Quarantine-o-ween
This year has been different in a lot of ways. Halloween is no exception. Trick-or-treating will be different around the country, and your family may not want to participate this year anyway. I have made a list of Halloween activities to enjoy with your family. Some of them will be great to do leading up to Halloween and some of them will be good to do on Halloween night in place of trick-or-treating.
Have your own Halloween Party
When I was younger, I watched Halloween movies like Hocus Pocus and always thought it would be fun to have a big party on Halloween instead of going trick or treating. I always went to parties before Halloween, but never on the day itself because that was reserved for trick or treating. I totally get that, but this year could be the year to have a big party instead. You of course will want to be cautious of who is invited and how many people are invited to this party. You may only want to invite people who already live in your household and that is fine. I believe you can have a great party with only your immediate family members.
Have a virtual Halloween party
If you’re not up for a real-life in-person Halloween party set up a virtual party with your friends or family members. You can play zoom games and have a costume contest. You could incorporate some ideas from this list and take turns telling scary stories.
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Watch Halloween Movies
See my list of suggested Halloween Movies
Build a fort
Building a fort would be really fun to add to a Halloween movie. When I was younger, I loved watching movies from a homemade fort. It’s cozy and just a little bit creepy.
Read Halloween Books and stories
Visit a local pumpkin patch, apple orchard, or a corn maze
I love visiting pumpkin patches and apple orchards in the fall. They are always full of pretty colors and they have fun things to do and see. Since this activity is outside it is one of the safer options for Halloween this year.
Play games
I feel like Clue just screams Halloween. It’s a murder mystery. It’s perfect for Halloween. Are there any other creepy games you know of to play on Halloween? If you’re not up for playing the game, you can always watch the movie.
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Make or choose your Halloween Costume
Hopefully, this one will be done well before Halloween, but it is always fun for me to put together costumes for my family. I have a few ideas further down the list for you to show off your costume. You can see some of my costume suggestions as well.
Make a Halloween treat
Some suggestions are popcorn balls, Halloween cookies, caramel apples, apple cider, or a pumpkin-flavored treat. Homemade root beer would be really fun because the dry ice makes a lot of smoke. Make sure to check back next week for more Halloween treat ideas.
Visit a ghost town
There may be a place very near you that you can go to and explore. I personally love to visit these places and imagine what they used to be like. There is something super eerie about them being left empty though.
Make a Halloween craft
There are Halloween craft ideas all over the internet right now. Find one you like and give it a try or make up your own.
Bob for apples
This is a classic game and usually, it’s not a very good idea because of all of the germs that are spread, but if you’re doing it at your own home with your own family it’s probably okay.
Go for a hayride
If you can find a way to create a hayride or find one to go on I definitely recommend it. They are just so much fun, especially for little kids who have never had the opportunity to do anything like it before.
Carve a pumpkin
This is a classic Halloween activity. You can have your kids draw their own patterns on their pumpkins and help them to carve them, or you can use patterns to make a design they like. Save your pumpkin seeds and roast them for a yummy and healthy treat. If you’re not one for carving a pumpkin, try painting one instead.
Go to a fall festival
Check out what’s going on in your town. See if they’re having a fall festival, boo at the zoo, socially distanced trick or treating, or virtual storytime at the library.
Visit a haunted house
Some of the haunted attractions are practicing social distancing guidelines and some are outdoors. Just make sure you check ahead to be sure that you are comfortable with the safety measures they are taking.
Haunt your own house
I love decorating for Halloween. I usually start months early so that I can enjoy them for a long time. Have your kids help so that they can enjoy the fun too.
Walk or drive around and look at Halloween decorations
This is kind of like driving around and looking at Christmas decorations, only at a different time of year. A lot of people decorate for Halloween and it’s fun to see what your friends and neighbors have created.
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Make a DIY decoration
There are loads of DIY Halloween decorations online, or you could go with a classic scarecrow. Just try to find something that will be fun to do with your kids.
Sport a Halloween hairdo
This would be a fun thing to do leading up to Halloween. I’ve seen people with tiny toy skeletons incorporated into a braid, or their hair painted orange to look like a pumpkin. This could be a fun way to celebrate.
Scavenger hunt
Have a scavenger hunt around your home or outdoors. Look for fall or Halloween themed items. You can have candy as prizes.
Have special meals all day on Halloween
Check back next week for ideas on Halloween foods perfect for all times of the day.
Wear your costume all-day
Let your kids wear their costumes all day if they want to. If you aren’t going trick-or-treating, it’s a way to add some fun to the day.
Have your own Halloween carnival
Host your own family Halloween carnival. You can have activities like pumpkin ring toss, pin the face on the jack-o-lantern, or pumpkin bowling.
Visit a Drive-in Movie Theater
Some drive-in movie theaters are having special Halloween showings this year. If you don’t want to stay home, a drive-in movie theater is a good way to enjoy something special safely.
Visit a cemetery and tell scary stories
I love scary stories and what better place to start than at a cemetery, just make sure to be respectful while you’re there.
Trick or treat around the house
You can set up stations around your house or have your children knock on all of the doors in your home to trick-or-treat
Hunt for candy
Consider having an Easter egg style hunt for candy around your home or yard.
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I hope that you found some good ideas to celebrate Halloween this year if you decide not to go trick-or-treating. If you have more ideas please leave them in the comments! Make sure to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest to get my latest updates and check back next week for more Halloween fun!
