Halloween is almost here! But what can we do for our kids when the CDC recommends skipping trick or treating this year?!
You can still make the holidays fun while making it safe. We’ll definitely be dressing up in costume this year, but we’re staying home and celebrating indoors instead. We put together some activities we’ll be trying at home with our families.
Halloweekend Celebration Alternatives
Halloween Movie Night - Cuddle up in costume, eat halloween candy, and watch a spooky movie or two. Common Sense Media has a great list of Halloween movies the whole family will love.
Trick or Treat Scavenger Hunt - Even if you’re not taking the kids trick-or-treating this year, they can still get some candy in a fun way! During last week’s episode, Bricia mentions that she will be putting together a scavenger hunt for Eduardo in the backyard. You can base it off of an Easter egg hunt and hide candy or little Halloween treats in the yard, or use these free printables like this one or this one to give you some ideas.
Halloween Bake Off - Put on your aprons and chefs hats, it’s time to bake! These spooky recipes are fun and easy to make with the kids. You can make them all in one night or spread them out for a Halloweekend of fun.
Virtual Halloween Party - call up your family, friends, neighbors, and/or kid’s classmates for a Zoom party. You can have a dance party, carve pumpkins, and download spooky halloween backgrounds.
Pumpkin Carving Contest - Carve pumpkins with your neighbors in your driveway, on the sidewalk, or in the backyard, but of course at a safe distance. You can even carve them via Zoom with your friends! Best carving that can be seen from across the yard wins!
Local Halloween Drive Ups - In Los Angeles, you can visit Not So Spooky Farms in the Inland Empire or get a little spookier and see Stranger Things Drive in Downtown LA. If you’re willing to venture out of your car and try some socially distanced halloween events, then LA Mag has some options for you here. Google Halloween drive up events in your city and find one near you this week!
We also spoke with Dr. Ilan Shapiro, Medical Director of Health Education & Wellness at Altamed Health Service in Los Angeles and friend of the Super Mamas, about the best ways to safe and healthy during Halloween. While the CDC recommends staying home and celebrating Halloween in other ways, if you do live in an area where you’re allowed to trick or treat, here’s what Dr. Shapiro recommends.
Top Tips for a Safe Halloween
Social distance. Don’t trick or treat with big groups, keep at least 6ft distance between groups walking ahead of you, wait for groups to finish trick-or-treating before you walk up to a house with your kids, and cross the street (if you can) when others are coming your way.
Wear a mask. You can even make it part of your costume!
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds when you’re home and after handling candy.
Learn more about how to make trick-or-treating safer on the CDC website.
Dr. Shapiro says, “The reality is that we know everything is still changing. Living in covid times is stressful for everyone, but halloween doesn’t have to be - it can still be a joyful celebration!” And he’s right! He reminds us that if we want to continue celebrating now and in the future, we have to make sure it’s possible for everyone in a safe way. He’ll also be celebrating Halloween at home by playing the Switch Witch game; in partnership with the Tooth Fairy, the Switch Witch exchanges Halloween candy for something better (and safer). It can be a new book, stickers, or a small toy. Less candy is safer and healthier!
If you have more questions about coronavirus and how to celebrate the holidays safely, talk to your doctor and refer to the CDC website.
What are your halloween plans? Will you be trying one of our activities? Tag us, we want to see what you do!
