• What: We’re excited to be hosting our second annual All-o-ween event for Five Counties kids and their families (including siblings). This accessible, inclusive and sensory-friendly trick-or-treating event is for kids of all ages and abilities. Dress up in a costume, wear orange and black, or come as you are. Enjoy treats. stories and more!
• When and Where – Thanks to everyone who signed up. REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED as events in Peterborough (Oct. 28), Cobourg (Oct. 29), and Lindsay (Oct. 30) are full.
• More Details: Contact our Client and Family Engagement Lead Hayley Hodges at hhodges@fivecounties.on.ca or 1-888-779-9916, ext. 215, for more information.

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PETERBOROUGH, ON (Oct. 20, 2025) – There’s a trick to making Halloween more of a treat for the little ghouls, ghosts, and goblins to ensure it’s safer and more inclusive for all.

That’s the goal of the Peterborough County OPP detachment and Five Counties Children’s Centre, which are teaming up to offer tips to parents, caregivers and families on ways to make the trick-or-treating experience better for everyone.

“Halloween is the spookiest night of the year, but also one of the most anticipated dates on the calendar for kids,” says Constable Dan Gay, the Media Relations and Community Services Officer with the Peterborough County OPP detachment. “With excitement running high, kids may not be paying full attention as go door-to-door for treats, posing a risk to themselves and drivers who may be caught off guard. That makes taking safety precautions very important.”

Hayley Hodges, the Client and Family Engagement Lead at Five Counties – the regional children’s treatment centre based in Peterborough – echoes the OPP safety message, while also highlighting the need to make Halloween as inclusive as possible for children of all abilities.

“The reality is that there are thousands of children across Canada with one or more disabilities that can prevent them from enjoying trick-or-treating with their siblings and other children,” Hodges says. “But it’s also true that with a few simple tweaks to our Halloween plans, we can literally open doors to more trick-or-treaters this year!”

To prepare for Halloween, Peterborough County OPP and Five Counties make the following suggestions:

Safety Tips for Halloween

• For Drivers – Be vigilant and slow down, especially in neighbourhoods where children might be crossing the street. Stay focused and avoid distractions
• For Parents/Caregivers – Choose makeup over masks for a child’s costume, as it makes it easier for them to see. Costumes with bright colours and reflective materials can also increase kids’ visibility for drivers. It’s always best to supervise young children and not let them trick-or-treat alone. For older kids or youth, ensure they go out in a group, tell you their route, and expected return time.
• For Kids – Have fun, but stay safe. Always trick-or-treat with an adult or in a group. Walk, don’t run, and stick to sidewalks or the side of the road if there are no sidewalks. Only cross streets at crosswalks or intersections and before doing so, stop, look both ways and listen for traffic. Avoid going into strangers’ homes and have an adult inspect your treats before you eat them.

Inclusion Tips for Halloween

• Set up a trick-or-treating station that is accessible and barrier-free for every child to enjoy. For homes with stairs, consider setting up an accessible treat station on the front lawn, driveway, or garage. Or use your vehicle’s trunk to hand out candy.
• Clear the path for trick-or-treaters. Remove potential obstacles and ensure the way to your treat station is wide open and well lit, especially for trick-or-treaters with mobility challenges.
• Decorate for Halloween with care. While scary and spooky decorations are appealing, they can be frightening for some trick-or-treaters. Bright flashing lights and loud or frightening noises can cause problems for children with sensory processing issues, autism or epilepsy. Be thoughtful and tactful in how you decorate so more children can take part in trick-or-treating.
• Seeing blue? That’s OK. Blue pumpkins have been informally adopted by some families as a way to indicate children have unique ways of behaving and communicating. If you see a trick-or-treater carrying a blue pumpkin, be understanding and adjust your interactions as needed
• Use some ‘show and tell’ to hand out treats. If you encounter children with visual or hearing problems, describe or hold up the treat before placing it in the bag so they are aware of what they are receiving.
• A sign of the times. If you want to make an even stronger statement, put up a sign on your front lawn indicating you are an accessible/inclusive trick-or-treating stop. The Treat Accessibility organization offers printable signs and other tips.
• Offer non-candy options. Consider having non-food treats in your basket so all kids can enjoy the holiday, especially those who may have allergies.

“Putting our all into Halloween preparations can make trick-or-treating more inclusive and accessible for all,” notes Hodges, of Five Counties.

“Halloween is supposed to be scary,” adds OPP Const. Gay, “but with a few simple precautions, we can make it safer and more memorable for kids of all ages and abilities.”

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PETERBOROUGH, ON (Oct. 3, 2025) – While Halloween is supposed to be scary, for some children it can be downright frightening due to an inability to fully take part.

Five Counties Children’s Centre is hoping to change that by bringing back its All-o-ween event for a second straight year. All-o-ween is 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.

“We’re all in for All-o-ween to make the scariest night of the year an enjoyable evening for kids of all ages and abilities,” says Hayley Hodges, the Client and Family Experience Lead at Five Counties.

Five Counties is again offering All-o-ween from 4-7 pm at each of its main sites as follows:

• On Tuesday, Oct. 28, at Five Counties (872 Dutton Road) in Peterborough.
• On Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Five Counties (800 Division St., Unit 2) in Cobourg
• On Thursday, Oct. 30 at Five Counties (9 Russell St. E.) in Lindsay.

