Halloween Washout? Patch Has Some Trick-Or-Treat Alternatives

While it isn't as bad as the Snowpocalypse of 2011 or the devastation of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, Halloween 2019 looks like it may be a washout in our area.

So how do we stave off the moaning and wailing of disappointed children channeling tortured souls? The only thing worse is the moaning and wailing of parents on social media complaining about the weather and demanding public officials randomly reassign Halloween to some arbitrary day in November.

Fear not, for we have a few ideas that may keep your house from becoming a real horror.

Get To The Mall

Maybe there is a reason every good zombie movie features survivors holed up in an indoor shopping center. Possibly because it offers everything you could possibly need in one convenient location. And in northern New Jersey, on Thursday some are offering a dry place to trick-or-treat. While some individual downtowns and community centers are opening their doors for Halloween revelers, the Rockaway Townsquare Mall is holding an indoor trick-or-treat event from noon to 7 p.m. Come dressed as your favorite character and trick or treat at the Mall. Look for the pumpkin sign in participating retailers windows. Stop by Simon Guest Services in the Lord & Taylor court for a treat bag before you start your journey. While at Guest Services those interested can make your own custom Halloween goblin with DOLE Fruit Bowls.

Visit A Retirement Home

Many local nursing homes open their doors to spooky little critters and pint-sized superheroes. Check out local places and see if they are up for some extra special guests on Halloween. Odds are they will be.

Indoor Trick-Or-Treat

If your home can support this, adults can hide in different rooms and the kids can go trick-or-treating around the house collecting goodies.

Scavenger Hunt

You can create a traditional spooky scavenger hunt with Halloween-themed clues that have the children collecting items or just finding the next clue at different spots in the house. At the end? The prize is a bag of candy.

Lights Out Creature Hunt

Hide small bags of candy like one might hide Easter Eggs around the house. Then turn off the lights and have the kids search for them with glow sticks or a flashlight.

Pumpkin Art

Paint them, carve them or cover them with stickers, leave no gourd unscathed as you take out your weather wrath creatively.

Spooky Snacks

Use crescent rolls and hot dogs to make Mummies, or combine vanilla pudding with green food coloring and some crushed Oreos for an edible Frankenstein's Monster. Get messy, get creative and get the kids involved. There are many more ideas to be found on the interwebs.

Watch Scary Movies

In the age of streaming this couldn't be easier. You don't have to slog down to Blockbuster and hope that behind the brightly colored box of your chosen horror classic the DVD or tape lurked. Now you just click and watch.

Get An Umbrella

There is no need to let a little rain stop you and your family from enjoying Halloween either. Simply buy one of the many umbrellas available online or locally and get out there. With so many people gunshy about participating, many houses might even waive the "one piece per customer" rule around the candy bowl.

So what are your plans for this rainy Halloween? Tell us how you plan to cope and what awesome ideas you are going to try. Or better yet? Send us photos!

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading, or by visiting the Google Play store.