Celebrating Halloween with parties and trick-or-treating is cancelled in many parts of the country this year. And in some cases, some families are choosing not to celebrate for health or personal reasons. But that doesn’t change the fact that kids love Halloween! So, here are a few ideas on how to celebrate Halloween while in quarantine and hopefully you’ll get to create some new family memories together.
1) Make an African mask. African masks are very artistic but can also be very spooky! Make your very own African mask and incorporate it into your Halloween costume or just use it to add some extra flair to your Halloween decorations at home. Click here for directions on how to make your mask.
2) Go for a Drive. Take the kids for a drive around your neighborhood to check out all the Halloween decorations, especially if you don’t have much yourself. Some cities are also organizing socially distant drive through Halloween events. Search your local news for information on events happening in your area.
3) Go on a neighborhood scavenger hunt. Make a check list of items for your kids to find around the neighborhood. It helps to walk or drive through an area with decorated houses. For extra fun, give them the kids a piece of candy for every item on your list they find. Here are some ideas for things to add to your list.
· Pumpkins on a porch
· A black cat
· Jack o'lanterns
· A skeleton
· Dracula
· A decorated door
· Blow-up Halloween display
· Witch flying on a broom
· Gravestones
· Orange lights
· Ghosts in a tree
· A Spooky house
4) Read a diverse Halloween inspired book. Children need to see diversity in their literature regardless of the topic. See our list of Halloween picture books with diverse characters. Read them out loud while your kids dream of candy, munch on pumpkin seeds, and change their costume plans for the umpteenth time!
5) Watch a Halloween movie. Cuddle up under a blanket, grab some popcorn and watch a scary but not too scary Halloween movie. See this list of movies from the Common Sense Media.
6) Make some Halloween treats. You could argue that Halloween isn't only about the candy. And you'd probably lose that argument if you're talking to anyone under 13. But even die-hard trick-or-treaters need sustenance. With these scary-good party foods, it'll be love at first bite. Click here for some Halloween recipes for kids.