Trunk or Treat: A Spooky and Fun Halloween Eve Celebration in the Steinmühle Schoolyard

“Trunk or Treat” was the theme on the eve of Halloween in the Steinmühle schoolyard. As an event organized entirely by the elementary school parents, cars were lined up there starting at 5 p.m.—each with its trunk open and filled with lots of surprises. With great attention to detail, the parents of our bilingual elementary school students had decorated their trunks in Halloween style and offered various treats to the children as they came by one after another. But that wasn’t all: Not only the children, but also the moms and dads were in costume, so you often had to take a closer look to see who was hiding behind the mask.

 

A Parent-Led Initiative

For those who were expecting the familiar phrase “Trick or Treat” rather than “Trunk,” here’s a quick explanation of this variation. “For many families, this idea replaces the tradition of children going door-to-door, which is sometimes viewed somewhat critically not only in the U.S. but also here in Germany,” explains Lorraine Herrmann, the deputy director of the Bilingual Elementary School. She expressed great pride in the successful parent-led initiative, which involved crafting, lighting, and decorating—and for which she provided only organizational support. Steinmühle says “Thank you” to all the parents whose dedication made such a wonderful evening possible for our elementary school children!

Click through the photos to get a sense of this fun event: