I feel like every one of my blog posts right now is going to have to start with some version of… “2020, amiright?” Ok, so now that we got that out of the way, we all know this year is like something else. I had been hopeful in the spring that things would be back to normal long before Halloween, but I’m now going to make the most of the situation we’re in. We love Halloween! Not the super scary stuff, but the cute and mildly spooky. I refuse to forgo the holiday entirely, because my kiddo deserves a little magic in his life right now and frankly, so do I! Here are some fun Halloween ideas when you can’t trick-or-treat.
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Halloween Ideas When you Can’t Trick-or-Treat
Virtual Halloween Ideas
Set up a Halloween-themed virtual playdate via Zoom, Google Meets or another virtual platform. Share in the fun while carving pumpkins or showing off Halloween costumes with friends, cousins or other family members. Host a virtual dance party or costume contest to fun Halloween tunes like the Monster Mash and Thriller.
Think ahead and send each guest a special themed box to open together. We did this recently for a Zoom birthday party, and it was a total hit! Don’t want to ship everything? Coordinate with other Moms to have set activities like bobbing for apples, a scavenger hunt, costume or Zoom space/backdrop contests, and other games on hand. Make a loose schedule, invite friends, queue up the music, and have a ball.
Halloween-Themed Fun at Home
All the Halloween Decor
First off, DECORATE! Have fun carving pumpkins, making faux tombstones out of cardboard, spread out fake spider webs, festive streamers and maybe pick up a few on theme decorations to add a little Halloween flair to your home. Pinterest has a wealth of family friendly Halloween and fall inspired crafts for kids of any age. Here’s a little pink Halloween decor inspo I put together last year.
Family Movie Night That Will Give You a Fright (or Not!)
Have a Halloween move night. Get dressed in your coziest jammies or pick up some themed ones. Make a big bowl of Monster Mash Popcorn and choose a movie or two from our list of Family Friendly Halloween Movies.
Halloween Scavenger Hunt
Create a Halloween scavenger hunt in and around you home. You can combine a walk around the neighborhood to locate items like these. Don’t forget to have fun prizes on hand!
- Candy Wrapper
- Jack o’ Lantern
- Bats
- Purple Lights
- Black Cat
- Witch’s Broom
- Indian Corn
- Spider
- Bones
Easter Egg Halloween Treat Hunt
Have your kids hunt for treats! Provide them with clues to locations where they can find candy or other treats a la Easter egg hunt.
Spooky Game Night
Solve the mystery! Escape rooms and murder mystery games are very popular right now. If you have older kids, pick up a game for a night of crime solving, mystery adventure, like Escape Room in a Box: The Werewolf Experiment or The Haunted Mansion – Call of the Spirits board game. Other fun and spooky family game favorites are One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Goosebumps: The Card Game of Monster Mayhem and The Secret Door.
Costume Night
Do any of the above ideas in full costume. Choose costumes for a family fashion show. Break out the face paints and hair gel and use your artistic talents to transform family members into kittens, fairies, monsters and aliens. Take fun photos to commemorate your unique Halloween at home.
Host a Monster Bash or Mini Harvest Festival
If you have siblings, close family members, are part of a co-op group or other tight knit community, host a Monster Bash or Harvest Festival! Combine over the top decorations, Halloween or fall-themed treats, music, games, and of course your best Halloween costume for an afternoon or evening of fun (while safe!) with a handful of your favorite people.
