How Are Families Safely Celebrating Halloween This Year?

After months of ensuring our kids got back to school safely, another "dilemma" is now looming: How will our kids (and maybe some parents) get their Halloween fix without putting themselves and others at risk?

My almost-5-year-old has already decorated his room from floor to ceiling with pictures of ghosts, witches and pumpkins, and has hung up every stretchy spider web from last year on our windows. He also has dreams of haunting our local park with ghouls and coffins, but we'll try to tame that desire.

Still, a lot of moms I come across are afraid of celebrating Halloween this year. "We won't be doing the classic trick-or-treating or going to our neighborhood celebration, but we would like to have a spot to wear a costume," says my friend Tiffany. "The problem with that is crowds. We won't go anywhere with a lingering crowd. So if something is fun and spread out at different times, we would be more amenable."

On the other hand, my friend Daphne thinks it's the perfect outdoor distanced activity. "Come on, these poor kids! So many things have been canceled, I think we can do Halloween," she says. Still, she only plans to set out candy and won't open up her door to trick-or-treaters, to reduce contact with people and germs.

I haven't given up on Halloween yet — even if it will need to look different this year. After checking out some forums and talking to friends, here are some ways to make this holiday as spooky and fun as ever.

This site does not provide medical or safety advice. All content presented here is for informational purposes only. Please consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, your area's health officials and your state's latest laws before any activities.

Set Up A Home Haunt

I've heard from a few moms that they will be setting up candy stations in each room of their house and having their kids trick-or-treat at home. Mom Jamie Beth C. says, "Months ago when my 11-year-old realized they probably wouldn't be able to go out for Halloween, she devised a plan where she and her brother would dress up in costumes, go to each door in our home and knock, and my husband and I would open the door and give them candy." Jamie says her daughter is super excited about this, especially because she can trick-or-treat without a jacket and collect more candy than any other year!

Watch At A Distance

Some families are keeping their gatherings smaller but opting for a fun movie theater experience. To do this, gather some families and friends, and show a Halloween movie such as "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" in your yard on a projector, or on a big outdoor TV if you want to get fancy. Put out blankets 6 feet apart so families can watch safely in their own space. Give everyone their own popcorn bags — and don't forget to dress up, too.

Keep it Sanitary

Wearing masks and gloves is normal on any Halloween, so why should this year be different? Instead of worrying about too many hands in the candy jar, get individual boxes to hand out. Or follow Daphne's lead and go on the honor system, and leave out candy on your stoop. However, you may need to get some extra candy just in case people's hands and gloves are extra sticky.

Reverse Trick-or-Treat

One mom online mentioned she is avoiding the Halloween debate entirely and is mixing this year up by making treat bags to leave outside her friends' and neighbors' doors. However, she added that she won't be skimping on her family's Halloween costumes.

Socially Distant Parade

Some neighborhoods have canceled parades, but smaller communities are deciding to line up kids 6 feet apart for a haunted march down their streets. If you think kids will have a hard time keeping their distance on foot, try organizing a bike or wagon parade instead.

Candy Slide

There's been a lot of fun inventions out there this year that keep you distant from trick-or-treaters while still having fun. Check out this spooky candy slide that allows you to hand out candy. Motherly actually writes that this slide is saving Halloween.

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