This Halloween, the President and First Lady will welcome local schoolchildren and children of military families to trick-or-treat at the South Portico of the White House, which will be decorated for the occasion. More than 4,000 people are expected to visit the White House for Halloween this year, including students from the following schools:

Washington, DC Schools DC Scholars Public Charter School Excel Academy Public Charter School Eagle Academy Public Charter School Simon Elementary School

Virginia Schools Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Moorefield Station Elementary School Buffalo Trail Elementary School Anne E. Moncure Elementary School

Maryland Schools Veterans Elementary Schools Cradlerock Elementary School Indian Queen Elementary School H. Winship Wheatley Early Childhood Center Carboy Hills Elementary School Lexington Park Elementary School Benjamin Banneker Elementary School

TRICKS This Halloween, the White House and the surrounding grounds will be transformed into A Storybook Journey. As trick-or-treaters make their way across the South Drive, they will visit different station featuring décor inspired by classic tales, including Mother Goose, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and Peter Rabbit.  

A group of local students will also join a flash mob to the song Thriller, led by Joy of Motion Dance Company.

TREATS The following treats will be provided:

• A box of White House Hershey Kisses
• A White House Halloween Cookie
• A box of White House M&Ms
• Fruit Bars
• Kettle Corn
• Bo and Sunny baseball cards
• An assortment of candies

The White House Halloween Cookie Recipe

1 lb Sugar                                                 1 tsp Vanilla

2 lbs Butter Sugar                                   1 tsp Salt

3 Eggs Sugar                                            3 lbs All Purpose Flour

Mix the butter and sugar till soft and well beaten. Then add eggs, vanilla, salt and half the flour. Beat on slow speed till mixed, then add the rest of the flour and mix until incorporated.

Push flat onto a cookie sheet and refrigerate overnight. Roll out to one quarter inch thick and cut out cookie shapes with cookie cutter.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 14 minutes and allow to cool.