Tips for Having a COVID-Safe Halloween This Year

Halloween this year may look a little bit different than years past, but that doesn’t mean that kids, families, and friends can’t have fun together! Big parties and gatherings may not happen, but the costumes and fall traditions are still able to continue with a few minor adjustments to keep everyone safe from COVID-19.

Whether you’re looking for ways to keep your kids safe while they trick-or-treat, or you’re looking for fun COVID-safe activities to do with your friends, our tips for having a COVID-safe Halloween can help you to celebrate the holiday while following COVID-19 guidelines.

Here are 5 tips for having a fun, COVID-safe Halloween this year!

Redesign the way your neighborhood trick-or-treats to prevent contact between individuals!

Instead of having children knock on each neighbor’s door and then interacting close-up on the doorstep, consider creating a neighborhood policy of putting the bowls of candy in the front yard, at the end of the porch steps, or at a table 6 feet away on the driveway. By maintaining social distance rules, neighbors can still interact without spreading germs. Just make sure everyone is wearing a mask or face covering, using hand sanitizer after touching candy, and taking turns when walking up to the candy to avoid children collecting together in groups. Also be sure to follow CDC guidelines, and understand what the CDC has to say about holiday celebrations before redesigning your Halloween traditions.

Celebrate at home with your family by designing your own “trick or treat” party!

Instead of walking house-to-house in the typical trick or treating style, set up your own personal trick or treat party at home for you and your family. Set up bowls around the house, in the backyard, or on the driveway with each family member’s favorite candy and set up fun games in between to have fun all together. Or turn trick or treating into a scavenger hunt! Set up clues around the house based on a spooky story, and have your family members follow along the mystery in search of their favorite candy!

Set up a virtual Halloween costume party!

Instead of gathering all together in person to show off your costumes and vote for your favorites, set up an online event to take place via a video call. Encourage your friends to go all out and dress up in a fun, creative costume, then create awards based on “Best overall costume” “Most creative costume” “Funniest Costume”, etc., and vote at the end on who should win. Each person can take their turn showing off their costume and explaining who/what they are in front of everyone without the need for everyone to be together in the same room. Encourage everyone to make themselves some spooky, Halloween themed treats as well to enjoy during the virtual party. You can even create an award for the “Spookiest treat”!

Instead of dressing up in costumes and going trick or treating, stay at home with a few close friends or family members to do other fun fall activities!

Get some pumpkins and carve or paint them together outside in the cool fall temperatures, or watch a Halloween movie together inside or outside with a projector. You can even spend the day baking some of these tasty Halloween themed treats and enjoying them together while telling spooky stories by a bonfire.

Consider how you can give back and use the fun holiday to make others smile!

During the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone has felt the stress from the changes to our everyday lifestyles, and many healthcare workers are having to work extra hours to keep their communities safe. Think about the people in your neighborhood, community, or family who could use a special treat during this season, and make them a fun Halloween themed gift basket! Fill it with freshly baked fall-themed treats, decorated pumpkins, or gift cards to their favorite local stores. Then deliver it to their doorstep, or to the front desk at their work, and let them know that you’re thinking about them during this difficult time.

Although we may not be able to have the same parties and trick or treating events like usual this year, Halloween 2020 can still be a fun day all together with these fun, COVID-safe Halloween ideas. From all of us here at Lamar Law Office, Happy Halloween!