Fall Harvest Family Fun Night (an alternative to Halloween) #DollarTreeHoliday

Family game night is always a time of fun and memory-making. We began a Fall Family Fun Night tradition with our kids several years back as an alternative to typical Halloween festivities. It’s something we all look forward to every year. We keep things simple and focus on the fun.

While others are out in the cold getting their fill of candy treats or pulling pranks, we are all snug-a-bug playing games and watching light-hearted, old-time monster/goul-ish shows like The Addams Family and The Munsters, or maybe the classic It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown!

**Disclosure: I was compensated for this post. This post also contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.**

While I get a batch of hot cider simmering on the stove, one of the boys gets the fireplace going and the girls help  get our treats all set up. We pull out our favorite games and play the night away. Because it’s a night for treats, I have a stash of surprises for the winners of each round. Sometimes I have a big bucket with everything mixed in, allowing the winners to dig in a choose for themselves. This year I fixed up a basket of Grab Bags filled with candy and surprises like glow sticks. Throughout the evening, the kids will be able to grab their goodies to enjoy.

One year we played poker and used wrapped candies to ante up. I was surprised at how much everyone enjoyed this. Everyone began the night with the same number of a variety of sweets. After each hand, the winner of the round scooped up the kitty. When we had played several hands it was time to swap and trade so everyone could have a sampling of their favorites. That was a lot of fun, too!

We have had some variations on this theme over the years. When they were younger, or when the grandkids would join us, we chose games everyone could play together with a wide variety of ages. It might be charades, or pictionary, with a round or two of easy board games or Uno. In between games or rounds, I shout —  “Time for Trick and Treat!!!  You do a Trick for me and I’ll give you a Treat!!!”  The kids would sing a little ditty or stand on their head, maybe tell a joke or do a magic trick. I’ve had kids curl their tongue (can you?) or lick their elbow (you tried it, didn’t you?!) For every little trick or talent they collect a treat (candy, sticker, glow stick, etc) and by the end of the evening we’ve had fun, made memories and gathered enough treats to ration over several days.

To prepare for this year’s night of fun, I stopped by Dollar Tree to pick up a few things to help make the night more festive. I thought wrapping up our treats and prizes would make the evening even more special. The candy corn themed “loot bags” I found were perfect for what I had in mind. I scooped a handful of a variety of candy treats, added a glow stick for late night fun, and tied it up with a pretty ribbon. The treat bags stand up tall in a mesh basket, making just the right centerpiece for our table. With a tablecloth in just the right color, the spool-ribbon and a fall leaf garland running down the center of the table and our candy centerpiece, we have our Fall Harvest Family Fun Night all set.

If you are looking for an alternative to typical Halloween activities this year, rather than heading out in the cold pulling pranks or greedily filling up grocery bags full of candy, you might decide to stay in, snug and warm playing games and having fun together as a family.

Did you know you can shop Dollar Tree online? Whether you need to shop in bulk for a school party or a special event like a wedding, or whether you are shopping for yourself personally, Everything’s A $1 at Dollar Tree! and you can have it delivered to your door and stop in and shop in person.

 #DollarTreeHoliday

A few blogger friends of mine are also sharing their fall or Halloween projects after shopping at Dollar Tree. Be Inspired!

• • DIY Fall Table Centerpiece by Day to Day Adventures
  • DIY Halloween Picture Frames by Family Around the Table
  • DIY Minion or Emoji Halloween Costumes by The Tip Garden
  • DIY Spooky Halloween Centerpiece by Daily Dish Recipes
  • Halloween Pretzel Treats by Our Good Life
  • Fall Harvest Family Fun Night – An Alternative to Halloween by Apron Strings & Other Things
  • 4 Farm-Tastic Halloween Decorating Ideas by The Farmer’s Lamp