A Covid-19 Halloween

While growing up on the south shore of Long Island, New York, my twin brother and I would go trick-or-treating with our friends Glenn and Arnold. As soon as school let out, we would knock on doors yelling, “Trick-or-treat,” and would continue until our parents called for us to return home for dinner and bedtime. Years later, when I was a father of two daughters, I took them out trick-or-treating as a way to pass along my good Halloween memories. This year, due to the pandemic, parents will have to re-think their Halloween remembrances, and devise a plan that’s safe from Covid-19 exposure. 

2020 parents won’t be able to replicate their childhood Halloween experiences for their kids this year, but with a little creativity, they can concoct new experiences their children will relish. First, if you have Covid-19 symptoms, you’ll have to sit Halloween out to avoid spreading the disease to others. With that said, here are some behaviors to avoid and ideas you can emulate to make this Covid-19 Halloween memorable.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) it’s not a good idea to have indoor activities during the pandemic. This includes parties, haunted house tours, parades and festivals. If you want to accommodate trick-or-treaters, set your front door up to avoid crowds. You can leave out individual bags of candy so kids can take them without clustering. This can be done by spacing bags of candy out on a table or string those bags from a tree. Family members can take turns monitoring the table to ensure unwanted ghouls don’t take more than their share.

One fun idea for a fun Covid-19 Halloween is to decorate your home inside and out, which every family member can get involved. Another idea is a scavenger hunt. Perhaps you can provide clues to a pot of candy and treats set aside for each child hidden in your home. Each child will follow written clues until they find their Halloween treasure. Another thought is a pumpkin carving contest. Purchase a separate pumpkin for each member of the family that wants to participate. Once each pumpkin is carved find a neighbor or friend to judge the contest and pick the winning pumpkin. Finally, you can have a scary movie night. Choose a movie suitable for your family and enjoy Halloween treats. 

This year the pandemic seems to be obliterating childhood memories of our holidays of yesteryear. This Halloween, you won’t be able to replicate your childhood experiences for your kids, but with a little creativity, you can create new adventures your children will relish for years to come. 

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