It’s spooky season and this year our family chose Super Mario Bros. For our family costume and trunk or treat this year!

What is Trunk or Treat?

Trunk or treat is a community activity where participants can decorate their car trunks in a special theme and pass out candy to families that attend. Usually it’ll take place in a parking lot of a school, church or community facility. Trunks vary in themes and extravagance. I remember my first year participating, I brought a few Halloween decorations from home, bought a black table cloth from the dollar store and displayed my decorations in the trunk. It was pretty lame compared to some of the others with their balloon arches, cardboard cutouts and Halloween goodie bags.

No matter the decoration, seeing the amazed and awestruck look on the kiddos faces is the best part of the event. The “wow”s and the “whoa”s and their little voices saying “trick or treat” is just adorable.

This year was no different as we passed out candy sporting our “Super Mommio” and “Super Daddio” shirts from Amazon.

Mama Mia!

With just a few boxes, table cloths, wrapping paper, plastic plates and poster board, you can create a SUPER simple Super Mario Bros. Trunk set up!

Dollar Tree Trunk or Treat Essentials

Trunks like the one ours aren’t possible without a trip or two to Dollar Tree!

Plastic Table Cloths – I plan for at least two table liners and then add a few more for good measure and any additional items you want wrapped. If you’re looking for a particular color that may be hard to find as wrapping paper, table cloths are an affordable and easy to cover whatever items you’re working with.
- Pro Tip #1 – Get a black liner to cover the bottom of your car including your license plate number. Not only will you want to take pictures of your own displays, others participating might as well. You’re better off safe than sorry by covering your license plate number for some privacy.
- Pro Tip #2 – Should you need to cover boxes or items with designs or prints on them, considering getting white wrapping paper to cover the sides that will be seen before covering with the plastic tablecloth. Without the paper, the “Huggies” or “pampers” diaper boxes aren’t as disguised as you’d probably like them to be.
Balloons – Balloons are a great filler or dimensional design element that can be used for clouds, tree tops, water, and so much more. I would recommend having double stick tap or balloon arch “stickies” on hand to hold your balloons together. Grab one solid color for whatever item you’re planning to use them for and then blow them up with a pump to various sizes.
Poster board – poster board in various colors can resolve backdrop details or character cutouts that complete your theme. Colorful poster board is $1.00 a unit and white poster board is $.50 a unit. I always grab a few white sheets just in case.
Tool Bench Clamps – these plastic tool bench clamps will secure your backdrop to your car without damaging your car. I used two clamps for the top corners of the tablecloth to the rubber around the edge of the car.

Trunk or Treat Set Up

Usually trunks or treats will take place in a parking lot. The cars will park with the back open to wherever the trick or treaters will be walking. Set up usually begins an hour before the event, but check with the local event you hope to attend to find out the specific details. Once you’ve selected your parking spot, be mindful of the cars around you and if you think you’re going to take up two parking spaces, start unloading your items so no one parks next to you.

There are a few essential items needed for set up: