Trunk or Treat Ideas

I love Halloween! A few years ago, I made my then 6 month old son 6 DIY costumes! I’ve never actually been to a trunk or treat, but I am so intrigued with all of the creativity. People use movies (The Avengers), TV shows (The Big Bang Theory), books (I Spy), animals (frog) games (Candy Land), and even objects (toaster) as inspiration for their decorating their trunks and costumes. Even if you don’t trunk or treat, maybe you can use one of these ideas as a family costume this year. Below is a list of 37 clever trunk or treat ideas.

What is trunk or treat?

Trunk or treating is when a group of adults decorate the trunks of their cars and park them together in the same lot. Trunk or treating usually happens in a church or school parking lot. Kids dress in costumes and run from one car to the next gathering treats from trunks of cars.

Movie themed Trunk or Treat Ideas

1. Toy Story

Did you know the first Toy Story came out in 1995? True! Use cardboard to make Andy’s bed and use toys from the kiddos closets to represent the characters from Toy Story. Gabrielle sent in this idea via C.R.A.F.T. facebook.

2. Star Wars

If you have a houseful of Star Wars lovers, this trunk or treat scene comes from Hoth the Frozen Planet is perfect. This idea also sent in from Gabrielle.

3. Angry birds

The first Angry Birds game was released in 2009, and the Angry Birds movie was made in 2016. Kids love that this trunk or treat is interactive! For more details, check out Satchels of Gold.

4. Angry birds

Here is another version of a trunk or treat with Angry Birds where a table was set up in front of the trunk to house the building blocks. For more details, check out 10 23 Designs.

5. Wizard of Oz

A rainbow, the Emerald City, a field of poppies, and of course a yellow brick road… this Wizard of Oz trunk or treat is perfect! Details at Buy Me Love.

6. Yellow brick road

A simpler version of Wizard of Oz is done here with an Emerald City, rainbow, and the yellow brick road. Details at nc & beyond.

7. Star Wars

Turn a trash can into R2-D2 and dress up as Darth Vader for a Star Wars inspired trunk or treat. Details at Trunk or Treat Decorating.

8. The Avengers

This trunk or treat is as simple as hanging an American Flag and a sign that says, “Avengers Headquarters”. You will need a Captain American, Hulk, Thor, and Super Girl! Details at Niebuhrs.

9. Mary Poppins

The key to a Mary Poppins trunk or treat is awesome costumes and a “Supercalifragilelisticexpialicocious” sign! Image via Christ Place.

10. Grease

All you need are some hanging records, red and silver balloons, and an all black outfit! Image via University Baptist Church.

TV show themed trunk or treats

11. The Magic School Bus and Ms. Frizzle

Details at All the Dots.

12. Sesame Street

C is for cookie and candy

13. Smurfs

14. Charlie Brown and the great pumpkin patch

15. Charlie Brown

Details and lots more pictures at Lynlee.

16. The Big Bang Theory

Details at Niebuhrs.

17. Little red riding hood

The granny curtain, wooden sign, and awesome costumes make this Little Red Riding hood trunk or treat extra special. Image via Christ Place.

Animal themed trunk or treat ideas

18. Black cat

Image via Gunner’s Pix.

19. Frog

Grab a green tarp, cardboard, and paint to turn your car into a giant frog. Image via Pinterest.

20. Zoo

If your house is full of stuffed animals, this is the perfect trunk or treat for you! Add a simple gate, a little straw, and zoo keeper for an adorable Zoo inspired trunk or treat. Details at Project Little Me.

Easy trunk or treat ideas

21. Mouth and tongue car

All you need for this trunk or treat is white card board and red butcher paper! Oh and of course candy to fill up the mouth. Image via St. Josephs Catholic Church.

22. Slumber party

Gather all the bean bags, pajamas, blankets, and stuffed animals for the coziest trunk or treat yet!

23. Camp out

Add a small kids tent to the back of your car and make a pretend campfire with tissue apper and you are all set for a camp out trunk or treat. I love that the candy bowl was disguised as the center of the fire. Details at Jeannie Marie.

24. Crime scene and CSI

All you really need for this trunk or treat idea is yellow crime scene tape. Add police officer costumes or FBI costumes for extra flair. Details at Trunk or Treat Decorating.

25. Drive in Movie

Add a TV to the trunk of the car and play a family friendly movie like The Little Rascals. Set up toy cars and make a snack bar if you’re feeling fancy. Details at Jeannie Marie.

26. Bath time

A shower curtain, bathrobes, and tons of rubber duckies make this trunk or treat easy and fun! Details at Christ Place.

27. Spider web

Image via Connection Church.28. Toaster

Image via Rand Aadams.

Religious themed trunk or treats

29. Jonah and the whale

Details at Simply Mommy.

30. Noah’s Ark

Details at Simply Mommy.

Decade themed trunk or treat ideas

31. 20’s Decade

Flappers, boas, and tinsel galore make the twenties come alive! Details at Satchels of Gold.

32. Cavemen

This cavemen trunk or treat scene is complete with a stuffed bunny roasting over a fire. Details at Satchels of Gold.

33. Egyptian

The pumpkin headed Sphinx is incredible! Image via Stevie Lee.

34. Dragons, Knights, and Queens

A cardboard castle complete with medieval costumes make this a simple trunk or treat scene to recreate. Details at Satchels of Gold.

35. Aladdin

Details at Satchels of Gold.

Game themed trunk or treat ideas

36. Candy Land

Image via Pinterest.

37. I spy Game

Simply throw every toy inside your house into the trunk and add an “I Spy…” sign. Doesn’t get much easier than that! Image via Trunk or Treat Decorating.

38. Toss Game

Here’s a simple idea that kids are sure to love. Add a board with a face to the trunk of your car and let kids toss bean bags into its mouth. Details at The Hall Whanau.