All-o-ween aims to make trick-or-treating experience more inclusive for all

Five Counties Children’s Centre wants to make trick-or-treating more accessible and less scary for kids. That’s why the Centre is inviting local families to attend its first-ever All-o-ween event.

All-o-ween is designed as an accessible, inclusive and sensory-friendly trick-or-treating experience for Five Counties kids and their families — both those currently receiving treatment at the Centre or who are on a wait list for services.

All-o-ween will run at the Five Counties site (9 Russell St. E.) in Lindsay on Wednesday Oct. 30, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. The Centre is also offering All-o-ween at its sites in Peterborough (872 Dutton Road) on Oct. 28 and in Cobourg (800 Division St., Unit 2) on Oct. 29.

To attend All-o-ween, pre-registration is required. Families can call the Centre at 1-888-779-9916, ext. 215 or visit fivecounties.on.ca/alloween to save a spot. Siblings of Five Counties kids are welcome to join the fun as well.

“Ask any child, and they will tell you Halloween ranks right up there as one of the best days of the year,” says Hayley Hodges, the Client and Family Experience Lead at Five Counties Children’s Centre. “Unfortunately, for some children who are disabled or neurodiverse, getting into the fall festivities can be a challenge.”

“Ask any child, and they will tell you Halloween ranks right up there as one of the best days of the year,” says Hayley Hodges, client and family experience lead at Five Counties Children’s Centre. “Unfortunately, for some children who are disabled or neurodiverse, getting into the fall festivities can be a challenge.”

That’s where All-o-ween is meant to break down barriers. Each of the All-o-ween events in Cobourg, Peterborough and Lindsay includes an accessible and sensory-friendly trick-or-treating experience. There will also be food, kids’ crafts and a storyteller sharing a fall festive tale. Kids coming to All-o-ween can dress up in costume, wear orange and black, or come just as they are.

 According to Hodges, providing an inclusive opportunity like All-o-ween benefit kids of all ages and abilities.

 “In our everyday work at Five Counties, we support children and youth with physical, developmental and communications needs with the aim of enriching their independence and quality of life every day,” she says. “Halloween is one of those days or festivities that children of every ability should have the chance to experience and enjoy. And by organizing All-o-ween, we want to ensure everyone participates and no one gets left behind.”