For many of us, Halloween trick or treating is off the table due to the coronavirus. So what fun activities can we do instead to make this year’s Halloween just as fun, even if it is a little different? Here are some ideas…
I think we have all accepted that 2020 is going to be a year of doing things differently. And Halloween is going to be one of those things.
My kids love trick or treating. The costumes. Seeing friends handing out candy around the neighborhood. And of course, the candy.
But this year, we’ve decided that forgoing this particular tradition is in our best interests. I know that there are many who are still going to be out with costumes and plastic pumpkins to fill, as well as tables set up with candy to take to avoid close contact.
I also know that there are plenty of Christian families that aren’t going to miss trick or treating because they never do it anyway. Whether you celebrate Halloween or not, this post will offer ideas that can be used in place of trick or treating, or as a part of a fall celebration that has nothing to do with it. You can use them in whatever way fits the beliefs of your family.
So, let’s talk about fall or Halloween activities that can be used in place of the traditional group things that we are skipping during the pandemic.
How to Celebrate Halloween WITHOUT Trick or Treating
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Plan a Treasure Hunt
Instead of your kids running from house to house, send them on a treasure hunt on your own property. Using your house and yard, you can keep them busy for hours.
Gather individually wrapped candies, small bags of snacks, foil-wrapped pennies, and dollar store toys. Hide them like you would for an Easter egg hunt. Then have the kids dress up in their costumes and have at it. My kids absolutely love doing this!
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Host a Pumpkin Carving Contest
We normally carve our pumpkins before October 31st, but this Halloween, it can be the main event. Either individually or in teams, have your kids (and you!) have a pumpkin carving competition.
The winner can receive a small gift or some other prize to make it more interesting. A bonus for this activity is that you can invite friends and relatives to take part in the competition or in the judging via Zoom or Facetime. Make it as big and competitive as you want!
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Make “Spooky” Gift Bags to Hand out to the Homeless
The theme of your Halloween doesn’t have to be selfish or all about the candy. Purchase cute Halloween or fall-themed gift bags and fill them with essentials, like granola bars and juice boxes. Add in some socks or gloves, or a gift card to a grocery store or fast food restaurant. Whatever you want.
Have your kids put these together and then spend some time on Halloween handing them out to the homeless or needy individuals around your town. Where we live, there is usually someone at every major intersection looking for a little helping hand.
If you’re concerned about social distancing, you don’t need to get out of your car and can take proper precautions with a mask and gloves. This activity will mean a lot more to your family and those you help than trick or treating ever has.
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Have a candy exchange
You can do this after you have the treasure hunt, after a fall festival or actual trick or treating (if you opted to go), or just by filling your kids’ trick or treat bags randomly. Whichever way you’ve decided to go, end the day with a candy exchange.
Each child goes through their candy or prizes and bargains with the other kids for what they really want. My kids love doing this every year. They get rid of what they don’t want, get what they do, and have a chance to get some specials extras from mom and dad. (I usually reserve treats they love, like honeycrisp apples and peanuts in the shell to exchange for candy I really don’t want them to have – e.g. Laffy Taffy and Smarties.)
This is always a hit and can go on a lot longer than you’d think. Kids love a good bargain as much as adults do!
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Make Homemade Candy or Caramel Apples together
This is a fun Halloween activity that you and your kids can spend the day doing instead of trick or treating. Preparing the dips, setting the apples, and then enjoying them together while watching your favorite Halloween movies will be fun for everyone.
If your family loves candy apples, then let me suggest this recipe. And for the best caramel apples, I like this one. The bonus here is that if you’re not keen on all that candy, at least they are getting some actual fruit with all the sugar!
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Host a Halloween Movie Marathon
My kids love a good movie marathon (which is really just two short movies, but they’re still young). We usually spread these movies out throughout the month of October, but this year, we might just watch a few on Halloween.
If you have young kids, this list of family-friendly Halloween movies is really helpful for cute and fun movies that aren’t gory or really scary. Pop some popcorn, grab the candy bags or caramel apples, and host a fun movie night to celebrate instead of trick or treating.
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Have a Spooky Cookie Bake-off
My kids are addicted to baking, so this is right up their alley. If yours are too, or even if they’re not, hosting a fun bake-off is a great way to spend Halloween. Stock up on ingredients and fun icings and themed decorations for the event.
You can go with teams or individuals, and have each one create a Halloween cookie that’s both tasty and Halloween spooky. Like the pumpkin carving contest, this bake-off can include other people via video conference (although it will have to be judged on looks and not taste in that case). This is a super fun Halloween activity that has some really tasty results!
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Celebrate a Funny Halloween
My kids don’t really like scary things, so a lot of the typical Halloween stuff doesn’t interest them. So, we try to go for the funny aspects of Halloween.
This can include funny read-aloud books, silly songs, flashlight tag in the backyard, fake-out food (think touching pasta with sauce blindfolded and being told it’s intestines or brains), and putting on plays (we’re already in costumes, so why not?). Get creative and make Halloween about laughing instead of screaming.
Missing trick or treating can be a real bummer for our kids, but if we give them fun and exciting options that are new and different, I guarantee that they won’t even miss it. Enjoy some great family-centered activities this Halloween and make some new traditions this year!
Are you trick or treating this year? If not, how do you plan to spend Halloween with your kids? I’d love to hear about your plans and suggestions! Comment here or let me know through Facebook or Instagram!
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