Making the Most of Halloween During Covid-19

By Melany Troller, M.Ed.

Covid-19 is not just a bunch of “hocus pocus”, but that doesn’t mean Halloween can’t be fun this year! The CDC has released guidelines and suggestions on ways to celebrate Halloween at low-risk, medium-risk, and high-risk. Using those guidelines you can choose what is best for your family and still have a “spooktacularly” good time! 

Low-Risk, High Fun!

Devious Decorating

Decorating your house with the kids is low-risk and tons of fun! Whether you choose to decorate inside, outside, or both, you can get into the spooky spirit of Halloween and transform the everyday into a monstrous good time. Grocery stores often sell pumpkins that you can purchase to decorate, making it convenient to get your ghoulish gourd!

Devilish Disguises

Set up a virtual costume party with friends from across town or even across the world! There are a variety of applications that allow for virtual group meet ups! You can still “see” each other and have the fun factor without the worry. Set up contests, dancing, or trivia!

Ghostly Apparitions

There are so many fun Halloween movies to choose from! Pair a Halloween movie viewing with spooky treats. Check out Pinterest for delicious delights like popcorn or candy in a plastic glove, Dracula’s dentures with chocolate chip cookies and marshmallows, or ghost lollipops by wrapping lollipops in white tissue! The ideas are endless and the movies are frightfully fun!

Medium-Risk, Monster Fun!

One-Way Trick-or-Treating

Neighborhoods can work together to set-up a map with a one-way path for kids to follow to trick-or-treat to minimize contact and maintain social distancing! This involves collaboration and planning, but can be a medium-risk fun way to enjoy Halloween!

Paranormal Parade

A continued theme in ensuring a medium-risk Halloween experience is working together. Another fun opportunity for kids is to have a costume parade route planned out in the neighborhood, not necessarily at any specific homes, with candy stations sprinkled throughout (and hand sanitizer!).

Spooky Stroll

Many this year are throwing themselves into decorating (guilty as charged!). Taking a spooky yet socially-distanced stroll through your neighborhood to check out other decorations is a medium-risk fun way to get into the spirit of Halloween (and to make it low-risk drive instead of walk).

High-Risk, Horrific Fun!

Traditional Halloween Trick-or-Treating

Traditional trick-or-treating does have the risk of crowds gathering and being exposed to more individuals you may not know. Wearing a protective mask is a must for this.

Traditional Trunk-or-Treating

Traditional trunk-or-treating involves trick-or-treating out of the, typically, decorated trunks of cars. This also has the risk of crowds gathering and being exposed to more individuals you may not know. Don’t forget to wear a mask and bring hand sanitizer with you.

Attending a crowded, indoor costume party

If you choose to attend an indoor costume party with your kids, do not forgo your masks! Outdoor parties are preferable, but if you are indoors keep your mask on and wash your hands regularly.

PB Parenting are not safety experts. There is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 that exists in any public place where people are present. Check out the CDC periodically for updates on considerations for public safety. And remember: it is always spooky good fun to practice social distancing, properly wear a mask, and wash your hands!

Melany Troller is a mom, educator, freelance writer, and teaching & learning consultant.

You can reach her at committedtoteachingandlearning@gmail.com