I’m doing it! I’m going to designate 2020 as the “year of weird.” There has just not been much that has been “normal” this year. So, why should we think that Halloween 2020 is going to be any different? I guess it means that we need to explore social distancing Halloween ideas. . .I mean, we don’t want to ruin the theme, right?
As a matter of fact, Halloween is the perfect holiday for celebrating “weird!” So, let’s do it up right.
As grandparents, we have a need to be a little more careful this year but if you’re like me, you still want to do something fun with/for your grandchildren. . .and maybe the neighbor children as well. After all, the kids in our neighborhood call us “Nana and Papa” too.
In exploring the options for social distancing this Halloween, here’s what I have found:
Social Distancing Halloween Idea #1: A Candy Graveyard
This is a fun idea that I saw on the Oriental Trading website. Make a little maze that cuts through your yard and have some fun “stops” along the route. To mark the path, put arrows on the ground, luminaries along the path, numbers, the letters “Happy Halloween”, or just rope it off.
Then have a little sign that says “Enter Here” or “Enter at your own risk” or “Treats This Way.” Whatever you think won’t scare the kids off too much. That way they will know where to begin.
Along the path put out buckets with candy, toys, a sign with a joke, a fun picture, or other decoration, etc. Make it a fun little walk for the kids to go through, but make sure they can go through quickly. You don’t want them to dilly dally on the path. Send the kids through individually or by family.
I think you get the idea. Let your creativity go “weird” and think up some Halloween fun!
Here’s a blog post from the Oriental Trading website. They have some other social distancing Halloween ideas that you may be interested in.
Social Distancing Halloween Idea #2: Candy Wall
This idea also came from Oriental Trading. You can put up a “wall” of some kind. You need something that you can decorate and hang candy from. I was thinking a gate from an old chain link fence might work. Or you could stand up a piece of plywood against your house. Or even build a simple stand out of PVC pipe.
After you have your stand, just cover it with something festive. You could put up an old white sheet with some spooky black eyes. You could hang strands of Halloween garland or pumpkin leaves. Or you could stand some corn stalks against it. You may even consider putting a giant spider web across it with a giant spider in the corner (not me, thanks, I’m SUPER arachniphobic – eeeewwww!).
From your festive stand, hang candy with push pins or clothes pins and let the kids walk by and grab one from the “candy wall.” Here is the idea from the Oriental Trading website.
Social Distancing Halloween Idea #3: Glow-in-the-dark Egg Hunt
We’ve done a glow-in-the-dark Easter Egg Hunt, but what a novel idea to do a Halloween Egg Hunt! This is done the same way as the Easter hunt. Simply put mini glowsticks (1 ½” – 2”) inside colorful plastic eggs. I like to include either a candy or small toy inside the egg.
You will want to wait to break the glowsticks until you are within a couple of hours before putting the eggs out for the hunt because they usually only last about 8 hours or so.
As an added bonus, these would also be great for lining the path through the “Candy Graveyard.”
Social Distancing Halloween Idea #4: Decorate a Treat Table
This is one of the most simple social distancing Halloween ideas. Decorate a treat table and set out treats for the kids to just come by and grab. This can be a really easy way for everyone to keep their distance while still being able to share.
Think about decorating your table with a theme. For instance, you could use The Nightmare Before Christmas as inspiration. You could make a mock spinning wheel with Oogie Boogie nearby. You could dress up as Jack or Sally and stand behind the table. Or you could simply have a black and white striped tablecloth with decorative pumpkins on the table. . .and don’t forget the big bow!
You could decorate a table with fun, cutesy pumpkins and cornstalks. Throw in a few fall leaves and you’re all set.
Perhaps you like things a bit more scary and do the giant spider web and spider from the suggestion above. (Again, not me!!)
After you decorate your table, put out small bags of treats for each little ghost or goblin. OR you could poke holes in a pumpkin (with an ice pick or drill) and put lollipops in each hole. Then the trick-or-treaters can just grab out a lollipop as they walk by the table. Here are a few examples of that:
Social Distancing Halloween Idea #5: Doorstep Drop Off
This idea is more for what you could do for your own grandchildren than the neighbor children. It’s similar to a doorbell ditch secret service but with a Halloween twist.
Prepare a bag of treats (candy, toys, or whatever you like) or a box of Halloween snacks and attach a note that tells them they have been “Boo”-ed. Here is a printable to download if you would like to use it:
Leave it on the doorstep, ring the doorbell, and hide. At this point, you can either just leave or reveal yourself. Your choice.
Long Distance Grandchildren Alternative: Simply by design, this works quite well if you send your treats to your long distance grandchildren through USPS or UPS. Because. . .what do THEY usually do? They ring the bell and leave the package on the doorstep. Ha ha! Same effect, but you were able to do it long distance without having to drive all the way yourself!!
Social Distancing Halloween Idea #6: Throw candy – Reverse Trick or Treat
This one is kind of fun for you and the grandchildren if you aren’t able to interact with them. Literally, it’s reverse trick or treating. It’s definitely the ultimate social distancing Halloween idea by far. Ha ha!
Have your grandchildren come into their front yard. Then, from your car, you can throw candy out the window into the yard. The children can run around and collect the candy you have thrown. It’s kind of like breaking open a pinata.
Fun Long Distance Halloween Idea: Scavenger Hunt
This is a fun activity that you can do with your grandchildren a couple of weeks before Halloween.
Hide candy or treats around your home – inside or outside. Then get your grandchildren on video chat with you and start roaming around the room or yard. Turn your camera so they can see the surroundings. Tell them to shout out “Trick or Treat” when they see something.
Collect all the candy or treats into a bucket or Halloween bag. Tell the kids you will send their treats in the mail to them. When you send the treats, don’t forget to write them a fun note telling them how much you enjoyed the activity with them.
For an added measure of fun. When the kids receive your package, tell them to hide the treats at their house and you can be the “seeker” this time. (However, when all the treats are found, please don’t make them send the treats back. That game would be endless. Ha ha!)
I’m sure there are plenty of other social distancing Halloween ideas that you could come up with. As a matter of fact, if you do, please share them in the comments below!
Cookies and Milk for Everyone!
