Trunk or Treat Ideas for Your Upcoming Event
Halloween season is upon us! One of the more fun traditions that has gained popularity over the past decade is trunk or treat. These events are family focused and meant to give kids a safe area to trick-or-treat. They are often held in the parking lot of elementary schools, churches or community centers. And, while it’s completely acceptable to just park amongst the cars to hand out candy or non-food items, so many of us have gotten into the fun by decorating themed trunks. I just detailed the Harry Potter themed trunk we did last year in my latest blog. As I was scrolling through ideas to create this year’s trunk, I decided there were just too many good ones not to share!
Toy Story
This is a popular one, probably because the group costumes and fun ways to decorate will never get old! This idea, from @MsRowesLittleLearners shows tremendous creativity, and it makes me want to join her class! Find a cute Toy Story themed display to get your own version started this season!
Charlie Brown
Who could resist using a Charlie Brown theme for a trunk or treat event? It’s adorable and timeless–we can all picture Linus waiting around for the Great Pumpkin to arrive. Lynlee, over at @lynleessweetlife is a master of creativity.
Barbie
Speaking of a classic, using the Barbie theme is so culturally appropriate right now. I love the idea of having prop boxes for kids to step into to snap a pic. But, the skeletons of Barbie and Ken? Hilarious. Put together your own Barbie themed trunk, with an option for photo booth fun.
Glam Halloween
Diandra over at @diis.balloonz put together this awesome pink, silver and black arched balloon display. This creation includes bats and spiders and cobwebs for a totally terrific, but not quite scary, display that would be perfect for any age audience. Create your own pink and black Halloween theme with this kit on Amazon.
Down the Rabbit Hole
If you visit the @greatcrafternoon page on IG, you’ll definitely go down a rabbit hole of inspiration for decorating. This tea party themed trunk goes above and beyond, especially when it comes to all the little details that were incorporated. If this theme piques your interest, get ready to have fun! There are so many cute decor items you can find for a Wonderland themed trunk.
Hocus Pocus
Lauren, over at @laur_diamantas created this amazing balloon display, using Hocus Pocus as the focus. (See what I did there???) The bright, colorful balloons would be a fun addition to any trunk or treat. I love how all of the elements are Halloween themed, but no kid would be scared when there are pink pumpkins and a bubble machine. If you’d like to feature the movie Hocus Pocus theme, Amazon has you covered with a Sanderson Sisters theme kit.
Nightmare Before Christmas
Is it Halloween? Is it Christmas? No one seems to know where the Nightmare Before Christmas fits better, but Bee Forever Events proves that this trunk or treat theme can have epic results.
Hogwarts Theme
Harry Potter themed decor will always hold a special place in my heart. I think it’s iconic, and it fits so well with the Halloween vibe. This trunk, put together by @marytholloman captured the essence of this theme! You’ll definitely get your fair share of wizards and witches visiting your Hogwarts trunk! Here’s a cute trunk kit to get yours started.
And, speaking of Harry Potter, this fireplace designed trunk recreates very cool moments from the book series! From the Maurader’s Map footprints, to the flying letters, any witch or wizard would be thrilled to visit this Hogwarts themed trunk, featured by @tay_thecosmo.
Coco Melon
Perfect for young trick-or-treaters, a Coco Melon trunk will be a hit! CJ Lynch created this cute–and simple–trunk for a local event, using basic elements and primary colors. Easily add some decorative table toppers and watch the smiles light up when they see their favorite characters.
Skeleton Pirates
Halloween is an ideal time for skeletons and pirates alike, so why not combine them? This fun concept, by @giggles_galore creates a simple boat out of the trunk, allowing you to put your skeleton pirates at the helm. Get a 2 Pack of skeletons to get started on your idea.
Monster
You’re bound to see monster-themed trunks at your next event! This one, by @merlinprinting brings color and fun to the event with a larger-than-life monster trunk! The colors, the eyes, the teeth…it absolutely screams Halloween, pun intended. I’ve got your covered if you want create your own monster-themed trunk.
Coco Theme
This Day of the Dead theme by @bigpapax2 will resonate with both children and adults! Kids love a Coco-themed trunk, and I’m sure the grownups visiting this one reminisced about those beloved celebs that are being featured. Create your own version with this Day of the Dead trunk kit.
Say “Ahhhhh”
Ideal for a doctor or dentist’s office, creating a Halloween booth has never been more fun. Sea Smiles, the pediatric dentist that put together this fun monster trunk, surely had kids smiling from ear to ear. Here’s a trunk or treat kit so you can recreate this concept.
