Boo! - Halloween has not been cancelled! Although traditional Halloween parties and Trick-or-Treating may not be on the agenda for most during this COVID19 pandemic, there are still plenty of ways we can celebrate this special time of year in a way that is safe and that follows social distancing restrictions.
So, although Halloween celebrations may look a little different this year, that does not need to stop us enjoying a fun and memorable Halloween, goodness knows we all need a bit of light-hearted fun at the moment, right?
We have compiled a list of the very best Halloween activities for you and your family to have a spooky but safe Halloween to remember:
1. A GLOW IN THE DARK HALLOWEEN HUNT
Halloween and sweets are an inseparable combination. If trick-or-treating is off the menu then why not take some inspiration from Easter and throw a Halloween Treat Hunt.
Pop mini glow sticks in to plastic eggs or inside little treat bags, add some sweets and hide outside. You could add some extra 'spooky' by decorating the garden for Halloween with hanging witches hats and lashings of fake cobwebs.
2. A (NOT TOO SCARY) FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
Throw an extra special, cosy and memorable Halloween movie night like this one from Sugar & Charm. Need some movie ideas? Here are 45 suggestions of not-too-scary Halloween Movies by Morgan Boulevard.
3. DELIVER HALLOWEEN THEMED CARE PACKAGES
Via Pinterest, original source unknown
Make and deliver Halloween care packages to loved ones that you may be unable to spend time with. Fill with Halloween themed treats plus some useful essentials. A care package can do so much to ease feelings of loneliness and help people to connect with the seasonal festivities even though they may not be able to actively join in. This is a really fun and rewarding craft activity for the kids too.
4. DECORATE HALLOWEEN STYLE
A few decorations can really go a long way. Whatever your style, halloween decorations create a wonderful festive vibe, they will make this time feel fun and special even if it is a little bit different this year. So whether you choose to decorate the inside, the outside or the whole house, just go for it and get the decs up!
5. PUMPKIN PICKING & CARVING
Good old fashioned pumpkin carving is so much fun! And these days you can make a whole day of it. Even with most COVID19 restrictions you still may be able to go and pick your own pumpkin at an organised pumpkin farm to bring home and carve. And don't stop there, get the kids involved in roasting the pumpkin seeds for a scrummy snack and bake delicious pumpkin pie, A whole pumpkin-filled day right there!
Here is a handy list of the best pumpkin farms across the UK to pick up your pumpkin!
6. FIREPIT, S'MORES & SPOOKY STORIES
This time of year is a wonderful time to be out of doors and spend some family time together. So wait for dusk then head to the garden to light a firepit and toast marshmallows. Want to make it spooky? Tell the kids a spooky story, I guarantee they will remember this forever!
Theultimatecampresource has some great spooky story ideas to get you started.
Here is a simple recipe for S'mores from NETMUMS.
7. A DRESS UP HALLOWEEN WALK
Throw on your Halloween costumes and go for a countryside or seaside walk. But try not to scare off the ramblers! Fancy Free Walks have some really great kid-friendly walks available, the kids can help to follow the easy and fact-filled navigation and walks all include information on good stops for lunch and picnics.
8. A ZOOM COSTUME PARTY
Invite your friends and family to an online Halloween Party. Wear fancy dress and hang out on Zoom. A quiz is fun for the kids, they could win a treat for a right answer or a trick (forfeit) for a wrong one.
8. A HALLOWEEN SUPPER WITH SPOOKY FOOD
Get the family dressed up for dinner and lay the table with a Spooky Halloween spread. Delish Magazine have some incredible recipes for Halloween Feasts for you to whip up!
9. HALLOWEEN TAILGATE PARTY
Image via Giggles Galore
This one is straight from America where tailgate parties are super popular at sporting fixtures. Again please check and follow social distancing guidelines first. A tailgate party is be the perfect way to celebrate at the end of a childs sports match or after a country walk, perhaps visit Grandma and park up on her driveway or take your tailgate party to one of the many Drive-Thru-Cinemas that have popped up during the pandemic.
Basically it's a picnic in the boot of your car! Think hot chocolate, home made cookies, soup and crusty bread all conveniently placed in a Halloween decorated car boot!
For more on Tailgate Parties see these Top Ten Tailgate Tips from Giggles Galore
10. MAKE A HALLOWEEN TREE
Join the new craze sweeping Halloween and create your own Halloween Tree! So drag out your old artificial tree from the attic and get creative! Rope in the family and together fill the house with Halloween joy!
We hope we have proved that you can have a truly amazing, memorable and safe Halloween. There is really nothing to stop you, so go and get your spooky on!