The past couple of years have been a roller coaster — especially when it comes to the way we celebrate holidays. Thanks to the ever-changing situation in the US, it's hard to predict whether our kids will end up learning virtually again at some point this year — let alone if they'll be able to participate in their favorite holiday traditions they way they knew them before 2020! Halloween is right around the corner, and at this point, we're not sure if it'll be safe enough to trick-or-treat just yet. But just in case you're not comfortable with sending your kiddos out into the street in large groups of kids, there are plenty of ways to make sure they still have fun when October 31 rolls around.
Fortunately, celebrating Halloween is about so much more than just trick-or-treating. Between doing spooky crafts together to eating delicious Halloween-themed treats, there are plenty of ways to "do Halloween" in a socially distanced world. Sure, some things that have been IRL traditions may move to Zoom, but kids will remember the time that's spent together more than anything — and as long as they get to wear their costumes and eat candy, they'll be just fine.
Make Halloween Cookies
Baking is always a good idea, but baking Halloween cookies in the fall is something special. It's a fun activity to decide on what kind of cookies to bake and then decorating them all kinda Halloween creatures and themes. Let the kids go wild with spooky or cute decorations.
Have 'Safe' Candy or Treat Exchanges
It's not really Halloween without treats and interacting with others, but there are safe ways to do it if we get creative. For example, take turns dropping off candy on the front porch of neighbors and getting some treats back in return. Tag the kids' friends on social media to get them involved.
Have Candy 'Mail' Chains
Another way to still enjoy treats from neighbors and friends is to do a mail exchange (if it's safe and approved by everyone involved). Just mail nonperishable Halloween gifts or treats to another family and then have them share something back or send something to another family on the list.
Have a Zoom Costume Parade
If learning can happen on Zoom, so can costume parades! And this time, everyone will get their chance in the spotlight. Set up a Zoom video call with everyone in the class and have them take turns showing off their costumes. Arrange prizes for spookiest, funniest, and most creative costumes.
Watch Scary Movies
Scary movies are socially distanced and safe. That's what makes them a perfect Halloween tradition that'll still happen this fall in our new normal. Make it a one-a-night movie-thon or a scary-movie marathon all at once. Have plenty of popcorn and treats at the ready.
Visit a Socially Distant Pumpkin Patch
As long as the pumpkin patches follow social distancing guidelines and they're safe to be open, it's possible to go and fetch a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch. After all, pumpkin picking is arguably one of the best parts of Halloween season. Remember to wear masks!
Make the House Spooky Inside & Out
Decorating the house for holidays is an important part of celebrating that holiday, and there is no better way to get in the spooky mood than decorating the house. Make it as whimsical or scary as needed. Have the kids get involved and carve extra pumpkins to decorate more areas of the home than you usually would.
Carve Pumpkins
Carving pumpkins, which may or may not have been picked from the pumpkin patch, is a classic stay-at-home activity that's also a sacred Halloween tradition. This year, up the creativity a notch, maybe give the pumpkin a mask! Try out some new techniques or new themes to make it more of a craft activity.
Have a Scary Story Night on Zoom
Like scary movies, Halloween is probably the best time of the year to tell scary stories (some may be more age-appropriate than others). Either get a group together on Zoom to share or just gather the family up under a pillow fort and tell away.
Read Halloween Books
If scary stories are too spooky, kid-appropriate Halloween books are an alternative. Some books are scarier while others are just about Halloween fun. Either way, reading together makes for a great seasonal activity to do at home with the kiddos.
Go Camping
Some parts of the country may be too cold to go camping by Halloween, but if it happens to be warm enough, do some backyard camping. It's spooky, but also gives everyone a chance to tell ghost stories around a fire and make some s'mores.
Make DIY Costumes
Another idea is to make DIY costumes, for just one person or the whole family. We think it's a fab idea because it's a fun activity, first of all, and second of all, it'll take a lot of time. Plus, it'll give everyone something to be proud of and to show off on Zoom.
Have a Halloween Scavenger Hunt at Home
Scavenger hunts can happen any time of year, so why not Halloween? Because a lot of kids won't be able to go trick-or-treating, having them find candy all around the house makes for an equally fun alternative. Look online for printable Halloween scavenger hunt clue sheets.
Have a Halloween-Themed Trivia Night
Older kids love playing games, so why not create a trivia game that is all about Halloween. Ask questions like, What are the lyrics to "Monster Mash" or what are the names of five chocolate candies? There are plenty of online quizzes available.
Hold a Halloween Dance Party
Dancing is not only a major stress reliever (and pre-nap/bedtime idea to get them tired) but it's also super fun. Turn up the "Monster Mash" or the "Thriller" song and just let loose and have a good time. Maybe even play freeze dance.
Make Paper Lanterns
Paper lanterns are a cute way to decorate for Halloween, and they can be a fun and creative activity for kids. Get white or black paper bags or construction paper and have the kids decorate or cut the bags before putting lights inside. Try the tutorial here.
Hold a Halloween-Themed Bingo Game
Bingo will certainly keep things a bit more calm than a dance party, but still keep things fun. Print out game cards that are all related to Halloween and have kids use their candies as game board markers. Give out holiday prizes to the winners.
Make Halloween Food
Aside from baking cookies, making a Halloween-themed spread can be an activity that also sparks a lot of Halloween-inspired creativity. Turn bananas into ghosts and chocolate-dipped strawberries into mummies. Let the kids help choose the recipes and whether they're cute or creepy and gross.
Make Spooky Crafts
Crafts, in general, get kids in the mood for the holiday, and they're likely something the kids would be doing at school anyway. Print out some Halloween coloring pages or research some seasonal crafts for them to do. Then use those crafts as decorations for the house.
Put a Halloween Playlist Together
Dance party or not, simply having Halloween music on can get anyone in the Halloween spirit. Put the playlist on while baking, doing crafts, or any other activities and it'll get everyone in the Halloween mood, whether they're trick-or-treating this year or not.
Build a Haunted Gingerbread House
Even though gingerbread houses are usually snowy and welcoming and associated with the winter holidays, change up the candy and the icing colors and suddenly, they become Halloween themed. Decorate one as a family, or let everyone decorate their own so their individual styles shine through.
Decorate a Halloween Tree
Who says keeping a holiday tree in your house is only for Christmas? If you have an artificial tree in storage, it's time to bring it out and decorate it with Halloween-themed decorations with the fam. Even better? When the holiday is over, just take off the Halloween decor and add a few turkeys. Boom — Thanksgiving tree!
Spread the Joy
One of the best ways to have fun is to spread happiness to those you love. Put together some Halloween treat packages — candy, homemade goodies, anything that would bring a smile to someone's face — and leave a surprise on the doorstep of friends and family members for them to come home to.
Paint Pumpkins
If you have little ones who are too young to carve pumpkins — or if you just don't want to deal with the pumpkin guts — try painting them instead! This way, you can let little ones have at it, and even fancy up tiny, harder to carve pumpkins to decorate the home's entryway.
Halloween Face Painting
Face paint is relatively inexpensive and easy to get a hold of, and it doesn't have to be scary, either (unless your kids want it to be!). Take turns painting one another's faces in the spirit of the holiday — to match costumes or not — and remember it all washes off in the end.
