Halloween is a blast for kids, but it can drain your wallet fast. Between costumes, candy, decorations, and school events, costs pile up. The good news: you can celebrate a spooky, fun-filled Halloween without spending a fortune.
Here are 29 ways parents can save money this Halloween:
Costumes
- Swap costumes with friends or neighbors.
- Buy used at thrift stores or online marketplaces.
- DIY outfits from clothes and items you already have.
- Focus on accessories like hats, wigs, or face paint.
- Buy after Halloween for huge discounts.
- If someone must have a special costume, try renting instead of buying new.
Candy & Treats
We checked the prices at our local Walmart to see what’s happening with Halloween this year. Looks like a bag of 200 pieces of chocolate is $24.96, which comes out to about 12.5 cents per piece. So, if you’re giving out 2 pieces per child, you’ll be spending about a quarter per trick-or-treater, and you can hand out candy to 100 kiddos.
Turns out there are other things you can buy that aren’t candy that can be about that price, or maybe even a little cheaper. Be sure you check the rebate apps like Ibotta or Fetch for cash back. For example, at that same Walmart, I can get a 12-pack of pudding cups for $3.37, which is about 28 cents per kid. I was able to find a coupon that brought that price down to less than .20 per. Not too shabby.
- Buy candy early to avoid price spikes.
- Shop in bulk at warehouse clubs or online.
- Pick off-brand candy because most kids don’t care.
- Mix in small non-candy treats: stickers, glow sticks, temporary tattoos.
- Share candy costs with neighbors.
- Limit how many pieces each child gets.
- Check store rewards programs for hidden discounts.
- Look at discount stores and clearance sections for deals. Try stores like Ollies, Big Lots, etc.
- Follow social media influencers who specialize in finding grocery deals.
School & Community Parties
- Bring low-cost items like cups, napkins, or homemade snacks.
- Reuse decorations from past years.
- Avoid prepackaged treats and choose simple homemade options.
- Coordinate with other parents to split costs.
Home Decorations
- DIY with paper, cardboard, string lights, or natural items.
- Visit the thrift stores in your area
- Buy decorations after Halloween on clearance.
- Use natural décor like pumpkins, leaves, and branches.
- Limit outdoor lights to save on electricity.
Halloween Family Fun Without Extra Spending
- Stay local to save on gas.
- Repurpose bags or buckets instead of buying new.
- Host a potluck dinner with neighbors before trick-or-treating.
- Stream a Halloween movie at home.
- Make it special with free activities:
- Costume parades at home or around the block
- Ghost stories or Halloween-themed books
- Popcorn and hot cocoa after trick-or-treating
- Spooky scavenger hunts using items you already have
Sher Bailey has been a dedicated voice for the Love and Marriage blog for over a decade, sharing practical advice on everything from stretching a grocery budget to finding the best homeschooling resources. She writes from the unique perspective of a full-time traveler, living and working on the road in her motorhome alongside her husband and their two cats. Sher’s diverse body of work is fueled by her belief that with the right tools and a little creativity, any challenge can be turned into an opportunity for growth and adventure.
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