In Italy, Halloween grows a little bigger every year. Shops fill with pumpkins, schools organize costume days, and children start talking about “trick or treat” with sparkling eyes. Yet many parents still wonder what it actually means. Is it just about scary costumes and spooky decorations? Not at all. In the places where the tradition was born, trick-or-treating is a joyful, family-friendly evening where children wander through the neighborhood collecting sweets, showing off their costumes, and learning small lessons about independence, courage, and kindness.
Costumes: Anything Goes
Let’s start with the costumes, because that’s where the fun begins. In Italy, we often imagine Halloween as a parade of witches, zombies, and skeletons. But in the United States and other countries where Halloween is deeply rooted, it’s really just an excuse to dress up and have fun. Anything goes. Kids dress up as superheroes, princesses, cartoon characters, animals, astronauts, or anything their imagination dreams up. It’s much closer to Carnevale than to a horror movie. A child who loves Elsa can be Elsa; a child who loves Spiderman can swing through the night in red and blue. There’s no rule that says Halloween has to be scary—the real magic is in pretending.
Homemade Costumes Are the Best
You don’t need to buy an expensive outfit to join in. In fact, the most memorable costumes are usually the ones made at home. A cardboard crown, a sheet turned into a ghost, or a painted box that becomes a robot can spark endless creativity. Kids love helping make their costumes—cutting, gluing, painting, and imagining. It becomes part of the anticipation, a way to live the celebration before it even begins. Homemade costumes also carry a special kind of pride. When your child puts on something they helped create, they feel ownership over the character they’re becoming. And for parents, it’s a small, messy joy: a glitter-covered afternoon of laughter and imagination.
Add Some Glow
Once the costume is ready, think about light. Trick-or-treating happens after sunset, and the streets can be dark. Costumes that glow or sparkle are not only exciting for children but also a smart safety choice. Add glow sticks to a witch’s broom, wrap fairy lights around a cape, or choose a pumpkin bucket that lights up. Even small touches—a reflective bracelet or a tiny flashlight under a hat—make a big difference. Kids love glowing in the dark, and parents love being able to spot them easily in a crowd.
Bring a Bag for Candy
No trick-or-treat outing is complete without a bag for candy.A small backpack, a decorated paper bag, or a reused tote can become the perfect candy carrier. Some families like to match the bag to the costume—a cauldron for a witch, a treasure chest for a pirate, or a magic satchel for a fairy. The important thing is that it’s comfortable to carry and big enough to hold a night’s worth of treats.
Trick or Treat with Friends
Trick-or-treating is best done in a group. Going from house to house with classmates or neighbors makes it more exciting and also safer. Parents can accompany the kids together, while the children race ahead, compare costumes, and laugh over their growing candy collections. Walking in a group builds a little community spirit—something Italian neighborhoods already do so well. When you see a bunch of kids running down a decorated street shouting “trick or treat!”, you realize Halloween is really about connection.
Should Parents Dress Up?
Yessss! Dress up too!
Have a Chat Before You Go
Before heading out, have a quick family chat. Kids feel more confident when they know what to expect. Explain that sometimes there might be a short line of children at a door and it’s polite to wait. Encourage them to greet people, say “trick or treat!” with a smile, and always remember to say thank you. Remind them that it’s good manners to take only one candy unless someone offers more. And agree that all the sweets will be checked at home before eating—just to make sure everything is wrapped and safe. It’s not about fear; it’s about teaching patience, kindness, and self-control in a natural way.
Go with Them, But Give Them Space
Younger kids should always be accompanied by an adult, but part of the magic of trick-or-treating is the feeling of doing something “by myself.” Walk nearby but let them take the lead—knocking, greeting, saying thank you. These little acts build confidence and courage. Older kids can go a few steps ahead with their friends while parents follow at a distance. Halloween is a lovely way for children to practice independence within safe limits.
Choosing the Right Houses
If you’re not sure where to go, the clues are easy to spot. Houses or shops with pumpkins, cobwebs, or lights on are usually participating. If a house or store is dark and quiet, skip it—that’s a good sign they’re not giving out candy. In many Italian towns, including Lecce, local businesses and community groups are starting to organize trick-or-treat routes and events. Check your local parent chats or school groups; you’ll often find a map or list of streets to visit.
A Fun Halloween Activity Before You Head Out
Before the trick-or-treating begins, make the evening even more special with a little family ritual. Carving pumpkins is classic, but if that feels too messy, try painting them instead—bright colors, funny faces, or patterns. You can also bake something simple together, like sugar cookies shaped like ghosts or bats, or popcorn balls rolled in orange sprinkles. Even making a “spooky-but-happy” playlist turns getting ready into a celebration. These before-the-event moments—laughing, baking, and sneaking a bit of candy—often become the sweetest memories.
Come Trick or Treat with Us in Lecce
And if you happen to be in Lecce, come trick-or-treating with us at the Museo dei Bambini! Every year we turn the museum and nearby streets into a magical, glowing world of costumes, lights, and laughter. Kids can explore, collect sweets, and meet other families discovering this cheerful tradition. It’s not scary—just full of creativity, color, and fun.
More Than Candy
At first glance, trick-or-treating seems to be all about candy—but the real reward is the experience itself. Kids practice courage by knocking on unfamiliar doors. They learn politeness and patience, they laugh with friends, and they feel a sense of belonging. For parents, it’s a rare chance to slow down and see childhood in a different light: one night when imagination takes over and everything feels possible.
When you get home, the fun continues. The children dump their candy on the table, sort and trade, and tell stories about which house gave the biggest chocolate bar. It’s messy, loud, and wonderful. You might even find yourself remembering your own childhood excitement—even if Halloween wasn’t part of your story yet.
A Few Practical Reminders
October evenings can be chilly, so layer warm clothes under costumes. Bring a flashlight or use your phone light on darker streets. Start before sunset and finish by around 8:30 p.m., especially with younger kids.
When you get home, take a few minutes to check all the candies together. Make sure everything is sealed and safe before anyone starts eating. This little pause is a great opportunity to talk about self-control—how waiting makes treats even sweeter—and about enjoying candy in moderation. Halloween isn’t about eating everything at once; it’s about savoring the fun, trading favorites with friends, and learning to make small, thoughtful choices.
And of course, take photos—these are the moments that become treasured family memories, snapshots of pure joy.
Trick or Treat, Italian Style
Trick-or-treating doesn’t need to look exactly like in American movies. You don’t need rows of decorated houses or perfectly carved pumpkins. Even a few generous neighbors, a couple of decorated shops, and a small group of happy kids can make the night magical. Halloween, at its heart, isn’t about fear or excess—it’s about imagination, community, and joy.
So this year, open your door, light a candle, hang a pumpkin in the window. Dress up, laugh, walk through the night with your kids and their friends. Whether you’re in Lecce or anywhere in Italy, let Halloween be a night of play, discovery, and wonder. When you see those glowing little figures heading home, candy bags swinging, you’ll understand: trick-or-treating is really a celebration of kindness, confidence, and connection—the sweetest treats of all.
