When my kids were small and the costumes were still toddling spiders or mini firefighters, my main goal was to get as much use out of costumes as possible with the most amount of pictures. Once the kids started school, their yearly school event added an indoor option, which has a photo booth, so I shelved my issues about the temperature in the gym and headed to this every year.

Halloween is also a fun time to participate in my favorite pastime, kid comparison photos. We have a corner that we take a group pic in each year, and we have pictures of our oldest knocking on the neighbors’ door since before there was a second kid to get pictures of.

This year we’ve reached the age where nothing about any of the costumes is adorable or soft/fuzzy. In fact, yesterday I bought my 10-year-old a Halloween costume that can only be described as “Invisible Pedestrian,” which was an offering from SNL’s Irwin Mainway character. When I tried to find the video of the sketch online, I instead came across a Today Show segment warning of the dangers of this costume, which is basically a head-to-toe body suit of black spandex. (I may be heavily dating myself by still calling it spandex.) In the end, we settled on the number of glow bracelets required to purchase the costume while picking up a hockey goalie mask — OK, Friday the 13th Jason mask — for my teenager to wear with his hockey jersey.

Locally, we have options for every age with a daytime Block Party, Edmonds’ yearly downtown trick or treat event, and a haunted house and Trunk R Treat in Mountlake Terrace

On Oct. 26, Coldwell Banker Bain is having an Edmonds Halloween Block Party at Main Street Commons, Main and 6th, from 11 a.m. to 2 pm. This event is FREE and features a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving, the Frog Lady, face painting, games, food and a photo booth. The great thing about events like these is that they extend the holiday, are during the day and add some opportunities for pictures. It’s also a little ‘Halloween got rained out’ insurance. You can find more information on the Edmonds Halloween Block Party on the Facebook events page.

While it’s nowhere near home, Trick or Treat on the Waterfront in Seattle has been a favorite event of ours and checks a lot of the same boxes as the Edmonds Halloween Block Party. Held each year on a Sunday in late October, this year is Oct. 27 from noon to 4 p.m.  This chance to collect candy while walking on the waterfront is fun and is a great spot for pictures that still allows for a regular bedtime. You can find participating businesses from the ferry terminal at Pier 52 to Pier 66. There is more info, including where to park for FREE on FriendsofWaterfrontSeattle.org.

The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce Halloween Trick-or-Treat Night is Thursday, Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m. The event, which starts at the Fountain at 5th and Main, features a “safe and interactive space for families to come trick-or-treat and enter the costume contest for sweet prizes!” This is a great option for seeing fun costumes and not worrying about traffic. There is a costume contest photo booth located in the lobby of the Windemere Building at 210 5th Ave. S.

This year will be the 9th Annual Edmonds Halloween Flash Mob, a choreographed dance held right at the fountain during the festivities. The dance will happen at 5:30 p.m. if you want to watch or to participate. If you’d like to join in, free rehearsals are being held at Harbor Square – – Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., Oct. 26 at 11 a.m., and Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. – or you can pick up the choreography at home by watching the Harbor Square Dance Fitness Team HERE.

You can find out more information about Edmonds Halloween Trick-or-Treat Night at EdmondsChamber.com.

For those of you who like to get scared, Nile Nightmares Haunted House — held at the Nile Golf Course in Mountlake Terrace — is open every weekend in October. They have six indoor attractions, two Escape Rooms — and for an additional fee, an indoor concession area and a beer garden. If the rain is a concern, Nile Nightmares says the trail between the attractions is freshly groomed and that they have a covered waiting area as well. Seeing as Team Marx was not built for Haunted Houses, we have yet to try this out, but from what I understand from friends, it’s not for the squeamish.

Per NileNightmares.com, “We recommend that guests be 12 and older. For younger and more sensitive guests, we recommend our family-friendly night (with less-scary actors who hand out trick-or-treat candy) on Saturday, Oct. 26 from noon to 4 p.m.” Their regular weekend hours are Friday and Saturday from 7 to 11 p.m. and Sunday, 7 to 10 p.m. They will also be open on Halloween and Nov. 1 and 2.

Also in Mountlake Terrace, the Mountlake Terrace Business Association is hosting its 11th annual community Halloween favorite Trunk R Treat from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. During the event, kids are invited to a safe and family-friendly trick or treat adventure around a local parking lot of decorated vehicles, with trunks open and full of candy. Trunk R Treat is held at the intersection of 56th Avenue West and 232nd Street Southwest. Kids begin trick or treating at 5 p.m.

— By Jennifer Marx