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How to Have a Happy and Healthy Halloween This Year

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Halloween is the best time of year! The mere thought of kids, costumes, and candy is enough to spread a spooky smile across the faces of many (grown-up) ghouls and goblins. But for those of us excited about getting into the spirit – yet still worried about the evil coronavirus – the options feel quite limited. Fortunately, with a dash of planning, a sprig of creativity, and a monster pack of masks, we’ve whipped up the potion for having a happy and healthy Halloween this year!

(Properly) Mask Up

Though it might be tempting to simply swap a medical mask for one that’s more macabre, the CDC recommends against it, (unless you’re dressing up as an undead doctor!) Instead, consider a Halloween-themed mask that’s made of two or more layers of breathable fabric — that covers your mouth and nose — and doesn’t leave gaps around your face. Also, don’t wear a protective mask underneath one made for Halloween as it could impair your ability to breathe.

Trick or Treating (with a Twist)

Traditional trick or treating is out this year as it can increase the spread of COVID-19. However, that doesn’t mean that neighbors can’t still ply your kids with copious amounts of candy! Instead of going door-to-door, consider the following:

  • Line up individually wrapped treats at the end of the driveway and enjoy the parade of pandas and princesses from a distance.
  • Use a plastic slide, cardboard tubes, or PVC pipes to deliver candy from afar.
  • Hide treats around the yard or neighborhood for a socially distanced trick or treasure hunt.
  • Have costumed kids stay in their own yards while cars drive by gently throwing treats from the windows.
  • Set up a socially distanced cemetery with candy stations in your yard and let kids walkthrough (in one direction.)

BYOB – (Build Your Own Boofest)

The safest option for Halloween, this year, is staying home or limiting activities that involve other people. That doesn’t mean you can’t build your own bodacious boofest, though. Keep attendance to those in your household, gather your supplies, (and tons of tasty treats,) and consider a few of these hellraising ideas:

  • Carving pumpkins
  • Decorating your house and yard
  • Crafting safe and scary masks
  • Walking or driving the neighborhood, admiring Halloween displays
  • Having a spooky movie marathon
  • Hosting a virtual costume contest with your friends on Zoom
  • Visiting a pumpkin patch (wear a mask, social distance, and wash your hands!)
  • Bobbing for doughnuts (hang them from trees!)
  • Make a Halloween pinata and fill it with…you know
  • Bicycle costume parade
  • Creating goodie bags and leaving them on the neighbors’ porches
  • Glow in the dark “egg” hunt
  • Making a drive-thru haunted house and inviting the neighborhood
  • Trying the virtual Halloween “photo booth” and posting pics on social media
  • Seeing if you can get out of a virtual escape room
  • Taking a Halloween-themed virtual class
  • Requesting a Halloween message on Cameo
  • “Trick or Treating” for UNICEF

Virtual Munchkin Masquerade

Though the roads won’t be overrun with zombies and zebras this year, the Downtown Boulder Partnership is still providing some fun and frightening activities! Now through November 1, in conjunction with Boulder Community Health Guidelines, your kids can still party on Pearl Street and participate in activities from home:

Just remember, the spirit of Halloween is what you make of it. We hope these ideas help you and your kids have a spooktacular and safe night of fabulously frightening fun! 🎃