To attend All-o-ween, pre-registration is required. Families can book a spot for each event by clicking here or by calling the Centre at 1-888-779-9916, ext. 215. Siblings of Five Counties kids are welcome to join the fun as well.

Hodges says there were many positive comments from parents and families of the 250 children who attended the first-ever All-o-ween event last year in Peterborough, Lindsay and Cobourg. “We want to build on that momentum and feedback to make All-o-ween in 2025 an even better night of fun for participants,” she adds.

According to Hodges, All-o-ween fits nicely into the work done by Five Counties staff in supporting children and youth with physical, developmental and communications needs. “As a kid, Halloween is one of the best days of the year,” she notes, “so giving every child the opportunity to take part in an event like All-o-ween means fun for everyone.”

All-o-ween 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.

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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 runs from 4-6 pm and will take place as follows:

• On Monday, Oct. 28, at Five Counties (872 Dutton Road) in Peterborough
• On Tuesday, Oct. 29, at Five Counties (800 Division St., Unit 2) in Cobourg
• On Wednesday, Oct. 30 at Five Counties (9 Russell St. E.) in Lindsay.

To attend All-o-ween, pre-registration is required. Five Counties families can call the Centre at 1-888-779-9916, ext. 215,  or click here to register. 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.”

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 just come 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.”

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• What: The Patrick McAuley Group is hosting Patrick’s Pumpkin Palooza in Support of Five Counties!
• When: Saturday, October 14, from 9 am to 12 pm.
• Where: Bowes & Cocks Limited Brokerage, 333 Charlotte St., in Peterborough
• Join Us: come get your pumpkins for Halloween while supporting Five Counties Children’s Centre!

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• What: Join us for our Monthly Accessible Outdoor activities and exploration event for Therapeutic Recreation clients ages 6-12 years. This month’s event focuses on Halloween festivities. Join the fun with your child and, together as a family, build relationships with others. Important Note: This event is for Five Counties’ Therapeutic Recreation clients only (those children receiving at least two services at the Centre). Learn more about this service.
• When: October 27, 4:30-5:30 pm
• Where: Backyard Nature Space and Gardens, Five Counties Children’s Centre (872 Dutton Rd.) in Peterborough
• How to Register: Pre-registration is required at least one week before the event. Contact our Recreation Therapist at (705) 748-2337, ext. 250, or by email at cristok@fivecounties.on.ca.

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PETERBOROUGH, ON (October 19, 2022) – Area residents are being asked to break down barriers to trick-or-treating by making this Halloween more inclusive – and less scary – for children of all ages and abilities.

With Halloween on the horizon, Five Counties Children’s Centre is sharing its top tips to make trick-or-treating more accessible for all children this year.

“Ask any child, and he or she will tell you Halloween ranks right up there as one of the best days of the year,” says Scott Pepin, CEO of Five Counties Children’s Centre. “We’re encouraging people to consider children of all ages and abilities this Halloween. A few simple tweaks to your Halloween plans can literally open doors to more trick-or-treaters.”

Five Counties is echoing the message of Treat Accessibly, a grassroots movement formed in 2017. Treat Accessibly promotes ‘Happy Halloween…everyBODY,’ with the aim of make trick-or-treating more inclusive. According to the Treat Accessibly organization, more than 400,000 children in Canada identify as having one or more disabilities, which can prevent them from enjoying trick-or-treating with their siblings and other children.

“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,” Pepin adds. “Halloween is one of those days or festivities that children of every ability should have the chance to experience and enjoy. We’re calling on our communities to help make that happen!”

To break down barriers to Halloween, you’re encouraged to consider the following:

• Set up a trick-or-treating station that is accessible and barrier-free for every child to enjoy. For homes with stairs, consider setting up an accessible treat station on the front lawn, driveway, or garage. If all else fails, be creative and use your vehicle’s trunk to hand out candy.
• Clear the path for trick-or-treaters. Remove potential obstacles and ensure the way to your treat station is wide open and well lit, especially for trick-or-treaters with mobility challenges. Consider parking on the street or in the garage to create even more space.
• Decorate for Halloween with care. While scary and spooky decorations are appealing, they can be frightening for some trick-or-treaters. Bright flashing lights and loud or frightening noises can cause problems for children with sensory processing issues, autism or epilepsy. Be thoughtful and tactful in how you decorate so more children can take part in trick-or-treating.
• Communication counts. Some children may say ‘trick or treat’ differently. Some may use sign language, assistive technology, speak slowly or be non-verbal. Be respectful whatever the circumstances. A smile and wave can say so much!
• Seeing blue? That’s OK. Blue pumpkins have been informally adopted by some families as a way to indicate children have unique ways of behaving and communicating. If you see a trick-or-treater carrying a blue pumpkin, be understanding and adjust your interactions as needed
• Use some ‘show and tell’ to hand out treats. If you encounter children with visual or hearing problems, describe or hold up the treat before placing it in the bag so they are aware of what they are receiving.
• A sign of the times. If you want to make an even stronger statement, put up a sign on your front lawn indicating you are an accessible/inclusive trick-or-treating stop.

– end –

 For media inquiries, contact:

Bill Eekhof, Communications Coordinator, Five Counties Children’s Centre, 705-749-2337, ext. 200, or 1-888-779-9916, ext. 200, beekhof@fivecounties.on.ca

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