Halloween is just around the corner and while the spooky season could also be a favorite for kids, it may be a mixed bag for parents. Between sugar rushes, costume coordination and safety concerns, what was supposed to be a fun evening can turn into more tricks than treats. But before you spoil the holiday fun, know that there are numerous ways to keep the holiday spirit alive while keeping your little ones secure. Whether you are looking for an alternate to the traditional trick-or-treat circuit or need a refresher on safety suggestions, we have kid-friendly activities for you to enjoy without the chills.

Here are some tricks to make Halloween fun – without the nightmares.

Alternative locations:

Trunk-or-Treat events: Trick-or-treating is becoming a favorite amongst families who want to bypass the unpredictability of door-to-door trick-or-treating. Held in church or school parking lots, these events allow children to collect candy from creatively decorated cars without having to worry about traffic and safety.

Nursing homes: Lift your hearts this Halloween by visiting local nursing homes. Many of them invite trick-or-treating to bring joy to their residents, creating a possibility for intergenerational bonding. Plus, it’s a safer and quieter environment for younger children.

Boo at the Zoo: Zoos are getting scary too! With special Halloween-themed events, most local zoos offer family-friendly ways to enjoy the holiday. Expect animal displays, festive decor and loads of secure activities for kids – perfect for those looking for something outside the usual trick-or-treating routine.

Local Halloween parades or neighborhood block parties: Do you would like to feel the Halloween spirit without the door-to-door noise? Local parades and neighborhood events offer music, games and loads of treats. It’s a vibrant, communal way to rejoice while keeping track of the little ones.

Shopping malls/malls: Skip the streets and head to the mall. Many malls offer indoor trick-or-treating to keep children secure and shielded from the weather.

Churches: Many churches offer their very own version of Halloween, often called a Harvest Festival. These events feature games, food and fun in a friendly atmosphere, providing a laid-back, faith-based alternative to trick-or-treating.

School events: If trick-or-treating looks as if overkill, school-hosted Halloween parties can provide kids with a familiar, supervised space where they’ll exhibit their costumes, enjoy activities, and rejoice with friends – all under one roof.

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Safety Tips:

LED lights that attach to kid’s shoes or wrists: The key’s to make sure kids can see after dark. Attaching LED lights to your shoes or wrists is a easy and effective way to make them stand out, especially in busy or dimly lit areas.

Understanding the colours of kids’s buckets: While some may even see it as an aesthetic alternative, candy buckets of a certain color can represent various things for trick-or-treaters.

• Blue often symbolizes a child who could also be on the autism spectrum or non-verbal. The National Autism Association was formed “Blue Bucket” initiative. promote awareness and understanding.
• Purple often reflects children with epilepsy. Epilepsy Foundation “Purple Pumpkin Design” was created to raise awareness and protect children while trick-or-treating.
• Turquoise candy buckets symbolize allergies. Parents often give their children turquoise buckets to signal food allergies, especially peanut allergies. So when you see kids with these colourful buckets, consider giving them nut-free candy or non-food treats.

Confectionery inspections: It’s a Halloween tradition, but a very important one: Check all the candy before the kids dive in. Look out for signs of tampering, potential allergens, edibles containing THC or CBD, or anything unpackaged. Trust your instincts – and when unsure, throw it out.

Plan your route and emergency meeting locations: Plan your trick-or-treat route upfront, especially when you’re going to an unfamiliar area. Prepare a game plan and select a few emergency meeting places in case someone gets separated.

Alternative activities:

Movie Night: Are you feeling the door-to-door grind this 12 months? Host a Halloween movie marathon at home. From kid-friendly movies to spooky classics, it’s a good way to enjoy a cozy, spooky family night.

Family Game Night: Make it game night with a Halloween twist. Play classic board games or create your individual Halloween challenges. This is a fun, interactive alternative that engages the whole family.

Pumpkin carving party: Nothing says Halloween like pumpkin carving! Gather your pals and family, break out your carving tools, and see who can create the best jack-o’-lantern. It’s an inventive and fun way to immerse yourself in the spirit without leaving home.

Haunted houses and theme parks: For families with older children, haunted houses and theme parks are stuffed with Halloween attractions. Many of them offer “lighter” options like corn mazes or fall festivals, perfect for combining your vacation with a little adventure.

Drive-in movies or special theater shows: Drive-in theaters and local movie theaters are great places to show Halloween movies. Whether it’s a horror classic or a family favorite, seeing it on the big screen is what makes it special.
Ghost tours, cemetery walks and Renaissance fairs: If you would like something a little out of the abnormal, consider a ghost tour, a cemetery walk, and even a Renaissance fair with a spooky theme. This is an academic and awesome Halloween twist that older kids and parents will love.

