Halloween might look a little different this year but don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be cancelled. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention might have labeled traditional trick-or-treating a “higher-risk” activity, but there are still plenty of ways to get creative and keep Halloween fun and safe this year.
Here are a few fun ways you can add twists on your favorite holiday traditions to stick to social-distancing guidelines.
Trick or Treat With Caution
Some people are moving forward with trick-or-treating and that’s ok, but just be careful about gathering in large groups at doorways or reaching into bowls of candy that everyone else has touched. Some people are getting creative and coming up with amazing ways to avoid these exact issues. You can find some of those wild ideas on the internet, like this “candy chute.”
Want to try your hand at making one yourself?
To keep trick-or-treating safe, you could also try:
- Waiting outside for trick or treaters, so they don’t have to ring the doorbell or gather around the door. Have them approach one at a time to get their candy
- Prepare individually wrapped candy bags set up in the yard for kids to grab
- Paste bags of candy to sticks and create a candy garden in your yard kids can come pick
Have a Halloween Get Together (with close friends & family)
Whether it’s the people in your household or a select few friends and family, many of us already have a circle of people we are comfortable being around. On Halloween, invite these people over for a social-distanced get together and celebrate the season with:
- A bonfire and s’mores
- An outdoor, socially-distanced, pumpkin carving party
- A scary movie marathon
Virtual Costume Contest
There may not be as many costume contests this year but that doesn’t mean you should miss out out on the chance to show yours off. Jump on a Zoom call with some of your favorite people and strut your stuff in front of the camera. Maybe even give out virtual prizes like gift cards to local businesses that are struggling to stay in business.
Costume Parade
If you’re not feeling the virtual thing, take your costume to the streets (not in a Pretty Woman type of way…unless that’s your costume, of course). Host a neighborhood, socially-distanced costume parade and invite the local kids (and adults) to show off their costumes parade style.
Scavenger Hunt
If your neighborhood has been enthusiastic about decorating, create a scavenger hunt for your kids, inviting them to wander the neighborhood and spot different items hiding among the decorations. This is a great choice if you’re not comfortable going up to houses.
Protect Yourself
Have fun but make sure to stay safe. If you can avoid activities like haunted houses or haunted hayrides or tractor rides with people who don’t live in your household.
And remember when you choose your costume, not all masks mean protection. A costume mask isn’t going to protect you the same way a regular mask will.
Don’t Forget Your Feet
No matter which activity you choose, Halloween might still mean a workout for your feet. With all the parades, scavenger hunts, and showing off your costume, make sure your shoes will support you through all the activities.
Add Orange Insoles to the shoes you’ll be wearing to make sure your feet can keep up with your enthusiasm.