Until COVID-19 is behind us, the safest way to celebrate the holidays is virtually or with people you live with. Although Halloween may look a bit different than you’re used to, you can still have a scary good time. Here are some fun ways to celebrate Halloween at home.
Put on a costume even if you don’t go anywhere
Dressing up is one of the best parts of Halloween, so put on a costume even if you have nowhere to go. You can even make it a family affair and wear matching costumes. Party City has a bunch of costumes and accessories for families and large groups. Some popular themes are pirates, Toy Story, The Incredibles, and Ghostbusters.
Set up a trick-or-treat table in your front yard
Still plan to give out candy? Instead of putting it in a large bowl, set up a trick-or-treat table in your front yard or driveway. Pick a theme then decorate your table and put out small goodie bags or cups of candy so trick-or-treaters can grab one and go.
Whip up some spooky treats
Make some delicious treats with your kids using Halloween cake pans, cookie cutters or candy molds. You can find them at Target, Walmart or Amazon. Don’t stress yourself by trying to make the perfect dessert from scratch. Grabbing a box of cookie or cake mix from your local supermarket will do just fine. And don’t forget the frosting (it’s the best part). If you’re interested in making your own candy,get a bag of candy melts from Michaels or your local supermarket.
Spend the night watching scary movies
Spend the evening at home watching bone-chilling horror movies. Some of the most terrifying films of all time are Sinister, The Exorcist, Hereditary, The Shining, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. If you’re looking for something more family-friendly, try Hocus Pocus or The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Create the ultimate Halloween playlist
Music is a great way to set the tone for any celebration. So, create a Halloween playlist to get into the spooky spirit. We’ve come up with a quick list of classics to help you get started.
- Michael Jackson – Thriller
- Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – I Put a Spell on You
- Bobby “Boris” Pickett & the Crypt-Kickers – Monster Mash
- Ray Parker Jr. – Ghostbusters
- AC/DC – Highway to Hell
- Stevie Wonder – Superstition
- Whodini – Freaks Come Out at Night
- Rockwell – Somebody’s Watching Me
Plan a scavenger hunt
A scavenger hunt is a great alternative to going trick-or-treating. The kids will still get the candy they crave, and you get to keep them safe. It’s a win/win situation. You don’t even have to work that hard to get things set up. There are numerous free printables online for Halloween scavenger hunts. Just choose one, print out the clues, hide them around the house and you’re done.
Decorate pumpkins
Carving pumpkins isn’t everyone’s thing. The good news is there are other creative ways to give your pumpkin a makeover. You can paint stencils on them, add trendy fabric, or decorate them with some colorful leaves from your yard. There are tons of easy, no carve pumpkin decorating ideas on Pinterest. Find an idea you’d like to recreate then head to your local Dollar Tree for supplies. They recently expanded their craft section so now you can find more art supplies for just $1. You can pick up paint, glitter, stickers, embellishments and so much more.
