Just as most things this year Halloween will be different from previous years. The traditional ways of celebrating Halloween are now frightful as doing so could bring risk of spreading COVID-19. For kids especially, times can seem scary but with a plan in place you can still enjoy trick-or-treating and your favorite fall festivities.
Check with your local officials first since an increase of COVID-19 hospitalizations some counties in Texas have banned trick-or-treating. In Harris County, officials recommend against trick-or-treating, pointing to guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to avoid going door to door and passing out treats by hand. With that in mind, below are a few ideas of how to enjoy Halloween safely with your family this year.
Trick-or-Treating
Children and their parents who will be trick-or-treating must still wear a proper face mask. You can incorporate a face mask to match their costume or pick a costume where it is an essential part .i.e. doctor or ninja. You can place a Halloween mask over a face mask as long as your child can see and breathe.
Passing out Candy
If you want to pass out candy, consider leaving candy and hand sanitizer on a table at the end of your driveway. You can also designate one person in your family to handout candy to trick-or-treaters. Please avoid having kids pick from the bowl directly because this could spread more germs.
Celebrating Halloween at Home
If you do not feel comfortable outside of your home for Halloween you can have fun by:
- Decorating or carving pumpkins with your kids. Plan a visit to your local grocery store or pumpkin patch to pick up pumpkins. You can purchase paint or carving kit from your favorite party supply store.
- Watch a scary movie. Have kids pick out a scary movie to rent on demand or through your streaming service.
- Create a candy scavenger hunt in your backyard. Visit a party store to decorate your backyard with a Halloween them. Then place candy around the backyard turning it into a fun scavenger hunt for your kids
- Host a virtual Halloween party. Invite your friends and family to a virtual party via zoom and have a costume contest.
Fall Festivities
Just because we have had to spend more time at home does not mean we have to skip our usual fall activities. You can still attend fall events by wearing a face mask, practice social distancing, not touching your face, washing your hands regularly and staying home if you feel ill.
- Haunted houses, hayrides and corn mazes. Visit businesses that offer a drive-thru haunted house experience. Hayrides and corn mazes are outside but wear a mask and practice social distancing to limit exposure.
- Pumpkin patch. Call your local farm to see their requirements for visits as they may be limited to occupants and require reservations.