Traditions are the spice of life, and you may be looking for activities that your children will want to carry on for generations to come. While everyone may look forward to trick-or-treating, you don’t have to limit yourself to the activities of that night. Here are a few ideas for new traditions that the entire family is sure to love.

Themed Costumes

In addition to going out on the 31st, you may also get to wear your costume for different parties and other events throughout the month. With themed costumes, you can make your entire family stand out. You can all dress as superheroes with Superman, Spiderman, and Batman costumes, or you may decide that a pirate and princess theme is more your style. Store the costumes carefully at the end of the season and you can use them again the following year, and you can even add accessories to take them to a higher level every season.

The Pumpkin Patch

Even if you live in the city, you can still find pumpkin patches in the outlying areas. The kids can choose their own pumpkins for carving, and you can pick up a few for making pies or just decorating around the house. Many patches have extra activities like mazes, barrel rides, hay wagons, and even pumpkin cannons, so you can make a day of it. Be sure to take your camera because the patch makes a great backdrop for adorable pictures while you’re out there. Be sure to go early because the stock will dwindle as the holiday draws closer.

Special Foods on the 31st

Get the entire family ready for the evening festivities with spooky foods throughout the day. Halloween pumpkin pancakes are always fun, and cheesy breadstick “fingers” go great with tomato soup. When it’s time for dinner, whip up some pumpkin soup, goulash, or chili to warm everyone up and fill up bellies before the candy arrives. When everyone comes back in at the end of the night, serve up some donuts and hot chocolate to top off the day.

The Annual Party

Another great tradition is an annual family Halloween party. You can invite the neighborhood or just your closest friends. Let your kids invite their friends, and encourage everyone to wear their awesome costumes. You can go all out with professional catering or ask your friends to bring a dish to pass. The important thing is that you gather with friends one night to build the excitement and develop some great memories with your kids. Just decorating for the big night can help you get into the Halloween spirit.

Vacation Time

If you're ready for a break during this very busy time, then travel plans can give you something to look forward to. You'll create some great family memories, and you can even take a break from decorating at home since you'll be out enjoying the world. Before you travel, find out what types of activities will be available at your destination. Most resorts will have special events, dances, and trick-or-treating opportunities, so the kids will want to get dressed up. In fact, this is a great time for the entire family to embrace a theme and roll with it.

Don’t be afraid to start calling this a new holiday tradition the first year that you do it. When the kids know that it’s going to be repeated again, it will be easier for them to get excited about it. As you try different things, you can continue improving on your new tradition to ensure that everyone in the family looks forward to it. Someday down the road, you may even get to involve the grandkids and share your memories of these early years with them.

Author's Bio: 

Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she's used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.