Children's Miracle Network does a fall thing in our area.
Some of these ideas are things they do & some are just mine.
Everything is outside, decorated w/hay bales, cornstalks, pumpkins, etc.
They do pumpkin decorating (small pumpkins). This could be just a fun activity or contest.
Scavenger hunt
All of your regular carnival games (duck ponds, bean bag toss,etc.)
Bobbing for apples is a little unsanitary for me, but I've seen a game where people race to eat a donut off a string using no hands.
CMN does an instrument petting zoo.
They have, of course, a bouncey house
They offer a hayride
Apple cider & kettle corn
You could have a state fair style baked goods contest where the main ingredients have to be apple or pumpkin- a category for kids & one for grown folks.
You could hold your "Harvest Fest" or "Fall Festival" or what-have-you close to Halloween if you like, but by not even mentioning Halloween or costumes, you give kids the option of dressing up w/out endorsing it or discouraging it. This way, you are not alienating anyone, and all of the kids can be included.
We have the same problem here. We organize our events as a "Fall ball" or "Harvest festival". Just be aware - the name change might not matter if costumes are involved (we have families whos religious beliefs conflict with all aspcets of halloween - including costumes).
<font size=""2"">If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain - Maya Angelou</font><br />
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<br>Life is an adventure - Seize each moment and make it your own!
I would like to organize a halloween activity but was informed it might not be a good idea cuz some families dont celebrate halloween. I wasnt aware that this could be offensive to some people. How do I go about this without offending anyone?