Trick or Treat Alternatives for Kids with Autism

Looking for trick or treat alternatives? A lot of children with autism are sensitive to sounds and sugar which makes Halloween a tricky time of year! Not to fear, I have you covered with these trick or treat alternatives for kids with autism. Take a peek here for more autism and Halloween tips.

30 Trick or Treat Alternatives

1. Create a fun Halloween treasure hunt.

This is one of my favorite trick or treat alternatives.

2. Have a fun Halloween-themed movie night.

Does your child have a favorite Halloween movie? Skip trick or treating and watch a fun Halloween movie instead.

3. Play with sensory boxes.

One of the best alternatives to trick or treating!

4. Make Autumn sensory bottles.

Sensory bottles are such a fun sensory tool to calm children with autism, regulate sensory systems and focus.

5. Play with a Halloween bat play dough mat.

I made this fun, free printable, bat play dough mat for your kids.

6. Do one of these calming Fall sensory activities for autism.

One of my favorites from this list is my chickpea sensory box.

7. Dress up at home (in one of these sensory-friendly Halloween costumes) and play in the living room.

No matter what character your child is obsessed with at the moment, there is a way to adapt a Halloween costume to make sure your child is included this Halloween even if he or she is hyper sensitive to several types of clothing.

8. Read a Halloween book.

There are several Halloween books we love at my autism center. I don’t want to say I’m obsessed with Little Witch’s Big Night but I actually am so there.

9. Set up backyard trick or treating and have these non candy Halloween treats to hand out.

There are so many fun ways to celebrate Halloween without giving your child a sugar high.

10. Make calming bottles.

Go the opposite route and create a calming sensory experience for your child. Calming bottles are one of my favorite ways to create calm, sensory experiences.

11. Go pumpkin picking.

Take your child by the hand and go choose a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch.

12. If you’re in Paris, consider a treasure hunt at the Natural History Museum (a pretty spooky place).

One of my favorite places to bring my autism classes is The Natural History Museum in Paris. It really is a treasure trove of bizarre items. If your child is fascinated by different kinds of visual experiences or a Science lover, and you happen to be in Paris or come and visit Paris one day, then you will love this museum!

13. Play a Halloween board game.

Go Away Monsters and Clumsy Witch are two awesome board games for young kids that I love.

14. Carve pumpkins (this also a fun sensory activity)!

Carving pumpkins is a fun sensory activity. Depending on your child’s comprehension level and concentration, you could do a simple carving or a more complicated carving.

15. Go apple picking.

Apple picking is a fun, Autumn outdoor activity that families can enjoy together. I love this activity for kids with autism because there is a clear goal (pick the apples). Autistic learners tend to thrive in activities where there is a clear goal which makes this the perfect activity to enjoy as an autism family. It is also a physical activity so maybe your child will also sleep soundly afterwards (double win).

16. Play the Fill the Fridge! Food Matching Game.

This simple game is easy to print out, laminate and start playing right away to build communication, imitation and fine motor skills.

17. Play with this 3 ingredient Halloween slime.

It seems like the world is obsessed with slime at the moment! If your child loves slime too then he or she will adore the Halloween version.

18. Go for an Autumn nature walk.

Make your nature walk even more fun by having a clear goal. Have your child look for acorns or a specific color leaf or small stones for a later project…

19. Dress up your family dog and go for a fun Halloween walk.

If your child doesn’t want to dress up (or even if he or she does), why not also dress up your child’s therapy dog?

20. Have a wind up toy race.

We have a collection of wind up toys at my autism center and use them for a variety of fun learning activities on the regular.

21. Make Halloween calm down balls.

These are so much fun!

22. Make straw skeletons.

I love this quick, easy and simple Halloween craft activity.

23. Engage in some fun spider races!

A little healthy Halloween competition.

24. Play Halloween Bingo.

I love this simple game.

25. Make a Halloween sensory bag.

This sensory activity is perfect for a child with autism who loves sensory play.

26. Decorate pumpkins with markers.

There are so many fun and simple ways to decorate pumpkins using markers. (You could even add some glue and fun materials like feathers, glitter, or even stickers.)

27. Turn on some fun Halloween music and have a dance party!

I use music regularly at my autism center and love incorporating Halloween music into our Halloween activities and crafts.

28. Play with a Halloween sensory pumpkins and spiders game.

I created this simple game a couple of years ago and it remains one of our favorite Halloween games.

29. Stay in and make Monster Bread.

This recipe definitely wins the prize for the cutest Halloween recipe!

30. Make paper plate masks.

I love these paper plate mask ideas that you can make easily at home.

More Autism Learning Resources

The Successful Interaction with a Child with Autism Course – learn to better understand your autistic child or students with this complete course.
Autism Activities Workbook Bundle – build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and daily living skills, while helping your child or students to successfully manage any difficult behaviors, with these fun, educational, printable activities.
Autism Activities Vault – your collection of 420+ autism activities for the entire school year.
Sensory Communication Workbook – Build communication skills with simple sensory activities.
How to Make a Communication Binder Guide & Workbook – Learn how to create a Communication Binder for your child or student with autism using real photos. Follow my expert guide to learn how to use it to increase communication skills.
Autism Adapted Books Bundle – a collection of 10 adapted books that will help you build communication skills while teaching more than 120 vocabulary words.
Autism Social Stories Bundle – a collection of printable social stories to help your little learners work on their social skills.
Zoo Animals Play Dough Mats Bundle – use these printable play dough mat to work on the names of the animals, build language skills, and increase fine motor strength and precision in a fun, sensory way!