Church Trunk or Treat Ideas: 40 Themes for Your Ward (Plus a Simple Planning Plan)

By Ward Waivers Team · October 21, 2026 · Updated October 21, 2026 · 11 min read

A church trunk or treat is a Halloween-season ward activity where members decorate the trunks of parked cars and hand out treats to children in the church parking lot. The best themes are simple, family-friendly, and quick to set up. Below are 40 themes, a setup plan, and safety tips for ward leaders.

Halloween is close, so this guide is built for speed: forty trunk themes, a parking lot plan, safety rules, and an announcement you can copy into the ward newsletter tonight.

What is a church trunk or treat?

A trunk or treat is a community Halloween event held in a parking lot instead of door to door. Families park in rows, open their trunks or tailgates, decorate them around a theme, and children walk from car to car collecting treats. In many wards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the trunk or treat is paired with a chili cook-off or potluck dinner in the cultural hall.

Wards love it because it is contained, well lit, and easy for young families. Parents can see their children the whole time, and neighbors who are not members of the Church often feel comfortable coming.

The General Handbook lists "celebrations of special occasions, such as holidays" as an example of a Church activity (General Handbook 20.1). A trunk or treat fits that purpose well when it stays uplifting and simple.

What are the best church trunk or treat themes? (40 ideas)

Each theme below lists what you need and how hard it is to pull off. "Easy" means you can decorate in under 30 minutes with things most families already own.

Scripture and gospel themes (1 to 10)

Noah's Ark. Stuffed animals two by two, a cardboard ark front, and a rainbow made of streamers. Hand out animal crackers alongside candy. Easy.
Jonah and the Whale. Turn the open trunk into a whale mouth with blue and gray poster board and a paper "Jonah" inside. Easy.
David and Goliath. A tall cardboard Goliath on one side, a small David with a sling on the other. Kids can toss soft "stones" (pom-poms) at a target for a treat. Medium.
Daniel in the Lions' Den. Stuffed lions, a cardboard cave, and a sign: "Dare to be a Daniel." Easy.
The Brother of Jared's Stones. Line the trunk with dark fabric and battery tea lights or glow sticks to show the shining stones. Glow sticks double as a treat. Easy.
Lehi's Tree of Life. A paper tree with white "fruit" (marshmallows or white chocolate) and an iron rod made from a painted pool noodle. Medium.
Captain Moroni's Title of Liberty. A homemade banner, a cardboard shield, and a "strip of liberty" kids can sign. Easy.
The Stripling Warriors. Cardboard helmets and shields; let kids "enlist" by saying a favorite Primary song line. Medium.
Nephi's Ship. Brown paper planks, a sail from a white sheet, and ocean-blue tablecloth waves. Easy.
Light the World. Strings of lights and a simple message: "Be a light." Good for wards that want a quiet, reverent trunk. Easy.

Primary song and Church-life themes (11 to 16)

"Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree." Pink tissue "blossoms" glued to branches and popcorn bags as the treat. Easy.
"Book of Mormon Stories" campfire. A fake campfire made of tissue paper and a flashlight, with camp chairs and s'mores-themed treats. Easy.
Pioneer Handcart. A wagon or hand-pulled cart, bonnets, and straw. Pairs nicely with the youth's trek stories. Medium.
Missionary Trunk. Name tags, a world map, and treats "from around the world." Easy.
Temple Open House. A cardboard temple silhouette and white lights. Keep it respectful and simple. Medium.
Ward Library Throwback. Felt-board characters and old picture packets (if your ward has them to spare) for a nostalgic, funny trunk adults love. Easy.

Family-favorite movie and storybook themes (17 to 26)

Toy Story. Cardboard "Andy's room" clouds, a cowboy hat, and a toy space ranger. Easy.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Paper fruit slices and a green caterpillar made of balloons. Medium.
Where the Wild Things Are. Paper palm fronds and monster eyes; let kids do a "wild rumpus" dance for a treat. Easy.
Finding Nemo / Under the Sea. Blue tablecloth, paper fish, and Swedish Fish candy. Easy.
Candy Land. Pool-noodle candy canes, a giant paper game path, and colored squares. Medium.
Winnie the Pooh. A honey pot, bees on pipe cleaners, and honey sticks (check for allergies, see below). Easy.
Dr. Seuss. Red-and-white stripes, green paper eggs, and fish bowls. Easy.
Peter Rabbit's Garden. Fake vegetables, a little fence, and carrot-shaped treat bags. Easy.
Wizard of Oz. A yellow brick road out of paper rectangles and a rainbow arch. Medium.
Superhero Headquarters. Capes, city skyline cutouts, and "power-up" treats. Easy.

