Halloween season is just around the corner! Normally a time for candy, adventure and all the scary and fun festivities, Halloween this year may look a little bit different. Due to COVID and new health codes, masks are now not just for Halloween time. Some tips on celebrating Halloween during COVID may be helpful to keep the holiday as enjoyable as possible for you and your family.
Trick or Treating
The usual “hands in the bucket” way of getting Halloween candy isn’t going to fly this year with the concern of spreading germs. It’s important to maintain safety and health recommendations but there are still ways to pass out treats safely. Instead of one bowl that children grab out of, bag the candies separately in little goodie bags and leaving them on a table of sorts for kids to come up and take. You can also try hanging candy off a fence or tree, so little ghosts and witches can pick their treats the way one would pick an apple.
Celebrating with Others
Usually, Halloween means spending time with the neighbors and letting your kids play. Try setting up some tables and chairs spread out on a driveway or cul-de-sac and bring your own food rather than having a potluck. If you follow the proper socially distancing measures you can still enjoy a cup of cider and some treats together.
Entertain without Going Out
If you choose not to trick or treat this year there is more fun ways to celebrate at home!
- Make your own haunted house – This can be a great way to get your kid involved and they can enjoy walking through a spooky haunted house made just for them! Buy spiderweb, fake spiders, turn the lights off and try playing hide-and-seek in your own personal haunted house!
- Movie Marathon – Who doesn’t love a good Halloween-themed movie marathon? This can be a classic activity during Halloween, while you sit down and eat up all the goodies you have. Whether you pick a Disney favorite or a classic horror movie, you’ll be sure to get into the spooky spirit!
- Share ghost stories – A classic, fun, and slightly creepy tradition usually in camping can be done at home! A campfire with ghost stories is the perfect way to keep you and your family entertained. It also allows everyone to enjoy fresh air and autumn chill.
- Carve pumpkins – A Halloween tradition that can be done anywhere anytime is carving pumpkins! The gooey messiness and a vast amount of possibilities make it endless fun for any family. Whether it’s a jack-o-lantern full of sharp teeth or a sweet animal, make it a competition, and don’t forget to bake the pumpkin seeds for a yummy treat!
- Get crafting – Just because you’re not going out doesn’t mean you can’t dress up! Making some fun DIY crafts can be a wonderful way to get creative and DIY costumes are a great money saver and way to spend time with your children creating something that they get to wear and enjoy.
Do you have any ideas that aren’t on this list? Share them with us by tagging the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati! While we may not be able to enjoy the holiday in person, we can still have fun. Halloween from a distance this year can still be a good of a time. Remember, the Y isn’t just a gym, it’s a community.