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No one would have predicted last year that this Halloween, we would be in the middle of a pandemic. A lot of vacations, gatherings and concerts have been cancelled and or postponed due to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Halloween has always been a beloved tradition by people of all ages. Kids go get their favorite treats door to door while others enjoy going pumpkin picking, hay rides and Haunted Houses.

There have been some videos circling the web where people are getting creative on how to give candy to trick-or-treaters while socially distancing. One family in Pennsylvania created a “Candypult” where they can safely give candy on their porch while socially distancing.

If you are trying to refrain from trick-or-treating with your children this year, do not fret! There are several ways to keep the Halloween spirit alive and well into your home.

1. Halloween Movie Night

Get your popcorn ready! There are several Halloween family friendly movies streaming on Netflix and Disney+. A recommendation would be Hocus Pocus, Nightmare Before Christmas or Halloweentown. These movies will be a fun tradition for all as you enjoy some spooky snacks.

2. Pumpkin Carving

A tradition for most already! Instead of heading to crowded pumpkin patches, you could purchase a pumpkin at any grocery store and purchase carving tools. If you attend a farm that has a pumpkin patch, research how they are responding to the pandemic to see if it is safe to attend. After getting your pumpkins, have a pumpkin carving contest and see which family member wins!

3. Candy Scavenger Hunt

If your kids are bummed about no trick-or-treating this year, you can resort to a candy scavenger hunt. Create candy treat bags as your “loot” and hide them around the house. To make it even more fun, try to create some fun halloween riddles as hints of where to find the candy.

4. Halloween Bake-Off

Grocery stores such as Walmart and Target carry fun baking supplies for Halloween. Why not have a bake-off? Whether it is pumpkin bread, Pilsbury ghost cookies or even some fun spooky cupcakes, everyone is a winner for this bake-off!

5. Zoom or “Virtual” Costume Contest with Family & Friends

I think one of the biggest questions each year for kids is what they want to be for Halloween. The excitement of looking on Pinterest or going to Spirit Halloween for inspiration is one of the many highlights of the Halloween season. Since we want to be safe and careful this Halloween and not miss a thing, why not host a virtual costume contest with family and friends? Winners of the contests can win virtual gift cards or just bragging rights! Do not forget to include multiple categories such as “Most Original”, “Most Scary” and “Funniest Costume.”

Happy Halloween!