6 Fun and Safe Ways to Celebrate Halloween at Home This Year

Halloween is almost here, and for most kids, this time of year is filled with the excitement of finding the perfect costume and the anticipation of getting all that delicious candy. Unfortunately, Halloween is going to look a little different this year. Experts agree that most popular Halloween traditions are just not safe to participate in during the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC recommends avoiding activities such as traditional trick-or-treating, indoor parties, indoor haunted houses, and going on hayrides with people not in your household.

That leaves parents with the tough task of providing kids with some semblance of normalcy in a decidedly abnormal year. If you feel uncomfortable letting your kids go trick or treating this year, you’re not alone. We’ve compiled a list of alternative activities to help make the most of celebrating Halloween at home.

1. Pumpkin carving

Halloween just wouldn't be complete without Jack-O-Lanterns! Outside of trick or treating, is there any activity that screams (pun intended) Halloween more than pumpkin carving? It's a great way for kids to exercise their creativity and express themselves. The older kids can try actually cutting their pumpkins (with parental supervision), but for the little ones we recommend painting rather than carving their pumpkins.

Or, you can take your edible Jack O’ Lanterns to the next level with Halloween themed Modeling Chocolate faces!

Modeling Chocolate Recipe

2. Candy scavenger hunt in or around the house

Did anybody else love scavenger hunts when they were a kid? This is probably the next best thing to trick or treating. Write some spooky clues, let the kids dress up in their costumes, and creep around the house or even around the neighborhood with them looking for hidden candy. Use glow in the dark items to hide the treats and take flashlights with you to make it extra scary!

3. Virtual costume party and contest

The costumes were always my favorite part of Halloween as a kid. I know I would be really disappointed to not get to dress up for Halloween, and I bet your kids feel the same way. Get together with their friends' parents and plan a virtual costume party and contest. The kids get to dress up and hang out with their friends! Double win!

4. Pre-filled bags of candy or candy chute

One way to still give out candy and stay socially distanced is one-way trick or treating. Fill some plastic baggies with candy and leave them on your front porch or the end of your driveway for trick-or-treaters. Or get really creative and build a candy chute!

The CDC considers this to be a "moderate risk activity", so please use caution and wash your hands before and after preparing the treat bags.

5. Movie night

Halloween and horror movies are a perfect pair. Let the kids pick out a couple of age-appropriate scary movies, pop some popcorn, grab some of that Halloween candy (I know you've still got plenty left in that big bag), and sit down as a family and spend some quality time being scared out of your minds! If you've got a projector, set it up outside and hang a white sheet on the side of the house for the ultimate boo-vie going experience!

6. Halloween baking 

Halloween's not just for candy! There are so many fun and spooky ideas for decorating cookies, cupcakes, and other treats for Halloween. Check out our selection of Halloween items! 

Sprinkles Candy Eyeballs Pack with Eyes in 3 Sizes

$5.99

Turn your cookies and cupcakes into monster-iffic creations with edible candy eyeballs! They come in a variety of sizes and colors so you can custom-eyes your treats in lots of ways.

Chocolate Mold Eyeballs

$3.00 $1.00 Sale

How about some icky, sticky, creepy, crawly gummy worms and eyeballs?

We have everything you need to make these decadent candy apples!

Hard Candy Mix

$6.99

Hard Candy Mix (Sugar Free)

$12.99 $7.00 Sale

Lorann Flavorings 

$2.50

Food Coloring

$9.99

Candy Apple Sticks

$7.99

	Zombie Hands Cupcake Picks $0.25 $0.13 Sale Dessert is the best part of a full-corpse meal, and these frightfully fun zombie picks will have them reaching for your cupcakes! View Details
	Monster Eye Cupcake Rings $0.25 Monster eyes *clap* They're watching you *clap clap* These fun and colorful monster eye cupcake rings instantly give any cupcake a spooky face only a mom-ster would love. But we bet your little ones will enjoy goblin them up too! View Details

Need more ideas and inspiration? Check out our Halloween Baking Pinterest Board!

CDC Recommendations for Trick or Treating and Other Halloween Activities

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/halloween.html

Try These Scarily Delicious Halloween Recipes. If You Dare!

https://www.kids-cooking-activities.com/Halloween-kid-recipes.html

https://www.countryliving.com/food-drinks/g1029/halloween-treats-for-kids/

https://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/20-fun-halloween-treats-make-kids.html

Tons of More Fun Halloween Activities!

https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g22355935/halloween-family-activities/

https://www.parents.com/holiday/halloween/games/halloween-activities-for-kids-you-can-do-at-home/

https://happilyevermom.com/fun-halloween-kids-activities/

https://www.weareteachers.com/halloween-classroom-games-activities-crafts/