Stay Safe On Halloween With These Alternative Activities

In the years gone by, Halloween was an annual event in which adults and children mixed as they walked from door-to-door asking the almost 100-year-old question, “trick or treat?” In a world gripped by COVID-19, Halloween will be a little different this year as parents not only look to protect their children, but also abide by government guidelines. Fortunately, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy Halloween outside of knocking door-to-door!

As previously mentioned, some of these suggestions may not abide by the tier of lockdown you are in, so we advise that you always follow government guidance before considering any of the suggestions in our blog. We will also try to point out which activities can and cannot be done under different tiers of the lockdown system. This is in no way about bending the rules, but instead working within them to make the most of Halloween.

Take Your Costumes Online - Everyone can enjoy this

Dressing up is certainly the most enjoyable aspect of Halloween. Whether funny or spooky, children and adults like to use this time of the year to try something different by dressing wildly out of character. Fortunately, your hard work doesn’t have to go to waste. Organise an online meetup using one of the many video call platforms such as Zoom, WhatsApp, Facetime or Skype, then you and your children can share your costumes with relatives, friends or neighbours. As an extra bit of fun, why not organise a costume contest? This gives everyone in the call the perfect opportunity to show their Halloween costume off, with the best dressed winning sweets!

Scavenger Hunt - Everyone can enjoy this

Chocolates, sweets and treats are the main reasons children across the world love Halloween. Unfortunately, going from door to door isn’t safe during a pandemic and could put you and your children at risk, so rather than going out, why not turn Halloween into a scavenger hunt? Hide sweets and other treats around the home and garden, providing a much-needed distraction from the fact they aren’t going out for Halloween this year. Encourage your children to document their scavenger hunt so that they can share photos and stories with friends.

Stream a Film Together - Everyone can enjoy this

Halloween is a time when people love to get together and watch scary films, fortunately there are numerous platforms online which will let you stream with friends. TwoSeven is a free app which enables friends to sync film streams, while they talk to one another over a video call. While it’s not the same as being scared together, it’s the best option available during the pandemic. Looking to stay at home with your family? There are plenty of child-friendly spooky films available online, so why not stay in and cuddle up on the settee. It’ll be warmer and safer than heading out.

Socially Distant Meet Up - Tier 1 & 2

Is there one friend your child really wants to see during Halloween? Well that shouldn’t be a problem, provided you follow local lockdown regulations in your area. Should you meet with someone who isn’t from your household, ensure it’s in a group of six or less and follow social distancing guidelines. It isn’t the typical Halloween event that provides children with plenty of opportunities to socialise, but it does still enable kids to show off their costumes or for friends to share a Halloween picnic together.

Celebrate with Relatives - Tier 1

Living in an area under Tier 1 restrictions? You can still meet with friends or family, but there can be no more than six people. This provides a perfect opportunity for children to dress up and visit their relatives. You could even arrange for them to trick and treat at the relative’s house, before going in to watch a film. It’s not perfect, but it could provide that slight feeling of Halloween that so many children will likely miss this year.

Virtual Pumpkin Carving - Everyone can enjoy this

Pumpkin carving is a universal activity which children and adults both enjoy. The simple act of picking a design and carving it out before proudly displaying your artistic ability - or inability - to the world is immensely enjoyable. There’s every reason to still do that this year, but why not mix it up and share your designs online where friends and family can comment and get involved.

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We understand this is not the way everyone wants to spend Halloween, but the health and safety of others has never been more important than it is now, during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. So rather than thinking about what could have been, use this Halloween to get creative and come up with some new family activities you can take part in for the years to come.

If you have any ideas for creative or unusual ways to celebrate Halloween while maintaining government guidelines, please let us know in the comments below. 

Happy Halloween!