Halloween isn’t all about the candy and spooky outfits; it’s about making memories with the people we care about. COVID-19 may have thrown a kink in our Halloween plans this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t get creative and make this year one to remember for the kids.
Before we get into these brilliant Halloween alternatives, we must first cover the important safety precautions that should always be followed:
1. Maintain Social Distancing
Even as we celebrate, it’s vital to remain six feet apart from friends and family outside of our immediate households. If you do need to enter into someone else’s space, keep this exposure very brief and face your heads away from each other to prevent sharing breathing air.
2. Incorporate Masks & Gloves Into Costumes
We’re already using masks, so have some fun with it! Wear a proper CDC-recommended mask underneath your costume, or check out these fun Halloween-specific masks here on Etsy that are made specifically for this instance.
3. Use Consistent & Proper Sanitization
If trick-or-treating outdoors, frequently apply sanitizer on your hands after receiving treats from someone out of the immediate family. Be on the lookout for children touching their eyes, ears, and mouth during this time, as these areas are known to be among the most vulnerable for infection. Bring Lily of the Desert’s aloe-enhanced hand sanitizer along for a convenient way to protect against the elements while keeping your skin moisturized.
4. Sanitize Candy & Candy Buckets
When returning home, sanitize all candy wrappers and store their Halloween hauls somewhere clean. Let the candy rest for 24 hours before they chow down. Make sure to buy a little stash of candy ahead of time so your kids can still enjoy some treats that evening!
Now, without further ado, let’s get into the frightful festivities…
Trick-or-Treating Outdoors
Usually we go door-to-door on Halloween. This year, it’s more like table-to-table. Prop up a table at the end of the driveway and spread candy out instead of inside a bowl. This limits people touching multiple candies, while allowing them to make their selection. Just be sure to come outside and wipe down the table every so often.
Trick-or-Treating Indoors
If you decide to not go outdoors to trick-or-treat, don’t fret! Families have come up with some awesome ideas for how to replicate the experience from the comfort of your own home.
For starters, get creative with the rooms of your haunted house. Bedrooms, bathrooms, and hall closets can all be decorated to represent different spooky themes like mummies or spiders. Deck out each door or room and have your kids knock and find that sweet, sweet candy inside. Bonus points if you hide behind the door and scare them!
Spooky Scavenger Hunt
Another great way to keep the little ones excited is to hide treats around the house like an Easter egg hunt. You can even create a scavenger list with tips on finding their tasty treasure indoors or in the backyard. Kids are sure to have a blast searching high and low to find their favorite candy bar throughout the evening.
Virtual Costume Contest
Children love to show off their costumes, and a contest is a perfect place to have them feel seen. Instead of doing it in person, organize a virtual contest on Zoom. Pick your judges and contestants, then let everyone vote on the best costumes or categories.
Carve Jack-O-Lanterns
Enjoy some quality time with the family by taking the kids in the backyard to carve some pumpkins. You can even keep the inner pumpkin seeds to season and bake for a tasty snack later. Whether you print out a traceable face or let their creativity run free, this activity will definitely keep everyone in the Halloween spirit.
Stay Clean This Halloween
Be responsible for your neighborhood children and be aware of any and all surfaces during outdoor activities. Grab a bottle of hand sanitizer to carry on your person during the evening and sanitize hands after making contact with each surface.
Lily of the Desert hand sanitizer kills harmful bacteria and germs with a 70% alcohol-based solution. It also contains 15% organically-grown Aloe vera to keep your hands soft and moisturized. You can find them at your nearest COSTCO or purchase them directly from Amazon.
We’d Love to Hear Your Halloween Ideas
Have you thought up some different ways to celebrate Halloween this year? Message us on Facebook and Instagram to show us your creativity! Feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about Lily of the Desert hand sanitizer as well. Have a happy and healthy Halloween!
