While the “Halloween” badge explored the history of this holiday, this badge goes into the traditions that are still found today . . . including your own.
Steps
Explore your community
1. Yard decorations.
Take a stroll and see what your neighbors have in their yards. If local businesses or community centers also indulge in outdoor decorations, check those out as well. Take a camera with you and photograph those that look good to you that you might want to incorporate into your own decorating tradition.
2. Faux haunted locations.
Explore temporary locations that are decorated specifically for the holiday. Pay attention to how they distract you with sounds and movement. Do not limit yourself to haunted houses. Our local Boy Scout camp does a haunted trail every year. If you see anything you’d like to incorporate into your own tradition, make a note or take a picture for a reminder.
Explore more with the Enrichment Project badge program “Halloween Haunted.”
3. Truly haunted.
Are there locations in your area that are reported to be haunted? Find if there is a tour group that visits these haunted locations. If so, learn about the group and locations. Interested? Try a tour!
Celebrate together
4. Parade.
Most parades this time of year are costume parades. Do you have one locally? If so, find some friends and participate. If not, look into how to start one.
5. Trick-or-treat.
Trick-or-treat is for the kids . . . except the adults get to enjoy sharing the decorations in their yard, handing out candy and sometimes even scaring the kids. Some businesses invite kids to trick-or-treat between departments. Organizations might plan a tailgate party for young members. Is there trick-or-treating in your area? How can you help keep the little ones safe?
You might start a tradition where everyone in your family gets together to choose what you hand out for trick-or-treat. This might include the candy, bags with special items in them, etc.
6. Farms.
Visit a pumpkin farm. Check it out before attending in case they are having special attractions closer to the holiday.
7. Nature walk.
Traditionally, Halloween is the time when harvest is done and winter is coming. As you take your walk, note the differences in the trees and creatures in the last few weeks. If you want to collect leaves, pinecones, etc., be sure to pick the ones on the ground. Don’t destroy the foliage. Make something to celebrate the changing season.
8. Movie night!
If you have younger family members, you might choose fun movies like “Nightmare before Christmas” or “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” For older family members and adults only parties, check to see if anyone is freaked out by some movies . . . like “Halloween” or “Saw.” Plan a Halloween movie night.
9. Tell a tale.
Practice your storytelling skills by sharing a scary tale. Use candles instead of electric lights. Be sure it is age appropriate. You might choose to tell it around a campfire at night to add to the ambiance.
Alternatively, you can join your family in creating your own Halloween story. It can be scary or funny, but be sure it incorporates Halloween elements.
10. Service.
Typically, Sight Night (Lions Clubs) and change for UNICEF are done while trick-or-treating. Sight Night is asking for used eyeglasses that can be recycled. UNICEF asks for change. What other service can you incorporate into your Halloween traditions
11. How do you celebrate?
Start tracking how you celebrate Halloween. As you start remembering things you did in your past, are there any traditions that you no longer do that might be fun to start again. Note these as well. Start creating your own traditions so this holiday is unique to your family.
12. Around the world.
Check out traditional Halloween activities in other countries. Are you interested in incorporating any of these into your own traditions? Start with the list below.
- Mexico / Day of the Dead
- Great Britain / Guy Fawkes
- Austria / Seleenwoche
- China / Teng Chieh and Festival of Hungry Ghosts
- Japan / Obon Festival
13. Party!
If you’re thinking of hosting a party, check out the Enrichment Project badge program “Halloween Party”.
14. Other badge programs.
Expand your Halloween fun with more from this badge set. The entire set includes:
- Halloween / All Hallow’s Eve (history)
- Halloween Costumes
- Halloween Crafts
- Halloween Decor
- Halloween Games
- Halloween Haunted
- Halloween Party
- Halloween Recipes
- Halloween Traditions
“Ghoul Scouts” is an additional badge program that, while not part of the set, is a theme that can be used for Halloween.
Sites to Explore
- www.unicefusa.org/mission/usa/trick-or-treat
- www.lionsclubs.org/EN/index.php
- www.icanteachmychild.com/ideas-for-halloween-service-projects
- www.parents.com/holiday/halloween/traditions
- www.education.com/magazine/article/Storytelling-and-Ghost-Stories
- www.education.com/magazine/article/Halloween-Around-the-World
Leave a Reply