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“2020 was the year of social distancing – just like with our birthdays, we adapted and found a way to celebrate a socially distanced Halloween!
Halloween 2020 was a once in a blue moon event.
No, literally!
A blue moon is what we call it when there are two full moons in one calendar month. This October 31st will not only be a Saturday, but also the second full moon of the month – hence the blue moon!
While that year wasn’t easy on anyone’s social life, we’re determined to make every Halloween a real celebration – here’s how to have some fun while staying safe and within guidelines.
Trick-or-Treating
We’ll have to reconsider how we hand out our sweets this year! As a few general rules, you should
- Avoid handing sweets directly to the kids
- Make sure they’re individually wrapped sweets
- Have hand sanitiser handy for anyone to use
You could also portion out some sweets into individual boxes or bags to make for an easy hand-off!
We’ve created these Covid banner sets to let your neighbourhood know if your house is open for trick-or-treaters or closed due to quarantine. They’ll be limited edition for this year – we hope!
And if your little ones are trick-or-treating, consider wiping down their haul when you get home like you would your groceries.
Pumpkin Trail
One idea being touted for the year is turning trick or treating into the Big Neighbourhood Pumpkin Trail! Get the whole neighbourhood involved by putting a pumpkin in your window or outside of your house – parents can then take their kids (in costume of course) on a walk to spot as many pumpkins as they can.
You can even make it feel like trick or treating by dishing out a sweet for every pumpkin found.
This tinsel pumpkin is a cheap and cheerful way to join in – or you can go all out with this black cat and pumpkin inflatable!
Halloween Treasure Hunt
If you’re stuck in the house, there’s nothing more entertaining and exploratory than a treasure hunt! We’ve already put together some clues you can use for your Halloween treasure hunt.
Carving Pumpkins
Instead of a poster or prop, why not carve your own pumpkin to join in the fun?
This is one of those activities that can be done as normal if you’re at home with family. If you want to increase the party size, you could make this a webcam affair, with other families showing their amazing creations.
Alternatively, head to the park and enjoy some socially distanced pumpkin carving! Just don’t forget to take your rubbish away with you. And if you aren’t sure how, we’ve got the scoop over here.
Trunk or Treat
These celebrations have been gaining popularity in the States for a few years as a safer alternative to walking the neighbourhood and talking to strangers.
A communal car park is agreed upon – often a church or community centre – and parents drive their kids down in costumes and decorate the boots of their car to hand out sweets. It’s kind of like a car boot sale meets trick-or-treating!
The kids get to show off their looks, the decorations make everybody feel like it’s Halloween, and it’s all done safely! 2020 might just be the year that this trend finally makes waves on this side of the pond.
Staying Safe in Costumes
If you or your kids are going about in costumes, you could choose a costume that comes with its own face covering and wear their usual face masks underneath. This Chernobyl hazmat suit feels strangely appropriate for 2020…
Alternatively, any oversized mask – like this huge pumpkin head – will hide a smaller, more practical one underneath.
Just bear in mind that none of our masks are medical grade.
Bicycle Costume Parade
Another way for the kids to show off their creepy costumes is with a bicycle costume parade! This mini procession would go around the streets so that they can see all the decorated houses, and everyone can see their fancy dress.
It also means that anyone who’s still housebound can look out of their window and enjoy the experience without having to put themselves at risk. If you’re one of those people, you can show you’re part of the fun still with this printable bunting.
Make Up Competitions
If you and your friends enjoy experimenting with new makeup looks, Halloween is the ideal time to try something a little more gruesome!
We have face painting kits for skulls, Day of the Dead, witches and loads more.
Don’t forget that we also have a playlist full of Halloween makeup tutorials over on YouTube by the incredible Sam Helen.
Partying Online
There are lots of other traditional Halloween events that can be done over webcam!
- Tell spooky stories – use a torch under your face to create a spooky glow
- Share Halloween jokes
- Have a waist-up costume parade
- Watch a scary movie together
- Decorate some fabric face masks
Crafting Ideas
Halloween is one of the best times of the year to crack out the glitter and pom poms! There are lots of Halloween crafts you could try out, including
- Decorating face masks
- Painting pumpkins
- Making or decorating a Halloween tree
- Making some jam jar Halloween decorations
- Make and play tin can bowling
Forgot about Halloween until the last minute? Check out some of our amazing Halloween printables for fun you can make yourself!”
Originally posted on the Party Delights blog in September 2020.