This year has just been weird, hasn’t it? And the upcoming holiday of Halloween will make no difference. We were lucky to get Halloween on a Saturday with a full moon. Ooooooh, spooky! Then, our luck stopped when this year also included a pandemic.
But don’t worry: Halloween is not cancelled; it just might look different. Here are 10 ideas to have fun this Halloween!
- Attend a trick-or-treat event. Some localities are putting on special events, such as parades (and even creepy candy slides!), for Halloween to allow the kids to show off their costumes and get candy in a safe, socially distanced way. Check out your local news sources to find an event near you.
- Go “Ghosting.” No, I don’t mean ignoring someone you went on a date with. This ghosting is to spread cheer, not avoid awkwardness. Put treats in a bag and leave it on someone’s doorstep with an invitation to leave treats for someone else. It’s a safe way to spread some cheer this season.
- Have a scary movie marathon. Pop in your favorite scary movie or find some new family favorites, curl up on the couch, and have some fun. You can find movies on TV, with your favorite streaming service, or for free at the library.
- Throw a Halloween dance party! With the people of your household, of course, put on some spooky music and shake the pandemic angst out! This might be a good time to teach your kids some of those dances you remember from when you were a kid.
- Play Halloween-themed games. Just because you can’t go to a party doesn’t mean you can’t have one of your own. Check out this list or Pinterest for ideas.
- Taste test Halloween candies. Get small batches of all of your favorite candies and have the whole family try them and discuss which ones they like better.
- Decorate your home. Nothing helps lift the spirits like a decorated home! Put out your Halloween decorations and go to town with your front yard, or your windows if you don’t have a yard. Let the whole world know Halloween isn’t cancelled.
- Carve pumpkins. This Halloween classic doesn’t require masks or social distancing. The final product would be a great addition to your front porch or window.
- Make Halloween crafts and snacks. Make yummy, gross-looking Halloween-themed snacks. While you’re snacking, put your hands to work on some spooky Halloween-themed crafts.
- Host a virtual party. Just because we can’t see people in person, it doesn’t mean you can’t see people at all! Invite your friends and family to join you on Zoom or Skype and swap scary stories.
Halloween is still on, everyone! It’s just gonna look weird this year!
By Bethanie Ryan