Trunk-or-Treat Checklist

24 items · Lifestyle · Easy difficulty · 3 hours

Host a car at a trunk-or-treat: sign up, plan a theme, decorate without damaging paint, bring enough candy, and leave the lot safely.

• Sign up with the organizer

  Some events cap the number of cars or assign spots.

• Ask for the arrival time, setup window and finish time
• Ask about rules on themes, scary decorations and engines running

  Events aimed at young children often ask for nothing gory, and many want engines off once the kids arrive.

• Ask how many kids came last year

  That number sets how much candy you need.

• Pick a theme that fits your trunk opening

  Measure the opening first. A minivan or SUV hatch gives you a stage, while a sedan trunk works better with decorations spilling out onto the ground.

• Test that your hatch or trunk lid stays fully open
• Use magnets, suction hooks or removable hooks on the car, not tape on the paint

  Strong tape can lift paint or leave residue.

• Use battery-powered lights

  Running lights off the car's power outlet for hours with the engine off can leave you with a flat battery at the end.

• Pack spare batteries for every light
• Do a test setup in the driveway and take a photo

  The photo is your packing map on the night.

• Buy candy for the expected crowd, plus extra

  Individually wrapped pieces only.

• Add a bowl of non-food treats for kids with allergies

  Stickers, pencils or glow bracelets. A teal pumpkin on display tells families you have them.

• Plan your own costume to match the theme
• Pack a folding chair, warm layers and a flashlight

  You will be standing still in a parking lot after dark for two hours or more.

• Pack a trash bag, wipes and tape for quick repairs
• Arrive at the start of the setup window
• Set the parking brake and switch the engine off
• Keep cords, stakes and props out of the walking lane

  Kids watch the trunks, not their feet.

• Hand out candy from beside the trunk, and keep kids from climbing in
• Pace the candy so you still have some at the end
• Pack up only after the organizer calls the end
• Walk around the car before you start it

  Look under and behind it for kids, dropped candy bags and props.

• Wait until families have cleared the lot, then drive out slowly
• Note what worked and how much candy was left, for next year

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