Fun and silly themes (27 to 34)

Construction Zone. Orange cones, toy trucks, and "dirt cups" (chocolate pudding with crushed cookies). Easy.
Farm Stand. Hay bales, pumpkins, and a chalkboard "price list" where everything costs a smile. Easy.
Camping Trip. A small tent in the trunk, lanterns, and trail mix bags (nut-free versions recommended). Easy.
Space Mission. Black fabric, glow-in-the-dark stars, and astronaut ice cream if you can find it. Medium.
Bee Hive. A paper hive and yellow-and-black streamers. A nod to Church history for adults who remember the Beehive class name. Easy.
Pirate Ship. A skull-free pirate flag, treasure chest of gold-wrapped chocolate coins, and a cardboard plank. Easy.
Dinosaur Dig. Plastic dinosaurs in a sand bin; kids "dig" for a treat. Medium.
Monster Mouth (Friendly Version). Big cartoon teeth around the trunk opening and googly eyes. Easy.

Interactive trunks (35 to 40)

Bean Bag Toss. A painted board with holes; every child wins. Easy.
Pumpkin Ring Toss. Small pumpkins and glow-stick rings. Easy.
Fishing Booth. A blanket hung over the trunk; kids "fish" with a pole and a helper clips a treat on the line. Easy.
Photo Booth Trunk. A frame, props, and a sign inviting families to take their own photos. Easy.
Story Time Trunk. A reader in a camp chair shares a two-minute story every few minutes. Easy.
Hymn Name That Tune. Hum a Primary song; kids guess it for a treat. Easy.

How do you plan a ward trunk or treat?

Get approval and a date. Talk with the bishopric or ward council and put the activity on the ward calendar early. Reserve the building and parking lot if you will use the cultural hall.
Pick a time that fits Church guidelines. Church activities should not be held on Sunday, and no Church activities should be held after 6:00 p.m. on Monday nights (General Handbook 20.5.3).
Recruit trunks with a simple sign-up. Ask families to commit a few days ahead so you know how many rows you need. Aim to have more trunks than you think.
Map the parking lot. Choose a section away from the main entrance, block it off with cones, and arrange cars in a U-shape or rows so children never walk between moving vehicles.
Plan food and allergy-friendly options. Ask a few trunks to hand out non-food treats such as stickers, pencils, or glow sticks.
Assign greeters and a safety lead. Someone should watch the entrance, keep cars from moving once the event starts, and know where the first-aid kit is.
Open with prayer. The General Handbook asks that all activities be opened with prayer. A quick gathering prayer before the trunks open works well.
Clean up together. Assign a few families to sweep the lot for wrappers before everyone leaves.

What are the most important safety rules for a trunk or treat?

Trunk or treats are low-risk, but a few habits keep them that way.

No moving cars once children arrive. Have all trunk drivers park at least 15 minutes before the start, then freeze the lot.
Lighting. Ask for battery lanterns or string lights in every trunk so children are visible.
Costume guidelines. Remind families ahead of time that costumes should be family-friendly. Many wards ask that masks be removable so leaders can recognize children.
Food allergies. Encourage a teal pumpkin or sign on trunks that offer non-food treats.
Two adults for youth helpers. If youth are running a game booth, the General Handbook's rule that at least two adults be present at activities with children and youth still applies (General Handbook 20.7.1).
First aid. Keep a basic kit and a flashlight at the greeter table.

Do you need permission slips for a trunk or treat?

Usually not. The General Handbook requires written parental consent for Church activities that include an overnight stay, lengthy travel, or higher than ordinary risks (General Handbook 20.7.4). A ward trunk or treat in your own parking lot, with parents present, normally does not meet that bar.

Where forms do help is with youth-run add-ons: a haunted (but tame) maze the youth build, a hayride on a trailer, or an off-site pumpkin patch trip beforehand. For anything like that, you can text parents one Ward Waivers link. They read the details and sign on their phone, and you see who still needs to sign. It does not replace any official form your bishop or stake president asks you to use. Set up your activity.

