Halloween is around the corner. Some people are buying candy, costumes and decorations for trick or treating, while others are preparing for alternative holiday activities.

"When I was little, we were free to go to all our neighbors in the community and play outside, trick or treat, and eat the candy as we went along," said Dora Griffin, a graduate student studying sociology and criminology. "We bobbed for apples without fear. Now, my son is 19. All his life we found structured activities. He wasn't allowed to trick or treat, but if he did, he wasn't allowed to eat the candy. In fact, I don't even give out candy."

In light of changing social and health concerns, many activities are available for those who share Griffin's beliefs.

For family-oriented activities, the Ed White Memorial Youth Center will have its Fall Festival in Seabrook, Oct. 31. Admission is free, but games require tickets costing 25 cents each. A non-violent themed costume contest will occur at 7:30 p.m. for children 12 and under. Food and refreshments will be served, and parking is free.

"For safety's sake, Halloween celebrations have developed into more carnival participation in wholesome community settings as opposed to door-to-door," said Tamsie White, the youth center's executive director.

For those who want to stay close to home, "Kids Night Out" will be held Oct. 30 at Houston-area Kroger stores. Free trick or treating will be available, and children are encouraged to wear costumes.

"We invite (children) to participate in face painting, cake walks and a variety of games," said David Van Auken, Co-Manager of the Kroger at Spencer and Burke.

For teens and older children, Kemah will have a haunted house at its "Boo on the Boardwalk" every night through Halloween.

An additional venue for older children is Astroworld's "Fright Fest Spooktacular," Oct. 26 - 28. For $39.99 plus tax and $5 parking, visitors can tour three haunted houses, go on rides and see several shows amid spooky decorations, according to Astroworld Public Relations Manager Darryl Freedman.

"Fright Fest has become more intense," Freedman said. "Teens demand a scarier product."

October 25

The Healthy Halloween extravaganza free family Thursday will take place at the Museum of Health and Medical Science, 1515 Hermann Dr., 4-7 p.m. This event will include carnival games, a costume contest, scary story hour, the Witch's Kitchen and the Haunted Body Pavilion. For more information, call (713) 521-1515.

October 26

Creepy Crawlers will be held at the Armand Bayou Nature Center, 6-9 p.m. This year's event will include hikes through a forest with talking animals, story telling, face painting, hay rides, a barn show and much more. Admission is $8 for members, $10 for non-members and free for children 2 and under. For more information, call (281) 894-5271.

October 29

Ghostly Gardens will take place at Moody Gardens, One Hope Blvd., in Galveston, 2-6 p.m. This event will include trick or treating throughout the complex, crafts, a costume contest in the Garden Lobby, with prizes for best costume, and an IMAX movie called "Haunted Castle." For more information, call (800) 582-4673.

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