If you're gearing up to partake in a Trunk-or-Treat event, you need to make sure your car is ready for the occasion. The idea behind Trunk-or-Treat is simple: All you have to do is bring your car to a central location (usually a parking lot) with other vehicles. Then, everyone opens their trunks and walks around from car to car to admire the decorations and get some candy. Trunk-or-Treat is a fun, safe way to get together with family, friends, or community members and celebrate spooky season.
If you want to be one of the most creative cars decorated for Halloween, Party City has you covered with these 12 ideas.
Benefits of Decorating Cars for Halloween
Trunk-or-Treat and car decorating during the Halloween season is a great way to make memories with your friends and show off your creativity. There are tons of opportunities to get creative when decorating your trunk, whether you want to decorate based on your favorite Halloween movie or follow a skeleton theme. Plus, you can bring chairs and sit outside your car to welcome trick-or-treaters. This is a great way to make new friends while getting into the Halloween spirit.
Popular Halloween Car Decoration Ideas
From spooky graveyards to sports team themes, the possibilities are endless for Trunk-or-Treat. Here are 12 of our most creative ideas for decorating your car this Halloween.
1. Skeleton BBQ
Create the perfect spooky atmosphere by turning your trunk and car into a BBQ with skeletons as your guests. Use plastic skeletons and pose them as they enjoy the festivities on lawn chairs or sitting on the edge of your car. You can even bring a portable grill and set it up so the skeletons are skewing kebabs! Make one skeleton the grill master and tie an apron around them, then have plenty of other guests seated around the scene. Visitors will love this light-hearted approach to the holiday.
2. Film and Television-Inspired Cars
Pay homage to your favorite movies or TV shows by recreating iconic scenes or characters as your Halloween car decorations. From the Ghostbusters vehicle to the eerie world of Stranger Things, let your imagination run wild while creating a car decor masterpiece. Shop for a themed banner to hang, add some themed balloons, and set up a speaker to play the soundtrack of your favorite Halloween movie.
3. Haunted Houses and Spooky Graveyards
Transform your car into a haunted house or creepy graveyard with skeletons, ghosts, and tombstones. Use Halloween decorations like fake cobwebs and eerie lighting to make your mobile graveyard extra spooky. You can even set up a fog machine to make your setup more realistic.
4. Classic Halloween Characters
Treat your car to a monster makeover by decorating it with classic Halloween characters such as witches, vampires, werewolves, and mummies. These timeless Halloween decorations always appeal to fans of old-school horror. You can also shop for animatronics decorations, like witches that light up or say phrases when guests approach your car.
5. Adding Lights and Special Effects
If you want to add technology to your setup, illuminate your trunk and car with LED lights, strobe lights, or fog machines. Look for yellow, green, or purple lights to fit the Halloween season. Then, add a fog machine to make the scene extra freaky. In a few quick steps, you can create a mysterious atmosphere that tempts trick-or-treaters.
6. Sports Teams
The fall season also means it’s time for football, so if you want to show off your team spirit, consider a sports theme for your Halloween car decorations. Find team banners and sports balloons and add a spooky twist to your team's colors and logo by incorporating skeletons, pumpkins, or bats.
7. Pumpkin Patch
Turn your trunk into a pumpkin patch with pumpkins, haystacks, and scarecrows. Consider carving pumpkins the night before to show off your design skills to visitors. To keep with your outdoor theme, hand out candy corn to trick-or-treaters.
8. Pirate Ship
Ahoy, matey! Turn your car into a pirate ship with a flag, a treasure chest full of candy, and pirate-themed car accessories. Add skeletons as your crew members to incorporate a Halloween twist, and give them pirate hats. Remember to wear a pirate costume yourself so visitors know who the captain is!
9. Video Game Decor
If you're a passionate gamer, deck out your car in decorations inspired by your favorite video games. Create a spooky spin on characters from games like Minecraft and Mario Kart. As an added treat, you can pass out video game party favors, like themed temporary tattoos and stickers.
10. Mad Scientist Lab
Transform your trunk into a mad scientist lab by adding beakers, bubbling concoctions, and mysterious lab equipment. Add Halloween flair to the setup by arranging a witchy scientist working over her cauldron. Wear a lab coat and glasses so guests know you're part of the scene.
11. Spider Web
Tangle your trunk and car in a web of spider fun by draping the exterior in faux spider webs, giant spiders, and other creepy crawlies. You can shop for many fake spiders in different sizes to create a lair. This Trunk-or-Treat idea is quick and easy to display, so consider these decorations if you're looking for a budget-friendly option.
12. Bat Cave
Bring your car to life by turning it into a bat cave with hanging bats, eerie lighting, and cave-like decorations. Try using a fog machine to make the scene extra mysterious, or set up a speaker and play spooky cave sounds as guests approach. Hand out bat-shaped cookies or candies as a treat!
Whatever your style is, there is a Halloween Trunk-or-Treat set up for you. Don't be afraid to get creative, deck out your car, and make the holiday extra special. Visitors who see your vehicle will appreciate the time and effort you put into making the spooky season unforgettable.
Decorate for Halloween with Party City
If you're looking for supplies for the ultimate Trunk-or-Treat setup, Party City has you covered. Our Halloween collection includes tons of hanging ghouls, skeletons and skulls, inflatables, lighting equipment, and more. Plus, we've got Halloween tableware and balloons to make the occasion extra scary. Make this holiday the scariest yet with our one-of-a-kind decor. Shop our Halloween selection today, or visit us at a store near you.
Halloween Car Decoration FAQs
How can I safely secure decorations on my car?
Use adhesive strips or suction cup hooks to securely attach decorations to your car. Always opt for lightweight materials, avoiding anything heavy or sharp that could damage your vehicle or pose a hazard. Remember, your safety and the safety of others are a top priority when setting up your Halloween car decor.
How do I make my car decor visible at night?
Enhance your Halloween car decorations with LED battery-operated lights or glow-in-the-dark paint. While creating your haunting masterpiece, consider adding reflective materials or tape to ensure visibility for nighttime trick-or-treaters.
Is it legal to drive with decorations on my car?
Always check local regulations for restrictions on car decorations, as some areas have specific requirements concerning visibility or the use of lights. Additionally, ensure your decor doesn't obstruct your or other drivers' vision.