‘Witch’ way to the candy? Reverse Trick-or-Treat brings Halloween fun to UK Golisano Children’s
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 2, 2026) — For kids, Halloween is one of the highlights of the year, right up there with Christmas morning and the last day of school. From community trunk-or-treats to rampaging through the neighborhood in colorful costumes, the day is filled with fun and excitement that no child wants to miss. For kids in the hospital, there are still Halloween hijinks to be had — they just might look a little backward.
Now in its ninth year, Reverse Trick-or-Treat is a beloved Halloween tradition at Golisano Children’s at UK. Instead of the kids going door-to-door, staff from all over UK HealthCare, as well as donors and community partners make the rounds. Patients sit by their doors, treat bags at the ready, as a parade of adults in elaborate costumes stroll by, handing out candy, snacks, slime and toys.
Minecraft characters, princesses, Spider-Man and his friend Spider-Gwen and Dolly Parton watched with awe as a steady stream of reverse trick-or-treaters dropped goodies into overflowing bags. It’s safe to say that this Halloween haul of candy and snacks will last them through the new year.
“Halloween offers us another opportunity to bring comfort and a sense of normalcy to children spending the holiday in the hospital,” said Jennifer Guilliams, director of the Child and Family Life program at UK Golisano Children’s. “Every child deserves the chance to share in the excitement and simply enjoy being a kid.”
The Child Life staff goes to great lengths to ensure that every patient, no matter how sick, feels included. Patients who don’t feel well enough to participate hang a bag on their closed door so they can enjoy their treats later. Special attention is paid to those with allergies or food restrictions. Proper distancing and disinfection regulations are observed for patients at higher risk of infection.
No costume? No problem. UK HealthCare Auxiliary and Team Liam 23 donated dozens of costumes, ensuring that everyone, from babies to teenagers, has the chance to dress up and join the fun. Speedway, through the Children’s Miracle Network, donated a copious amount of candy and treats to be handed out.
“For a little while, this celebration shifts the focus away from hospital routines and gives our patients the freedom to have fun,” said Guilliams. “Seeing teams from across UK HealthCare unite to make the day special is a wonderful reminder of the joy our community can create together.”
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated healthcare professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the healthcare landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.