How To Organize a Trunk or Treat Event

Trunk or Treat? Of course, you have heard of trick or treat or trick-or-treating for Halloween, but have you ever attended or been part of a Trunk or Treat event?

I have done both, and I will tell you that it is one of the most fun Halloween Party events you will ever attend . . . in a parking lot.

The best part of hosting Trunk-or-Treat Events is seeing the children have a blast going from one “trunk” to another and discovering how creative their community truly can be. 

Not to mention, if done right, it can be a safe and fun alternative to going door-to-door for candy or, if you are lucky, some great food. 

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What is a Trunk or Treat event? 

A Trunk-or-Treat Event is when individuals decorate the trunks of their vehicles to fit a certain theme or idea.

Participants often dress up in costumes to fit the theme and hand out candy.

Children walk (or run) to each vehicle trick-or-treating. It’s one of the times they can move around and interact with others more than just playing with their outdoor toys.

Many trunk-or-treat events also have other fall or Halloween-type activities to complement the trunk-or-treat portion. 

My Shark Attack-Inspired Trunk

How to Organize a Trunk or Treat this Halloween

My costume didn’t fit the theme, but my husband dressed like a lifeguard! We also played the theme song from “Jaws”!

Pick a Date and Time – Trunk or Treat Planning Guide

Consider children’s bedtimes when planning an event that is geared towards children.

Sometimes, Halloween falls mid-week, so you want to ensure your start and end times are still early enough. Otherwise, you will have many unhappy and fussy children and even more tired parents the next day.

Determine and Reserve a Location for a Certain Amount of Vehicles 

Parking Lots are best, but if they are public, you will need permission from your City through permitting.

Could you do your research and get written permission from anyone, especially a private parking lot?

Many trunks or treat events use a parking lot at churches or recreation centers.

Nothing is worse than playing dumb when you are asked for a permit and don’t have one.

Your event could be shut down, and nobody wants that—especially the hundreds of children who will go home sad and without Halloween candy. 

Find Volunteers 

Finding volunteers can be challenging for any event, but most people love to help community-driven events.

Many high school curriculums require students to serve a certain amount of community service volunteer hours.

Could you be sure to contact the local high school and get permission to post a notice on a job board?

Senior homes are also great resources if you are looking for individuals to pass out candy. 

Secure Sponsors 

Several companies will donate candy if you ask beforehand (not the week of).

Some businesses ask for recognition, while others have no expectations and love to give to the community.

If you are still looking for sponsors for the event (especially a first-time event), ask the trunk-or-treat hosts to bring their candy.

Otherwise, you will need to plan and budget for candy. In that case, always buy bulk if you can.  

Recruit Trunk or Treat Hosts

This can be tricky, especially for a community that has never heard of such an event.

You can Google other examples of trunk or treat ideas and show them to potential participants to show them what a decorated trunk can look like.

Seeing is believing, and they will be hooked by the potential of what their trunk could look like.

Could you create a registration form to keep track of how many cars will be at the event?

Ask for their email address so we can send them event information, including set-up times and other essential details such as lousy weather plans, contact information, etc.

Better yet, find a group of competitive friends, and they will come out in droves to participate in an adult version of “Dress Up”  for a chance to win or beat their friends.

Also, could you ask your local Police and Fire Departments to participate?

They love to bring out their vehicles and interact with families.

Trunk or Treat events are a great family activity that includes firefighters and police officers and their families.

Some families displayed police challenge coins and firefighter challenge coins.

They honor the heroic spirit of all participants in the event and learn more about police and firefighters.   

Recruit Judges for the Trunk or Treat Awards

If you are going to give away prizes at the event for different categories to the decorated cars, consider recruiting a few judges to relieve some of your pressure.

Ask prominent individuals in the community who can promote the event by word of mouth.

Consider giving away a Grand Prize for the Best Trunk and run a Costume Contest at this Halloween Party event. 

Find Activities that Complement the Trunk or Treat Portion

If you have a budget, consider bringing in these activities or trunk-or-treat event ideas to create a giant festival feel to attract more attendance (Note: Make sure outside vendors have insurance for their services or activities naming you as the additional insured): 

1. Petting Zoo
2. Superpower Dog Showcases
3. Cake Walk
4. Bounce Houses and Slides
5. Refreshments
6. Photo Booth Area
7. Train
8. Face Painting
9. Outdoor Movies
10. Coloring Tables
11. Or your Special Exhibition

Promote, Promote, Promote

Promote the event as a safe and fun alternative to trick-or-treating to the public.

If you don’t have a marketing budget, you will have to get creative, but no worries, with community events, there are several opportunities to get the word out.

Many local newspapers will write about it because it’s a unique event.

Use social media to promote the event.

Post Trunk or Treat flyers on community bulletin boards in local businesses.

Many will let you do so if the event is FREE. 

Host the Event and Have Fun

1. Make sure your vendors know when to show up and how much time they have to decorate their trunks on site.
2. Give a few hours to give them time to do so.  
3. Have fun music playing and encourage guests to visit all the trunks.
4. Document that all the trunks can be stamped, and participants can drop off the completed card for a chance to win a prize if they visit all the trunks. 
5. Have your judges decide on the contest winners and take photos on site to use for post-promotion!
6. Have fun and relish in your success! 

Post-Event Promotion and Recap

Just because the event is over doesn’t mean the promotion has to end.

Could you publish pictures and announce the winners on social media and other press outlets?

Be sure to announce next year’s event date and encourage people to start thinking of their trunk ideas soon. 

A Candy Land-inspired trunk!

Hosting a Trunk or Treat for Halloween takes a lot of hard work and dedication, but it’s worth it in the end.

Seeing the community come together to produce and enjoy such an event was truly rewarding. 

Have you ever attended a trunk or treat event?

If so, what was the funniest trunk you saw? 

More exciting reading: 10 Unique Jobs For Teenagers.