As my kids are choosing what they want to be dressed up as (right now it’s Mal from Descendants and Tigger from Winnie the Pooh), I start thinking about safety.
When I have questions about anything as it relates to my kids or parenting, I turn to the EveryParent App by the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County. Here you can also find some great events and things to do locally.
I logged on and searched “trick or treat” and found some useful information.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE APP!
More than twice as many children are killed while walking on Halloween between 4pm and 10pm than during the same hours of any other day of the year.
While your ghosts and goblins (or Disney characters) are trick or treating, it’s important to keep them safe. But first – when are where are we trick or treating?
When to Trick or Treat in Palm Beach County
I started south and called my way up – Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, etc. My first few phone calls ended in,
“There is no set time, you just go out on Halloween night.”
I’ve honestly never heard of this before. It’s my first time celebrating Halloween in Palm Beach County. So, I guess you can make up your own times, but I think I’m going to stick with 5pm – 7pm, like we did last year.
Halloween Parties in Palm Beach County
1. Palm Beach Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo
It’s Palm Beach Zoo’s 20th year of Boo at the Zoo. In addition to more than 125,000 pieces of candy that will be given out, you can enjoy themed animal encounters, get a scary airbrush tattoo, and dance along to the DJ.
- Palm Beach Zoo at 1301 Summit Boulevard
- Friday, October 26th – Sunday, October 28th from 10am to 4pm (Additional hours on Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 9pm)
2. Boynton Beach Pirate Fest and Mermaid Splash
Because my kids love mermaids and pirates, this makes the list! Dress in their best pirate and mermaid gear and enjoy live music, magic, and yes, pirates and mermaids.
- E. Ocean Avenue between NE Third Street and Federal Highway in Boynton Beach
- Saturday, October 27th from 11am to 9pm and Sunday, October 28th from 11am to 6pm
3. Cars & Coffee
Cars & Coffee Palm Beach is celebrating its annual Trunk or Treat Halloween-themed auto show with trick-or-treating for children. Expect thousands of unique vehicles, vendors, stores, giveaways, free coffee, car costumes, trick-or-treating with participating car owners and vendors, the new Mini-Me Cars & Coffee kids’ club with Palm Beach Classics, and more.
- 1751 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard, in West Palm Beach (near PetSmart)
- Sunday, October 28th from 8am to noon
4. Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill’s Halloween Bash
This one is in Broward County, but is too good not to mention here. There are more than $10,000 in prizes to be awarded at this costume contest this year. The winner takes home $5,000! ,
- 3115 NE 32nd Ave. in Fort Lauderdale
- Friday, October 26th at 8pm
Halloween Safety Tips for Kids
Children younger than 12-years-old should trick or treat with an adult. When you reach 13-years-old, you probably shouldn’t be trick or treating. If you do, you better step up your costume game and impress me when you ring my doorbell!
Remember to walk on the sidewalks. If there are no sidewalks, walk as close to the side of the road as you can. Also be sure to cross the street at corners and watch out for cars backing up or turning.
Try to wear light-colored costumes. It helps to have your children carry glow sticks or wear reflective tape or slap bands. My kids have keychains that act as mini strobe lights that I attach to their pumpkin buckets.
Halloween Safety Tips for Adults
Yes, adults need Halloween tips too… especially if you’re driving. Trick or treating usually happens on a weekday, so there is some driving in and out of neighborhoods while many head home from work for the day.
- Turn on your headlights earlier in the day to ensure kids and other adults can see you.
- Slow down in residential neighborhoods… like, slower than normal. Enter and exit driveways slowly as ghosts and goblins may be crossing behind you.
- Remember that just because you can see a child, it doesn’t mean the child sees you.
- Don’t drive distracted! Put down the smartphone and take out the earbuds. This one applies to every time you’re behind the wheel, but especially when many, many kids are out and about.
For more parenting tips, tricks, and strategies, click here to download the EveryParent App.
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