Stay Safe While Celebrating Halloween During COVID-19

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2020 has been a difficult year for many families, and children all around the country are looking forward to heading outside in their Halloween costumes to trick-or-treat. While traditional Halloween activities are fun, there are small modifications you should make to make Halloween during COVID-19 safe and healthy.

Trick-or-Treating

  • Don’t make direct contact with trick-or-treaters. Instead, think about using a candy chute or other creative methods to hand out candy without getting within 6 feet of the children and families.
  • If you do hand out treats or want to see costumes while you celebrate Halloween during COVID-19, hand your treats out outdoors instead of inside of your home.
  • Set up a station with individually-bagged candy or treats so that children can take them off of the table.
  • Always wear a mask and wash your hands regularly when handing out candy.

Choosing a Costume

  • Select a costume for Halloween during COVID-19 that uses a mask as part of the costume by decorating a cloth mask or choosing a character that already wears a mask.
  • Don’t layer a costume mask or rubber mask over a cloth mask, as it might make it difficult to breathe properly.
  • Any children under the age of 2 should not wear masks when trick-or-treating outdoors.

Celebrate Halloween During COVID-19 While Social Distancing

  • If your neighborhood is not trick-or-treating or you are uncomfortable doing so, start new traditions like decorating your home for Halloween or carving pumpkins as a family. The traditions that you start on Halloween during COVID-19 might even become a part of your life after!
  • Take a walk around your neighborhood to enjoy all of the festive Halloween decorations from a distance.
  • Is there a pick-your-own orchard or pumpkin patch nearby? Take a visit and enjoy fun fall festivities outdoors.
  • Check your local haunted houses and outdoor events to see if they are still operating. Many traditional haunted houses have converted to drive-thru attractions this year that allow you to still get scared but keep you safe in your car and at least 6 feet from all performers and other guests.
  • If your children want to get dressed up but you don’t want the risk of spending time with other families and your neighbors, host a costume parade in your own home! Come up with prizes, like Most Creative Costume or Funniest Costume and give out small rewards, like Halloween candy or a gift card for a favorite online store.

The “Green” Stuff

  • Trick-or-Treat Bags. Use (and decorate) household items to collect candy in. A bucket, pillowcase, or old even an old bag can be decorated inexpensively at home – and reused year after year.
  • Pumpkins. Buy pumpkins from local farms or farmers’ markets. Better yet, grow your own — kids love to watch them grow!
  • Jack-o-lanterns. Don’t throw away all the goodies from inside your pumpkin. Toast the seeds for tasty treats. Make pumpkin pie or muffins with the fruit – or compost it.
  • Transportation. Trick or Treat by walking around your neighborhood instead of driving to another destination. Get to know your neighbors, reduce your carbon emissions and help keep the streets safe for other walkers.
  • Compost and Recycle. From party food to treats to pumpkins, consider composting all organic matter and recycling other items.
  • Reuse! Reuse as much as you can from year to year. Instead of throwing away an old box or bag, use it to gather all your decorations and keep for next year. Plus, you can surprise your family and friends by quickly pulling out your box and throwing an impromptu Halloween party any time of year!