These trunk or treat ideas turn any car trunk into a mini Halloween stage — and most of them cost less than $25. Trunk or treat events, where families decorate open car trunks in a parking lot and hand out candy, are hugely popular at churches, schools and community centers because they are safe, walkable and fun for little kids. Below are 30 easy and cheap trunk or treat ideas, plus a supply checklist and tips to win the decorating contest.
Cheap and Easy Trunk or Treat Ideas
1. Monster Mouth
Cover the trunk opening with teeth cut from white poster board along the top and bottom edges and add two giant paper eyes on the rear window.
Budget tip: poster board and tape from the dollar store.
2. Pumpkin Patch
Fill the trunk with hay (or yellow tissue paper), small pumpkins and a sign that says “Pick your treat.”
Budget tip: use real pumpkins you already bought for carving; see our pumpkin carving ideas.
3. Spider Web Cave
Stretch stretchy cobweb across the trunk opening and hang plastic spiders at different heights.
Budget tip: one bag of stretch web covers a whole trunk.
4. Candy Land
Rainbow streamers, giant paper lollipops made from paper plates, and a “Welcome to Candy Land” sign.
Budget tip: paper plates, cellophane and dowels cost only a few dollars.
5. Under the Sea
Blue tablecloths, paper fish, bubble-wrap “jellyfish” and a treasure chest full of candy.
Budget tip: use recycled bubble wrap and cardboard.
6. Witch’s Kitchen
A cauldron, jars labelled “Eye of Newt” and “Bat Wings,” and a broom leaning against the bumper.
Budget tip: dollar-store jars with printed labels.
7. Haunted House
Cut cardboard windows and shutters, add purple lights and a paper ghost peeking out.
Budget tip: a string of battery lights makes it pop at dusk.
8. Minecraft Blocks
Cover boxes in green and brown squares to recreate grass blocks and a Creeper face.
Budget tip: collect free boxes from grocery stores.
9. Camping Trip
A small tent, a pretend campfire made from logs and orange tissue, and s’mores-themed treats.
Budget tip: borrow camping gear you already own.
10. Dinosaur Land
Green crepe paper “jungle,” toy dinos and an erupting volcano made from a cardboard cone.
Budget tip: kids’ toy dinosaurs from home.
Trunk or Treat Ideas for Church Events
- Noah’s Ark – a cardboard ark with pairs of stuffed animals.
- Light of the World – strings of lights and a sign with John 8:12.
- Fishers of Men – a fishing theme with a toy net and “catch a treat” game.
- Harvest Blessings – hay bales, corn stalks and apples.
- David and Goliath – a tall cardboard giant and bean-bag “stone” toss.
Add a short scripture card to each treat bag – our short bible verses are perfect.
Movie and Character Trunk or Treat Ideas
- Toy Story – Andy’s room with a cloud-print backdrop.
- Monsters, Inc. – colorful closet doors and a “Scream Floor” sign.
- Hocus Pocus – spell book, candles and three witch hats.
- Bluey – blue and orange cut-outs and games from the show.
- Super Mario – green pipes, question-mark boxes and gold coins.
- Harry Potter – floating candles and a “Platform 9 ¾” sign.
- Frozen – white lights, snowflakes and a paper Olaf.
Match your costume to your trunk with our Halloween costume ideas.
Interactive Trunk or Treat Game Ideas
- Pumpkin ring toss using glow-stick rings.
- Bean-bag toss into a monster mouth.
- Candy corn guessing jar.
- Mini bowling with toilet-paper-roll “mummy pins”.
- Fishing booth – a magnet on a string to “catch” treats.
- Photo booth trunk with a frame and props.
- Joke for a treat – kids tell a joke to earn candy (use our Halloween jokes).
- Spin-the-wheel prize trunk.
Trunk or Treat Supply Checklist
- Plastic tablecloths or felt to cover the trunk floor
- Painter’s tape (safe on car paint) and zip ties
- Battery-operated string lights or LED candles (no open flames)
- Poster board, markers and scissors
- A folding chair and a big candy bowl
- Allergy-friendly treats or non-food items (stickers, glow sticks)
- A teal pumpkin to show you have non-food treats for kids with allergies
Tips to Win the Trunk or Treat Contest
- Commit to one theme – costumes, decor and treats should match.
- Light it up – events often run into dusk, so lights make you stand out.
- Add sound – a small speaker with themed music.
- Make it interactive – a game keeps kids coming back.
- Set up early – do a test run in your driveway.
Final Thoughts on Trunk or Treat Ideas
The best trunk or treat ideas are simple, bright and interactive. Pick one of these trunk or treat ideas, add lights and a game, and you will have kids lining up all night. Save this list of trunk or treat ideas so you can plan again next year.
Trunk or Treat Ideas FAQ
What is trunk or treat?
An event where people decorate the trunks of parked cars and hand out candy, giving kids a safe, compact alternative to door-to-door trick-or-treating.
How much candy do I need for trunk or treat?
Plan for about 150–300 pieces for a medium-sized event; ask organizers for an expected head count.
What is the cheapest trunk or treat idea?
The monster mouth and spider web cave cost under $10 with dollar-store supplies.
For allergy-friendly treat ideas, see FARE’s Teal Pumpkin Project. Planning a party too? See our Halloween party ideas.
