Trick for Treating and More Halloween Fun at Universal Kids Resort

Universal Kids Resort has brought trick-or-treating to Isle of Curiosity, but with a twist. The park’s entrance hub now has six “Trick for Treat” stations where guests complete a game or activity before collecting their candy. Spoiler alert: everyone wins.

The land also features a unique pumpkin decorating station, pumpkin drums, and a Halloween parade hosted by Gabby. Combined with Monster Tots Superfan Spooktacular, the Team Members’ Halloween outfits, and the energy the Gabby’s Dollhouse crew always brings, the Isle of Curiosity is becoming very popular.

Tricks for Treats

Some of the Trick for Treat games are simple. A few require skills I apparently lack, especially while holding a camera. I failed miserably at the Jack-o’-lantern mystery chute game (my name, not Universal’s) while playing one-handed.

But I still got my candy. And the Team Member couldn’t have been more encouraging as I failed time after time.

That’s the recurring theme at these stations. The games are fun, but the Team Members are the stars. The ones I talked to said they normally work in parking or the ticket office. They’re naturals with the kids, offering encouragement before handing out the rewards. That approach also works on adults.

Candy bags are available at each of the game carts.

The first station features Gordo, a hungry ghost with a gaping mouth. Guests feed him candy corn bean bags. You choose the launch spot.

This is my favorite game, but not because of the gameplay. The payoff is Hershey’s Miniatures.

Heading counterclockwise around the Isle, we find a skull decorating station. Kids attach eyes, moustaches, and other facial features to a Mexican folk art-inspired skull. There’s nothing frightening about this station. Universal Kids Resort is embracing the fun side of Halloween, not the horror.

Next is the best game for those of us who grew up watching The Price Is Right when we stayed home from school. UKR has Plinko. Well, not officially, but that’s what everyone is calling it. Guests release Jack-o’-lantern pucks from the top of a board, hoping they bounce through the pegs and land beneath one of two painted tails.

The most beautiful game cart features trellises decorated with vines and mini Jack-o’-lantern buckets filled with candy. Kids use hooks to remove the buckets. The double-sided hook is for advanced players. Single hooks are best for younger trick-or-treaters. And one-handed photographers.

The witch’s hat ring toss also humbled me. Several hats sit on an angled board. It looks easy enough, but those rings bounce.

If, like me, you don’t enjoy failing in public, you might think about skipping this one. Don’t. The payout is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

Finally, we come to the game that wrecked my ego: the Jack-o’-lantern mystery chute. A Team Member drops candy down one of the pipes, and the player on the other side has to catch it.

I didn’t stand a chance. I wasn’t willing to attempt an acrobatic catch while holding my camera. Even without the camera, it probably wasn’t happening.

But most kids have this one figured out. After a few failed attempts, they usually cover all four pipes. I should’ve watched them before taking my turn.

Team Members give out a few pieces of candy per game. I’ve seen Jolly Ranchers, Dum-Dums, Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and those excellent Hershey’s Miniatures. They also ask about allergies before handing out the candy.

One Team Member gave me a Hershey’s Kiss while I was taking photos. I put it in my pocket and pulled it out five minutes later. Don’t do this. Let your kids eat the chocolate immediately. For the good of their clothes.

The Trick for Treats carts are open from noon to 4 PM on weekdays. They stick around a little longer on weekend afternoons.

Create Your Pumpkin

Isle of Curiosity also has a pumpkin decorating activity, though probably not the kind you’re picturing. Instead of actual gourds, three large chalkboards are framed with pumpkins.

Kids seem to love this one. And parents get the benefit of a pumpkin decorating activity without having to carry a Jack-o’-lantern around the park all day.

Pumpkin percussion

Kids who prefer music to art can try the pumpkin drums near Gabby’s Dollhouse. These fake pumpkins have soft drumheads, perfectly safe for young ones. And your ears.

The area also includes a photo op, complete with multicolored Jack-o’-lanterns and a pumpkin carved with the UKR logo.

Both activity areas are next to tables and chairs. I saw plenty of parents enjoying a break while their kids got creative.

Gabby’s Dollhouse Halloween Costume Parade

Gabby and her dancers always bring a vibe to the park entrance, either with meet-and-greets or Gabby’s Dollhouse Dance Party. Team Members usually have to stop excited kids from rushing the performers during the show, but afterward, the crew is happy to stick around for pics and high-fives.

Gabby’s Halloween parade lets those kids join in from the start. There aren’t any floats. It’s not that kind of parade. Instead, kids follow Gabby and her friends as they wind through the Isle of Curiosity. Costumes are allowed.

Gabby’s usual meet-and-greet backdrop has also been covered with a Halloween-themed version.

These are simple Halloween additions, but the kids are eating them up. They get to play, draw, drum, parade, and collect candy as Team Members make even a failed attempt feel like a success.

Halloween at Universal Kids Resort runs through November 1.

Want to learn more about Universal Kids Resort and its seven themed lands? We’ve got you covered. Visit our Universal Kids Resort hub for everything available at the new Frisco theme park.