We went to one of our family favorite activities – board games – for our Halloween theme last year. We created costumes and our trunk or treat design based on the game Clue.
Trunk Design Basics
If my count is right, this was our 7th year participating in Trunk or Treat at our church. I have a few basic items that I grab each fall to help with our trunk set up. This particular time it included our spiderweb tablecloth, presentation board, a small shipping box (great to add height under the tablecloth), and magnetic bulldog clips.
From there I added a few holiday and home decor items as well as handmade Clue cards to fill the trunk space.
Clue Board Game Cards
Game cards are a big part of the game so it felt necessary to include some. We made our own oversized cards to use as trunk decorations. It started with an image I found online for the back of Clue board game cards. I recreated the general design on a large piece of sketch paper. Then painted in a cheery orangish red color.
My daughter helped me draw the character cards. We sketched designs to match each of the characters we were dressing up as. Then used acrylic paints to add the related color.
Game Pieces
While searching the internet for inspiration, I came across photos of hand drawn game pieces. I immediately knew this was something I could do and would be easier (plus less expensive & safer) than trying to find real objects.
I simply took a carboard box, flattened it out, and sketched the pieces in pencil. Then outlined with a Sharpie and cut out using my X-acto knife.
For quick handmade elements, I thought they turned out really well.
Final Touches
To add a little depth to our design, I grabbed leftover red fabric from my husband’s King Arthur costume. We draped it across the top of the trunk using the bulldog clips to secure it.
On the ground in front of the trunk, we added the character names in chalk and tossed around cardboard game pieces I made.
Our Clue Trunk or Treat was a hit. We kept our mystery low key (who kidnapped the bird) to keep it nice and family friendly for our church’s annual event. Most kids didn’t recognize the game, but they were amused and kept blaming me! Apparently having a feathered hairpiece meant Ms Peacock was guilty.
Who do you think did it? Ms Peacock, Miss White, Professor Plum or Colonel Mustard?
Looking for more Trunk or Treat ideas? See all of our past trunk themes here.