Last night, President Joe Biden received a standing ovation during an emotional keynote address to the recipients of the 2022 and 2023 National Medals of Arts, which were presented along side the National Medals of the Humanities. The ceremony honored 39 artists and thought leaders, including stars corresponding to Spike Lee, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott,

“You broke barriers. You have blazed new trails and redefined culture,” President Biden said in his speech. “You are truth tellers, bridge builders, change seekers, and above all, you are masters of your craft who have made us a better America through everything you have done.”

While praising the artists within the room, Biden highlighted historic pioneers of the humanities and humanities, including opera singer and civil rights icon Marian Anderson. During his speech, Biden fought back tears as he told the story of Martin Luther King Jr. hearing Anderson sing on the radio during her 1939 performance on the Lincoln Memorial. At the time, Anderson was unable to perform on the Daughters of the American Revolution Constitution Hall due to her race, prompting then-First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to arrange for her to perform on the monument.

“He heard the voice of Marian Anderson standing in the sunshine of the Lincoln Memorial, within the shadow of Jim Crow, singing, ‘My country is you, sweet land of the free’ (…) Twenty-five years later, that a 10-year-old boy stood on those self same steps,” Biden continued , choking barely. “His name was Martin Luther King Jr. and announced the dream through the March on Washington. He asked Marian Anderson to perform again, and she did.

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Biden’s speech also touched on the upcoming presidential election, emphasizing the ability of girls.

“I know the power women have to achieve success, and I am helping the next generation of pioneers by proving that a woman can do everything a man can do and more. This includes being president of the United States of America,” he added.

The National Medal of Arts is taken into account “the highest award given to artists, patrons and groups of the arts” by the U.S. government and honors “exemplary individuals and organizations who have advanced the arts in America and inspired others through their outstanding achievements, support or patronage.” Likewise, the celebrated National Humanities Awards “recognize individuals or groups whose work has deepened the nation’s understanding of the humanities and broadened our citizens’ engagement with history, literature, languages, philosophy and other humanities subjects.”

The 2022 and 2023 award recipients include several Black honorees, including principal and educator Robin Harris, social justice activist and philanthropist Darren Walker, visual artists Carrie Mae Weems and Mark Bradford, filmmaker Spike Lee, and musical artists Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah.

“The power of art and matter. This matters more now than ever. “This is a very important time for the arts and humanities in America,” Biden said. “Extreme forces are banning books, trying to erase history, introducing simple disinformation… You are making history. You fight lies with truth.”

Ahead of his 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, Kendrick Lamar reflects on the personal narrative that informs his artistry. As a cover star 2024 issue of Harper Bazaar’s ‘Voices’The “Not Like Us” rapper was interviewed by fellow artist SZA for an article written by author Kaitlyn Greenidge. In an intimate conversation, the artist, affectionately known as “K-Dot”, discussed three elements which have contributed to his evolution and self-transformation in recent times.

“The power of honesty and being honest with myself, looking at the person sitting across from me and learning that vulnerability is not weakness,” Lamar said. “I’m probably still developing that last one.”

Although he often avoided dwelling on his childhood because “it was traumatic,” Lamar admits it was fundamental to understanding his relationship with vulnerability. The Compton rapper explained that his “tough” “warrior” father showed no weakness, as an alternative showing him the responsibilities of “being a man” by working and providing for his family. Lamar noted that his father “never showed any emotion that could uplift the person sitting across from him” – a trait he acquired naturally.

“I learned to experience it without knowing that I had (these) same characteristics,” he continued. “But in what I do, there is certainly no growth without vulnerability. If I had understood the power of sensitivity earlier, I could have gained more depth and greater connection with the guys who were around me in my neighborhood… Our parents never had the opportunities to express themselves the way they wanted. I always looked at us as a beacon of hope (for them).”

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While he’s widely known for the flexible lyricism heard on his albums, Lamar’s music also serves as an outlet to explore his sensibilities. In fact, the rapper reveals that some of his most vulnerable moments have happened in the public eye. In addition to crying during songs like “Mother I Sober,” Lamar says it was the first time he allowed himself to cry publicly on stage.

While performing with other West Coast rappers, Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, the star explained that he broke down in tears as the two veterans passed the “torch” to him on stage.

“A burst of energy just came out and I had to let it come out… My tears are online. And now that I look back, I love that moment. I love that this happened. Because it showed me how I could express myself in real time and see all my work actually come to life in that moment,” he added.

Even though hip-hop stays a male-dominated industry, the Compton resident says his musical journey has shown him how to balance his masculine and feminine energies.

“The more I delve into my music and the more I express myself… it’s this feminine energy. This is not the bravado I grew up with all the time. This is who I’m, I speak softly and I actually have to simply accept it,” he said, explaining how he sees music as a form of communication. “Because if my job is to speak, I actually have to have the opportunity to speak with everyone… and I am unable to try this if I’m behind a wall. I am unable to try this with my full manhood… That’s my superpower.