Two cute witches holding broomsticks between them

10 Ways To Celebrate A Socially Distanced Halloween

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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!

A composite image of a collection of Covid related Halloween banners

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…

Young person wearing a full hazmat suit with gas mask

Alternatively, any oversized mask – like this huge pumpkin head – will hide a smaller, more practical one underneath.

Child wearing an oversized pumpkin head mask, wearing a tunic with ribcage design and holding a pitchfork

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 skullsDay of the Deadwitches and loads more.

Day of the Dead makeup instruction and palette showing a woman wearing Dia de los Muertos makeup and a flower crown

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.

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