Halloween in 2020 will be the strangest Halloween ever, but it does not mean it cannot be a spooky and fun one!
Here are five ways in which your family can celebrate a safe, yet fun, Halloween.
1. Host a Virtual Costume Contest or Party
Using a video conferencing platform, you can invite your friends and their children to a virtual Halloween party and organize a virtual costume contest, pumpkin carving competition, and other fun activities you wish.
Winners can be the most voted participants, and prizes may include candies earned for best pumpkin, best costume, etc. Use your powerful imagination to make the events memorable and fun!
2. Organize a Scavenger Hunt in your Back Yard
Are you scared of the dark? Create a nighttime scavenger hunt at home. Use glow sticks to light up your backyard. Then, place goody bags with candy near the glow sticks. The kids can go on a scavenger hunt for candy and other fun items in your glow-in-the-dark backyard area.
3. Binge on Scary Movies
If your kids are older, you can choose to watch a scary movie or share ghost stories while you stay at home. You can share the treats while you binge on scary movies without being exposed to the virus.
4. Outdoor Trick-or-Treating with Masks
If you still want to get out of the house, you can do so by following these necessary precautions. Wear a mask outdoors and ensure that it is a real safety mask. Masks that come as part of the Halloween costumes have openings for breathing and talking and are not safe to use. Instead, be creative and try decorating a cloth mask to match your child's costume.
Do NOT put the mask on children who are either below two years of age or have difficulty breathing, or cannot remove the mask themselves. Travel in small groups and practice social distancing.
5.Candy Ideas for Visitors/ Reverse Trick-or-Treat
If you offer candies to trick-or-treaters, do not use a giant bowl that people can reach into. Instead, hand them out individually; you can also use gloves for greater protection.
You may also consider "reverse" trick-or-treating and ask your neighbors to do the same. Take the candy to the kids rather than have them go from home to home. The kids can be in their front yard wearing their costumes, and adults can come by and throw the candy near them.
You can also search your local area for some drive-through Halloween events like contactless haunted houses or drive-in movies.
Is a Costume Mask Safe for My Child During Covid-19?
A mask that covers your child's nose and mouth and is made of two or more layers will provide the best protection from COVID-19. Masks with vents or other holes in them do not offer enough protection. So, use your own creative skills and try decorating a cloth mask to match your child's costume.
