Halloween is a Perfect Time to Teach Your Child about Giving
When I was about 11 years old, my mom taught us about UNICEF. If you don’t know about UNICEF, pre-Halloween is a great time to learn more and become involved. Their sole purpose is to help children survive and they we will do whatever it takes to save a child. My mom didn’t explain it quite as eloquently, but I understood it enough to know that what I was doing was a good thing. My sister and I would dress in our Halloween costumes and, in addition to our Trick or Treat Bags, we would carry a coin box for UNICEF. We would ring each doorbell and proclaim “Trick or Treat for UNICEF” and, more time than not, we’d get a donation and an extra handful of candy! I still remember how excited each donation made me!
Trick or Treat for UNICEF is a worldwide campaign to involve children in giving, not getting. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is committed to empowering children to make a real difference in the lives of their peers in need around the world. They organize all kinds of activities to help kids learn how important it is to give to others and what fun it is to plan an activity and then share the benefits with a child who has far less than do they.
Let your kids know they don’t have to give up their trick or treating or Halloween fun. Encourage them to help you pick their costumes, treat bags and more. This year, as always, be sure to order your Halloween costumes and party goods early and avoid the fall rush. Get a costume for yourself, too and don’t forget your four-legged friend! Planning early gives you more time to plan some UNICEF activities, like a Carnival.
Here’s a great way to have fun and raise money, too: Plan a Halloween Carnival this year. Invite your friends, child’s teacher or school to pitch in. Ask a local merchant to help fund the project and let your children help in all of the Halloween Planning, Decorations, Activities, Games, and Ticket Selling. Engage a local Home Based business woman to donate some time in exchange for publicity. Sell tickets and donate the proceeds to UNICEF.
It’s never too early to teach your children the joy of giving. Trick or Treat for UNICEF can be a geography lesson, a business lesson, and a lesson in humanity.