How can you make a trunk or treat welcoming to the community?

A trunk or treat is one of the easiest ways for a ward to welcome neighbors. A few ideas:

Print simple flyers and let the missionaries and youth hand them out in the neighborhood.
Post the event on your ward's approved social channels with the address and parking instructions.
Station friendly greeters at the entrance who can answer questions about the Church without pressure.
Keep a guest table with a sign-in sheet for anyone who wants to hear about future ward activities.

Comparison: trunk or treat formats

Format	Best for	Setup time	Notes
Classic trunk rows	Most wards	30 to 60 min	Easiest to supervise
Trunk or treat + chili cook-off	Wards wanting a full evening	2 to 3 hours	Pair with our ward chili cook-off guide
Indoor "hall or treat"	Rainy or cold areas	1 to 2 hours	Use tables instead of trunks in the cultural hall
Fall festival with booths	Larger wards or stakes	Half day	See church fall festival ideas

How do you plan for every age group?

Group	Role at the trunk or treat	Tips
Toddlers and Sunbeams	Trick-or-treat first, in a "little ones" lane	Start 15 minutes early for them; parents walk with them
Primary (ages 4 to 11)	Main trick-or-treaters; costume parade	No masks that block vision; walk, do not run, between trunks
Youth (11 to 18)	Run game trunks, a tame maze, face painting, the cocoa table	Two adults with any youth-run area
Adults and seniors	Host trunks, greet neighbors, judge "best trunk"	Give seniors a seated trunk near the doors

Sample announcement and neighbor invite

Ward newsletter or group text

Trunk or treat is Friday, October 30, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the church parking lot (chili inside at 5:30). Want to host a trunk? Sign up by Sunday. Costumes welcome, no masks for adults, and please park facing out with your trunk open. Bring a friend!

Neighbor flyer

Our congregation is hosting a free trunk or treat for families in the neighborhood. Friday, October 30, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., at [address]. Candy, games, and hot cocoa. Everyone is welcome.

Printable trunk host checklist

☐ Car parked facing out, engine off, keys out
☐ Decorations secured (nothing on fire, no exposed cords across walkways)
☐ Candy, plus a nut-free or non-food option
☐ Flashlight or battery lanterns
☐ Trash bag for wrappers
☐ Stay with your trunk until the end
☐ Help clean the lot

Frequently asked questions

What is a good theme for a church trunk or treat?

Good church trunk or treat themes are simple and recognizable: Noah's Ark, Jonah and the Whale, the Brother of Jared's shining stones, a pioneer handcart, or a classic storybook like The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Interactive trunks such as a bean bag toss or fishing booth are especially popular with young children.

Can a ward hold a trunk or treat on a Monday night?

Generally no. The General Handbook says no Church activities, meetings, or baptismal services should be held after 6:00 p.m. on Mondays, and Church buildings are closed on Monday nights. Most wards choose a weekday evening or a Saturday near Halloween.

How many trunks do you need for a ward trunk or treat?

There is no rule. Count the children you expect and plan enough trunks that lines stay short. Many wards ask every family with a car to participate and keep a few "extra candy" volunteers ready in case attendance is higher than expected.

Do we need permission slips for a trunk or treat?

A trunk or treat on church grounds with parents present usually does not require written permission. Written consent is required for activities with an overnight stay, lengthy travel, or higher than ordinary risks. Collect forms for youth-run add-ons like hayrides or off-site trips.

What can we hand out besides candy?

Stickers, pencils, glow sticks, bubbles, small notepads, and bookmarks are popular non-food options. They help children with food allergies enjoy the night too.

How do we keep a trunk or treat Christ-centered without making it a lesson?

Choose a few scripture-themed trunks, open with a prayer, and invite the Primary children to sing one song before the trunks open. Keep the rest of the evening light and fun.

Can youth help run the trunk or treat?

Yes. Youth can run game trunks, greet guests, and help clean up. Make sure at least two adults are present with any group of youth helpers, as the General Handbook requires for activities with children and youth.

Ward Waivers is an independent service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These resources provide general organizational information, not legal advice. Follow current Church guidance, local leader direction, and any required official forms.