When my kids were younger, we'd start around 4pm, and here's our approach (near the VVP area):

- school ends at 3pm. Come home for a quick rest, drink some water and a snack (non-sugary!!!). I think many kids start right away after school, but personally, I find not all businesses have candy ready that early (see my next point)

- head out around 4 or 4:30 - hit all the businesses in the area first! A bit too early for private home/stoop trick or treating, but if you hit the businesses later, they would all be out by then

- once we're done with the businesses, then we'd go around the neighborhood for private homes / stoops. I think most private people start coming out around 5:30 or so

- if you're near VVP, make sure to swing by - they decorate the park every year, and it's a blast for the kids

- treat or treating is VERY GOOD in the VVP area, esp the few blocks around VVP (Mercer, Wayne, etc)

- Don't forget the newark pedestrian plaza festivities, obviously. But I find that area gets too crowded and can be dangerous/too much for younger kids.

Make sure to bring a backpack for yourself - there are so much candy to collect along the way, the bags/buckets for the kids will be full and heavy very quickly. I usually unload several rounds into my backpack during the evening, so the kids have a light load :-)

It's a lot of work for the parents (yes! I was exhausted every year after treat-or-treating with my kids. Who knew getting free candy is so much work!!!) - make sure you rest well this weekend, and go to bed early on sunday night so you're ready for monday.

Have a blast!