If your kids are already in costume two weeks early, Mall of America has a place for them to go. A free Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF pop-up runs Thursday, Oct. 15, through Sunday, Oct. 18, in the atrium at Nickelodeon Universe, the mall said. You don't need to register. Just show up.
The mall's page still doesn't list hours. A regional family-events calendar lists the pop-up at 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The same listing adds a prize wheel, a photo booth, and crafts to what the mall describes: a "larger than life" Trick-or-Treat box, face painting, giveaways, and educational resources about the campaign. Kids can also pick up their own collection box to carry on Halloween night.
Anyone who grew up with the little box will know the idea. The drive started on Halloween 1950 in Philadelphia, when kids went door to door collecting nickels and dimes in decorated milk cartons. They raised $17 that first year. By 1969, about 3.5 million American kids were taking part, and the program has raised more than $188 million worldwide.
The concept hasn't changed much. Kids collect candy and also ask for donations to UNICEF's programs for children around the world. If you can't make it to the mall, UNICEF USA sends boxes free through its campaign page. Orders placed by Oct. 26 are supposed to arrive by Halloween, and individual orders are capped at 15 boxes.
So the pop-up works as a warm-up for the real thing on the 31st, and the kids walk out with a box in hand. Nickelodeon Universe is also decked out for Halloween.
