Five Counties Children's Centre Hosting 'All-o-ween' For Inclusive Trick-or-Treating Experience

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Five Counties Children’s Centre (FCCC) is inviting families to help make trick-or-treating more accessible and less scary for kids with its first-ever All-o-ween event.

Christian (left) and Gabriel (right) are among the FCCC families who are looking forward to All-o-ween. Photo courtesy of FCCC.

It is designed as an accessible, inclusive, and sensory-friendly trick-or-treating experience for FCCC kids and their families — both those currently receiving treatment at the Centre and those on a waitlist for services. Siblings of Five Counties kids are also welcome.

All-o-ween runs from 4 to 6 p.m. and will take place as follows:

  • Oct. 28, at Five Counties (872 Dutton Road) in Peterborough

  • Oct. 29, at Five Counties (800 Division St., Unit 2) in Cobourg

  • Oct. 30 at Five Counties (9 Russell St. E.) in Lindsay.

Pre-registration is required to attend All-o-ween. Families can call the Centre at 1-888-779-9916, ext. 215 or register online to save a spot.

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

Each All-o-ween event in Cobourg, Peterborough and Lindsay includes an accessible and sensory-friendly trick-or-treating experience. Food, kids’ crafts and a storyteller sharing a fall festive tale will also be available. Kids can dress up in costume, wear orange and black, or come just as they are.

Providing an inclusive opportunity like All-o-ween benefits kids of all ages and abilities according to Hodges.

“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 said. “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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