Thread: Help: Traditions vs young children

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Okay, I'll try to explain myself the best I can (aahhh... those french canadians)

I'm planning to put a huge graveyard in front of the house, with lots of deco, crafts and props (bloody tombstones, zombies coming out of coffins, Freddy vs. Jason battling, the Saw pupped coming around on his bike... you get the point). Nothing to excessive. A bit scary but fun stuff.)

My problem is, since most kids that will show up TRTing are going to be around 1 to 10 years old, so I'm hesitating on putting scary stuff out there. There are 4 daycare centers in my street and kids are mostly young (and easily frightened).

Should I still put the scary stuff out and spent lots of time making the props or just put a pumpkin with a candle in it near my door like MOST of the houses in my street? I mean, it's fun to put efforts in something that people will have fun / enjoy / show gratitude...

I know that Halloween in Quebec is not as popular as it is in the US, but I really think it sucks to only put a pumpkin in front of the door.

Fun fact: In QC, when children come at the door, they don't say Trick or treat, they just stand there, looking at you, waiting for their candies.

I say go for it!! You have spent allot of time effort and money on your props !! Show them off!! Maybe your neighbors will kick it up a notch and add more to their yards after seeing your's ...

I am less worried about scaring kids and more worried about stuff possibly getting trashed or stolen, so I've refrained from decorating my yard extensively :/

I would put out anything that you think the kids (and yourself) will find entertaining - be it scary or a toned down version of it. Just think, the kids will ALWAYS remember the house that scared them (or wow'd them). Good luck!

go for it! make sure you wire everything down.

I've found that having the most decorated house on the block acts like a magnet. The TOT's swarm to the house (mostly dragged by their parents). They have to walk up the driveway (thru the graveyard) to get their candy. We stand on the front porch (one in costume and one not). The one not in costume watches the street. If there are any little ones too terrfied to take the walk, we take the candy to them. This doesn't happen too often. Set up your graveyard and enjoy the night!!!!!!

I would cater to all at my home haunt. I make it easy for the kids to come get their candy and retreat the same way they came in. but I also have another path that leads to a more scary atmosphere. It is where most teens go and some(very few) parents enter. Keep the area for young TOTs well lite and do your best to accomodate the lil ones as this is the real reasons we as little kids loved halloween(To have a great & FUN memorable Halloween night). Best of luck to you this upcoming season!

having kids too scared to come up and get candy is like the best compliment i could get really. That's what I shoot for every year.

Scary decorations will help weed out the weak.

Put it out! Keep the holiday for what it is.

It's about being scared but in a safe way. My son was so proud when he made it though his first haunted trail. He was scared silly but he loved it when it was all done and he still remembers it as a good memory.