Tips for staying safe while celebrating Halloween this weekend
The holiday celebrations we look forward to every fall will have to look a little different this year due to the continued elevated levels of COVID-19 community spread. So how can we enjoy the traditions of a costume and candy filled Halloween without risking spreading COVID-19 to those who may be more susceptible to critical illness than ourselves? Most importantly, we have to keep doing what we’ve been doing since March—avoiding large gatherings, keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from others, wearing a face covering, and washing our hands (thoroughly) often. Some communities have barred traditional trick-or-treating due to the risk of having many people in one place and lots of kids touching the same candy. The CDC has labeled both trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treating (candy handed out from trunks of cars in a parking lot) as high risk activities and recommended to not participate in them to help prevent the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19. The CDC also advises not to attend crowded costume parties held indoors, going to indoor haunted houses, and going on hayrides or tractor rides.
So, by now, you might be asking, well what CAN we do?! Although Halloween traditions will look different this year, there are still many ways families can have fun while avoiding being exposed to or spreading the coronavirus. Luckily, children can adapt very easily and if you communicate with them and invite them to help plan your festivities, everyone will have a safe and fun-filled day/night. We recommend staying within your household or inviting a small group of friends for a socially distanced, outdoor activity. Here are a few ideas we have come up with to keep your Halloween complete with candy and costumes:
Candy Hide and Seek: Similar to an Easter egg hunt, but Halloween style! Hide individually wrapped treats throughout your house or yard and let your children find them. If you want to make it even more fun, you can create a haunted scavenger hunt.
Virtual Costume Party: Invite your friends and/or family to a virtual costume party! You can even make it a contest for the most creative or best Halloween costume. What if everyone has to make a 10-minute DIY costume out of household items? Be creative, make it fun.
Spooky Movie Night: Dress up with your kids and watch spooky Halloween movies with them! Depending on the age of your children, here are some good kid-friendly Halloween movies: The Witches, Scoob!, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, Goosebumps, Hotel Transylvania, Coraline, and Monster House. You can always enjoy the same movie as friends and family by setting up a video chat and starting the movie at the same time, but at different houses!
Halloween-Themed Treats: Less tricks, more treats! Check out Pinterest to find some fun Halloween treats to make as a family. Make a three-course meal complete with an appetizer, dinner, and dessert—all Halloween themed. We recommend pairing this option with any of the other activities above for a more delicious and creative evening.
If your community is hosting any outdoor events where social distancing and mask wearing will be mandatory, you can consider attending those as well (if you and your family are low risk for critical illness). Though we recommend staying home and enjoying a spooky night with your family.
We understand that some of you may choose to participate in trick-or-treating or trunk-or-treating, despite the high risk of community spread in either environment. If you choose to do so, please take the following safety measures into consideration to protect those around you:
Wear a mask: Make masks a part of your costume—not the Halloween kind, but actual face coverings that will protect you and others from COVID-19. Costume masks are not a substitute for cloth face coverings unless they have multiple layers of breathable fabric. Consider decorating your mask so it matches your outfit.
Avoid crowds: Do not move door to door or trunk to trunk with a large group of people. Stay with your immediate household and keep a distance of at least 6 feet from anyone else. Wait patiently for your turn to get candy and make sure to only touch the piece you are taking—encourage your older children to do the same. Keep hand sanitizer in your pocket and use it often.
Handing out treats: Stay outside and consider lining up individually prepackaged goodies on a table for children to take. Some people are being creative by making chutes to send candy down directly into the trick or treaters basket. Avoid direct contact with trick or treaters and make sure to sanitize your hands before and after touching anything that others will touch.
Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Halloween this year, do your best to protect yourself and others and most importantly, HAVE FUN!
This Halloween is an opportunity for you and your kids to be creative and maybe even invent some new traditions for your family. Be a good role model by employing a positive and flexible attitude—if you are having fun, your kids will too. Take time to talk to your children about the importance of protecting not just themselves but their friends, family members, and peers as well. The decisions we make not only impact us, but everyone around us too. Have a safe and fun Halloween! We look forward to seeing your costumes and hearing how you celebrated differently this year.