October officially marks the beginning of spooky season — although, we can all agree that 2020 has been pretty spooky as a whole. While Halloween may look a bit different this year, there’s no reason to miss out on any of the tricks and treats this season brings!
Here are a few ways you and your family can celebrate Halloween safely.
10 Fun and Safe Halloween Activities:
1. Carve Pumpkins
A classic Halloween tradition, carving or painting pumpkins is a great family activity that you can do indoors or outdoors. Jack-o-lanterns are a fun way to express your creativity, whether you’re into gruesome ghouls or prefer a simple smiley face.
2. Bake Halloween Treats
Gather the kids in the kitchen and whip up some tasty treats this Halloween. From sugary sweets such as spider web cupcakes and tombstone cookies, to savory bites like hotdog witch fingers and mummy pizza bagels, there are so many delicious creations to test out.
3. Make a Halloween Mask
We’re not talking about a creepy clown mask. Unfortunately, Halloween is no longer the only time of year where it makes sense to wear a mask. Since, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), wearing a mask helps protect you and your children from catching and spreading COVID, you may as well wear a mask you enjoy! This year, DIY some face masks to match your kids’ Halloween costumes so they can still participate in the fun safely.
4. Spooky Movie Marathon
Whether you’re a scream queen or a scaredy cat, there are endless options when it comes to Halloween movies to enjoy as a family. Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ offer all the Halloween classics, plus new releases your kids will love. If you have younger children (or you’re just a kid at heart), you can’t go wrong with family favorites like Hocus Pocus and Casper. For those who enjoy a good scare, check out the newest addition to the Halloween franchise — you’re surely in for a fright!
5. DIY Haunted House
Traditional haunted houses may not be a safe Halloween activity this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make one of your own! Pick up some indoor Halloween decorations to create a haunted mansion of your own, complete with spider webs, skeletons and a cauldron of witches’ brew, or deck out your yard to scare passersby.
6. Virtual Costume Party
Depending on where you live, trick-or-treating may not be advised this year. If your kids can’t meet up with friends and show off their costumes around the neighborhood, host a virtual costume party! We’ve all become very familiar with Facetime happy hours and family dinners over the last few months, so throwing a virtual costume content will be a breeze. The kids will love getting to flaunt their costumes in front of their friends and spend the holiday together as best they can.
7. Ghoulish Games
Although Halloween parties are canceled this year, there are so many party games you can play right at home. Let the kids get their hands dirty with a Halloween feel box. Try peeled grapes for “eyeballs,” cold spaghetti for “worms” — the possibilities are endless. Other classic Halloween games include Wrap the Mummy and Candy Jenga!
8. Get Crafty
Crafting is the perfect indoor Halloween activity to stay safe this spooky season. All you really need are some paint or markers and a few pieces of paper, but you can get as detailed and creative as you’d like. Some fun craft ideas include jack-o-lantern mason jars, pipe-cleaner spiders, paper bats and even DIY Halloween slime.
9. Donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
As scary as this year has been for us all, we should remember that someone always has it worse. Halloween is normally a time of year when St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patients get to dress up and celebrate with loved ones and visitors. If you have the means, consider making a donation to St. Jude or send patients an encouraging message to let them know you’re still thinking of them during this time.
10. Send Treats to Troops
Make our troops feel like kids in a candy store by donating Halloween candy to Treats for Troops, a program created by Soldiers’ Angels. Sending candy serves as a little reminder that military families at home miss and love their servicemembers — and can’t wait to see them again soon.
What other safe Halloween activities are you participating in? Share your ideas and pictures with other MilSpouses on SpouseLink’s Facebook page!
