Halloween is just around the corner, and this year we are all trying to figure out how to have a happy, COVID-safe Halloween.
Earlier this week, my 7-year-old said, “You know, you could just buy me some candy. I don’t have to get it from the neighbors.” I laughed, and if the kids won’t be disappointed, I may very well go that route. (Especially when I think about 2019’s Halloween weather. Yikes.)
But maybe you and your kids just can’t bear the thought of not trick-or-treating this year. In that case, let’s trick-or-treat as safely as possible.
Ideas for handing out candy:
- Use tongs or a ladle to scoop candy and drop it into kids’ bags.
- If you expect your neighborhood to be busy, think about how to avoid lots of people congregating at your front door. Maybe sit out in your yard or driveway so kids don’t have to congregate.
- Get creative about getting candy to kids. Try a candy chute, zip-line, catapult, or slingshot! (Think about if you’ll need good lighting so kids can find their candy!) Or, set up a fun, decorated table where kids can pick up candy themselves.
- Set nervous caregivers at ease by making a “no contact candy” sign.
- Give out something besides candy that’s easy for parents to sanitize back home, like glow sticks or bouncy balls.
Ideas for trick-or-treating with your kids:
- Do a Trunk-or-Treat with your pod or your block. You can invite families you’re quarantining with to trunk-or-treat together, limiting contact with lots of people but still having fun with friends and showing off costumes. If your neighbors are coordinated enough, you could organize something together.
- If the weather’s warm enough, carry hand sanitizer with you and use it frequently. Be extra careful about not touching your face.
- Try to wait before eating the candy. Don’t eat while you’re out and about, because you can’t wash your hands!
- Be willing to be patient, and don’t stop at someone’s house if there is a line of kids at the door. If someone’s not wearing a mask, skip it.
- Choose a costume with a mask, or put on a mask that coordinates. Don’t forget to try on the costume mask ahead of time…sometimes masks that come with costumes can be uncomfortable, but it’s going to need to stay on!
- If your kids will miss helping to hand out candy, put together some goodie bags for friends, and do porch drop-offs.
At this point, we are all weary, and we SO want life to return to normal. I get that. Let’s look at trick-or-treating as just another opportunity to demonstrate respect and care to our neighbors and families, and do what we can to stay safe and healthy.
Happy Halloween!
