When October hits, children can’t wait to think about costumes, candy, and having fun with friends!
Halloween is a hotly anticipated holiday for many, and while parents put a lot of time into preparing costumes and planning parties, they’re not always sure where to take their kids to trick-or-treat and how to do it safely. That’s why The Husband and Wife Law Team has stepped in to help!
Where to Take Your Tricksters
It’s such a fun time of the year to be out and about, interacting with friends and neighbors and celebrating the season. Here are some wonderful events in the Phoenix area this Halloween-time:
Spooktacular Mini-Golf: October 1-November 3, at Golfland, 155 W. Hampton Ave., Mesa. Enjoy the festive lights and decorations every given night at 7 p.m. for no additional cost!
Underwater Superhero Spooktacular: October 4-31, at SEA LIFE Arizona, 5000 S. Arizona Mills Circle, Ste. 135, Tempe. Dress up like your favorite superhero and discover more about the most powerful creatures in the ocean!
Halloween Town Pumpkin Patch: October 10-31, at Phoenix Premium Outlets, 4976 Premium Outlets Way, Chandler. It’s a one-of-a-kind pumpkin patch with rides, carnival games, arts & crafts, face painting, food, and more!
Trick-or-Treat at the Museum: October 31, at Children’s Museum of Phoenix, 215 N 7th Street, Phoenix. Kids can trick-or-treat at the exhibits, make caramel apples (for an extra fee), play carnival games, dance the Monster Mash, participate in a scary costume show, and learn while doing it!
Halloween in the Hills: October 31, at Avenue of the Fountains, 16704 Ave of Fountains, #100 Fountain Hills. More than 40 businesses and charities set up carnival-style game booths, and businesses stay open for trick-or-treating! There will be bounce houses, costume contests, live entertainment, and food vendors.
Trick-or-Treat Main Street: October 31, Downtown Mesa, 1 N Macdonald, Mesa. Over 20 businesses will be handing out candy, and there will be kettle corn, face-painting, and a balloon artist.
Halloween Spook-Track-ula: October 25-31, McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale. Visit this haunted fun park featuring a spooky train ride from 6:30-9 p.m. nightly, created with younger children in mind, and pick up candy while doing it!
Trick-or-Treating Safety Tips
It’s important to remember that because daylight hours are shorter, visibility is lower during this holiday. There are also more people and young children on the streets, and fun costumes can often be cumbersome, increasing the likelihood of an accident. Here are some tips to keep your family safe.
1. Think safety when costume planning: Don’t add potentially dangerous objects to costumes. Choose soft swords, knives, and fairy wands. Add a few reflective strips to the costume with reflective tape so your child is more visible to drivers. Use makeup sparingly and make sure your child is old enough not to rub it into her eyes or mouth. Costumes should also fit well in order to avoid tripping hazards and being snagged on bushes and signs.
2. Stay together: Families should walk together and make sure to hold their younger children by the hand when crossing streets. Everyone should walk on sidewalks in well-lit neighborhoods. If a car is coming, err on the side of safety and let it go, even if other people begin to cross.
3. Have a plan for treats: Some families use the “Switch Witch” book and game, which allows children to swap out some or all of their candy for a gift from the witch. Others talk about how much candy they can eat per day, and what candies children might be allergic to and must throw away or give to friends. Parents should remove candies that pose a choking hazard for younger children. No one should eat candy that is unwrapped or seems tampered with in any way.
4. Take a flashlight: Make sure you can see and that drivers can see you. Glowsticks, and light-up necklaces and bracelets are another fun option. If your child is younger, avoid these products, because your child could accidentally ingest chemicals if he or she chews on it.
5. Remind your children that they should never enter anyone’s home or car: They can wait on the porch for candy and they should only visit houses with their lights on, and stay together. It is best to politely refuse to enter someone’s house, even if the house is decorated or made up like a haunted house. Children can easily be startled and hurt themselves.
6. When driving, stay at or under the speed limit and don’t get distracted: Many people will be crossing the road tonight, and children could easily run out into the street. Avoid the roads as much as you can, but if you must travel, be patient, forgiving, and extra-careful.
If your child experiences an injury during this holiday season because of someone else’s carelessness, let us know. While we hope everyone has a safe and fun experience, we know that sometimes accidents happen, and it’s nice to have someone on your side – like a top Phoenix personal injury team, who also happen to be the parents of eight children! Happy Halloween!