Cookie Monster
Such a perfect theme for young–or old–crowd, everyone’s beloved cookie consuming monster would be a big hit! @cookie911.fl crafted this amazing set up for a trunk or treat event. The details say they ordered blue plastic table cloths from Amazon and cut them up to create the fluffy look. How are they connected? With blue duct tape, and apparently they used a lot. The direct quote was “rolls and rolls.”
Beauty and the Beast
It’s an award-winning trunk, created by @abc7tony. This family-themed, first-place-winning trunk features the entire family as the cast of Beauty and the Beast. The decorations are simple, but the handmade costumes certainly take the cake. Lumiere couldn’t be cuter with those candlestick hands. Create your own version with this castle backdrop!
Hot Cocoa Station
A great addition to any Halloween event, a hot cocoa station will let everyone warm up while allowing them to customize their favorite concoction. This apothecary themed trunk has all the favorite hot cocoa elements for trick or treaters to enjoy, created by @elizabethedwards_official.Create your own hot cocoa station for any upcoming fall or winter event!
The Hungry Caterpillar
Since most trunk or treat events cater to the younger bunch, having book themes is a great idea! The Sherborn Library posted this adorable idea, and it’s no surprise. This beloved character would be instantly recognizable to most, if not all, of the kids. It’s a great theme, proving that these events don’t even have to be fall or Halloween inspired. (Although the skeleton teacher reading to all of the skeleton children is such a fun addition!)
The Sonic Crew
I might be biased, since my middle son was obsessed with Sonic for YEARS before he became popular again, but I love seeing this Sonic theme! It’s a cute family costume idea, and little ones will be excited to get their picture next to those stand-up characters. This cool trunk was the creation of @gearupflapsup on IG.
Mickey Mouse
Running out of time? Need a super easy idea? Everything for this Mickey Mouse themed trunk could be created with one quick stop at the Dollar Store or Walmart. A red tablecloth, two black poster board circles, and two yellow paper plates. Use tape to connect things, and you’ll be the hit of the event!
Pirate + Mermaid
A different version of a pirate-themed trunk, and this one is just as big of a success! We love how there’s also a mermaid incorporated into this one because who doesn’t love rounding a pirate theme with a combo mermaid theme! This would be a fun stop for a whole range of kids at the event. This pirate mermaid trunk is the creation of @sewgeekmama.
Star Wars
The creation of Robin Rouse, this Star Wars themed trunk features some favorite characters, a starry sky and some very cool ships from the movie. I love the light up “may the force be with you” sign the most.
Camping Cuteness
Who doesn’t love the idea of a campsite in fall? It’s falls right in line with all things autumn. And, you can even tell ghost stories around the fire as it gets closer to Halloween. This adorable idea is the creation of @karash, and it’s a total success.
Jurassic Park
Dinosaurs are always a childhood favorite. The Jurassic Park series is a great resource for costumes ideas, as well as trick or treat trunk themes. @judealexanderstrode put this together for a local event, and we can just imagine the boys and girls lining up to get their photo taken with the t-rex!
Ice Cream
Halloween is all about scrumptious treats, and there’s no better treat than ice cream! This theme was the creation of @mylilvice on Instagram, and this trunk or treat would be a popular stop for many of the kids on their journey.
Ghostbusters
Who ya gonna call? How about @lgmballoondecor on Instagram?!? This balloon arch is perfection for a Ghostbuster’s themed trunk! Lots of adults would be lining up to snap a selfie with this cult classic.
Astronaut
This adorable space-themed trunk was shared by @bracesbydrruth. Simple and colorful, kids will be lining up to have a chance to get their picture taken in the window of the space ship. Create your own version of a spaced-theme trunk.
Mario
Create a super fun theme with the Super Mario Brothers! Find all the character yard signs to have them set up around your station, or grab a cute Mario-themed kit for quick set up. They’ve got trunk decor options for different price points, based on what you’d like to spend.
Bubblegum Machine
If you have a red car, I think you have to consider doing this clever trunk for your next Halloween event! You could even hand out bubblegum!
Candy Land
A favorite game for generations, this is such a fun decorating idea. There are so many ways to recreate this theme, Amazon even has a trunk or treat gingerbread house kit,or even a simple gingerbread man + balloon kit to create fun versions if you don’t have the time to hand-make your pieces! How adorable is this Candy Land trunk?
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
It’s a simple concept–and who doesn’t love that??? Green plates, green and purple plastic tablecloths and some construction paper to create the details…the Heroes in a Half Shell are brought to life! Empty pizza boxes to hold the candy? That final detail is the icing on the cake.
