CDC's Tips on Safe and Spooky Low-Risk Halloween Activities

With Halloween coming up on Saturday, October 31, there is a big question of whether or not we’ll celebrate the holiday with old traditions due to safety concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. The CDC released guidelines on what the public can consider low-risk activities, moderate-risk activities, and high-risk activities in regards to the virus.

Obviously traditional trick-or-treating is considered high-risk since it means coming in contact with strangers and not maintaining six feet apart. However, there are a few other activities that the CDC considers to be safer in participating in Halloween.

Pumpkin carving and decorating with members of your own household - Make it a competition and post photos of your jack-o-lanterns on social media to have friends and family vote for the best.
Socially-distanced pumpkin carving and decorating with neighbors or friends - Have everyone meet out on the front lawn or backyard with individual tools. Remember to stay six feet apart, wear masks, and have hand sanitizer available.
Decorate - You probably already started setting up your place for spooky season, but if you haven’t, get started this weekend. Treat yourself to a new piece and display it where you can see it as soon as you walk into the house or apartment.
Neighborhood Halloween Scavenger Hunt - Speaking of Halloween decorations, how cool would it be to take the kids around the neighborhood to check out how others decorated for spooky season? Create a list of things for them to be on the lookout for. When they find them all, have a prize ready to reward them with a job well done. This could be something small like one of those spider rings we all love this time of year.
Virtual costume party - Halloween wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t wear costumes. Set up a Zoom call with your friends and make sure you all have a drink on hand. Play some music, and hold a costume contest.
Watch a Halloween-themed movie - I’m not a fan of scary movies, but it’s almost a requirement in October. And there are plenty of Halloween films that aren’t actually scary, like Hocus Pocus. This is a must-watch with my family every year, so we can definitely cross this one off our list next month.
At-Home Halloween Scavenger Hunt - Similar to the neighborhood idea, but this can be within your own home and turned into a trick-or-treat type of event for the kids. Set up a few stations around the house with a different candy at each one. Ask them trivia questions to earn a piece of their favorite candy bar. Create the questions to fit your family specifically to make it even more special.

Click HERE for the full list of guidelines put out by the CDC.