Thrive at Memorial Park, 1950 S. Valley Parkway, Lewisville
When: Saturday, October 26, 2024; noon–3pm
Cost:Free
Why go: Lewisville’s Thrive recreation center hosts its second annual trunk or treat. Out on the North Lawn and indoors at the Dogwood event rooms, you can expect food, games, and costume contests for each age group. Learn more at lewisvillethrive.com.
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St. Andrew Trunk or Treat
Where: St. Andrew United Methodist Church,5801 W. Plano Parkway, Plano
When: Sunday, October 27, 2024; 4:30–6pm
Cost: Free
Why go: Before dark, St. Andrew UMC invites the community to its annual trunk or treat at its west parking lot. You’ll have time to stop by all the creatively decorated car trunks before letting the kids dive inside the bounce houses. (Don’t forget their socks.) Learn more at standrewmethodist.org for info on how to host a trunk or even “rent” a helper for handing out candy. Proceeds benefit a youth scholarship fund.
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Halloween Music Fest & Trunk-or-Treat
Where: Spring Valley United Methodist Church, 7700 Spring Valley Road, Dallas
When: Sunday, October 27, 2024; 4–5pm
Cost: Free
Why go: Come listen to music and get complimentary hot dogs, followed by a trunk-or-treat in a designated part of the parking lot, where decorated car trunks will be filled with candy. Learn more at svumc.org.
Irving Police Athletic League’s Trunk-or-Treat
Where: Lively Pointe, 909 N. O’Connor Road, Irving; & the Irving Police Athletic League (PAL), 1007 N. O’Connor Road, Irving
When: Monday, October 28, 2024; 5–8pm
Cost: Free
Why go: In the parking lots between the two buildings, PAL and the Lively Pointe Youth Center together host a trunk-or-treat with games and candy. If you’re game to bring your own decorated car and hand out candy too, sign up here. For some friendly competition, they’ll be hosting contests for best costumes and for best decorated trunks. For more updates, visit the PAL’s Facebook page.
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Little Stars
Where: The Star, One Cowboys Way, Frisco
When: Wednesday, October 30, 2024; 10am–noon
Cost: Free
Why go: This one’s not technically a trunk-or-treat but here’s the setup: Parents are welcome to decorate your strollers, and the best will win a brand-new easy-folding travel stroller by Nuna. And who doesn’t want an upgrade? This is open to kids 5 and younger. They have the run of the Star’sTostitos Championship Plaza and access to games and treats. Learn more here.
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Photo courtesy of St. Andrew UMC
