Maybe wait until they are a little older.

I’m not a fan of trick or treating, but if your children are really keen, I would go with them and just stand a step or two behind them so they know your near.

I think the best way is to walk with them. Stand back and let your children knock and ask for a treat or trick. Only go to houses that are decorated though, as some people are very anti halloweening and may be rude to your children!

There are some seriously scary costumes that tweens and older kids dress up in between zombie contact lenses and fake blood spattered all over themselves. Perhaps going earlier is a good idea as these older kids might go trick or treating later?

It might also be a good idea to read some books on dressing up with them – so they know it is make believe and not real.

Maybe go early when it is still light outside and only visit other homes in your street of the people you know. It may help? Also, limit the time, keep it short.

DO something alternative – like have a dress up party where everyone has to dress as a “goodie” / superhero / angel (something non-scary) rather than the nasty “badies” that do so easily scare children. Or just reconsider how much they are “missing out” (To be honest the sugar and junk that they get from the venture does them far more harm than good, not to mention the nightmares from scary costumes.. just because America is doing it and a few kids in Oz are also copy-cating it doesn’t mean that it is worth doing!.. to avoid “missing out” maybe have a healthy dinner and go see a nice family movie)

Perhaps re-inforce that everything they see is not real. Perhaps go in the early evening so there is still daylight