For many kids (and adults!), Halloween is a highly anticipated holiday full of friends, frights, and, of course, treats. However, as Halloween approaches this year, many families are reconsidering their annual traditions in the face of a global pandemic. With the safety of gathering for parties or trick or treating in question, we’ve come up with some ideas to make the holiday extra special – and safe – for the entire family.

Keep it clean, keep it distanced

Many of the same common sense health safety tips we use every day apply on Halloween: Wash hands frequently, maintain social distancing, and carry hand sanitizer.

Incorporate your mask into your costume

With so many retailers now selling masks, you can find a mask to match almost any costume! Or, you can purchase simple white masks and let your kids decorate them with fabric pens (paint isn’t recommended, as it can make the mask less breathable). Or try tie-dye for a colorful alternative.

Have a virtual costume party with friends and family

You can dress up, make halloween treats, and meet your friends and family on Zoom for a virtual party. Host a costume contest with virtual prizes, such as gift cards.

Have a Halloween scavenger hunt in your own house or yard

If you plan to stay home on Halloween, consider coming up with a candy scavenger hunt – hide treats all around your house or yard and let your little ghost or goblin loose to find it all. They’ll get the thrill of collecting candy without having to leave home!

Trick or Treat safely

If you live in an area with lower COVID rates, or if you are comfortable with trick or treating, you might still be heading out to knock on doors, or you may be manning the door to hand out candy. Here are some tips to help you stay safe:

  1. Wear a mask, whether you’re trick or treating or handing out candy
  2. Carry hand sanitizer and use it between houses/trick or treaters
  3. If you get to a house and there are other people already at the door, stand back and give them space. This might mean waiting on the sidewalk until they pass.
  4. If you are handing out candy, think about ways to give out candy without getting too close. You can pre-package goodie bags and leave them on a small table 6’ from your front door, and greet children from inside when they approach. Consider leaving a bottle of hand sanitizer out for people to use as they approach.
  5. Consider creating a one-way path for trick or treaters coming to your house – they can approach using the path to your front door and leave via the driveway.

Whatever you decide to do, Halloween can still be fun for the whole family. For more tips and information about whether certain activities are high- or low-risk, please visit the CDC’s Holiday page.