How To Create New Hallowe’en Traditions In Stranger Times
Hallowe’en is usually a time where there are parties and events ongoing for all ages. However, with
the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to affect our everyday lives, parties as we once knew are being
placed on hold for this year. Don’t see this role of the organiser as a chore, however — preparation
for a COVID-safe children’s Hallowe’en party is easier than you think. There are a few essentials for
creating a successful event, especially for children.
Here, we discuss how to throw the ultimate Hallowe’en party for your child, and how to do this
safely with new COVID-19 restrictions put in place.
ACTIVITIES
Of course, children need to have some kind of game or plan to the night. With COVID-19 leaving us
no choice but to find ways to adapt our parties this year, here are a few activities they are sure to
love:
Pumpkin hunt
Not all hunts happen during Easter, and now that we have no choice but to spend more time
outdoors seeing our friends and family from a distance, this is the perfect excuse for a pumpkin
hunt. Even if it rains, you can just get all participants to wear children’s raincoats and avoid the
weather. You don’t have to use actual pumpkins either. Pictures and sweets can be a good
replacement.
DIY Hedbanz: Hallowe’en style
The classic quick-fire question game, HedBanz, is a great alternative to use instead of the typical feel-
box challenge. Since taking turns to put your hand in a box and feel for whatever spooky item is in it
may not be possible this year, HedBanz provides a close substitute for this. Rather than feeling for
the item, guess it instead! Make your own ‘Who am I?’ or ‘What am I?’ Halloween-themed cards and
see who can guess the object the fastest. The best thing about this game is that it can be played over
FaceTime too – since for many regions of the UK we have no choice but to make the most out of a
virtual party this year!
Virtual parties
Speaking of FaceTime, this treasure of technology has worked to our favour over lockdown. To help
keep both yourself and your children safe at home this year, host a virtual party with all their friends.
To keep them entertained, create a selection of quizzes about all things Hallowe’en and have them
compete in challenges. Or, have a competition of who can create the best pumpkin design. Although
this might not be the original party you had in mind, creativity is key when it comes to hosting the
ultimate Hallowe’en extravaganza this year.
Piñata
Any excuse to get more sweets, right? There are many shapes and characters that they can come in,
so finding a Hallowe’en version is not going to be a challenge. This activity will provide a quick burst
of fun and food. Whether these are done with friends over a FaceTime party or at home with the
family, pinatas aren’t going anywhere this Hallowe’en.
Apple bobbing
The classic game of trying to bite apples out of a big bowl of water, this can be adapted for this year.
Rather than having one big bowl of apples for them to apple bob with, create multiple so that each
person has their own bowl. Or, over FaceTime parties, ask their parents to create an apple bobbing
bowl for them to make the competition a virtual one. Make sure that you watch while the children
do this activity as it isn’t without a tiny bit of risk with running and putting their face in water.
Choose just a few of these activities and your party is sure to be a success, enjoyable for both the
kids and yourself.
FOOD
An absolute essential for any children’s party – whether it be a socially distanced one or not – is
food. We aren’t just talking about a meal either. Snacks, sweets, and seasonal bites are sure to get
any child excited, especially if they add to the spooky theme. Here are a few ideas to suit the needs:
Hotdog fingers
Take a break from the party activities with a party-style meal. The classic hotdogs often make an
appearance at parties for children, due to their popularity, simplicity, and variability. Therefore,
cooking up a smaller sized buffet at home for the children will help then gain a sense of normality
again. We can add a special Hallowe’en twist on this simple meal too, with no added ingredients. All
that’s needed is a sharp knife. By making the ‘dogs’ look like fingers, they will add to the Halloween
aesthetic, and the ketchup will make this look even more realistic and tastier. To do this, cut off the
tip at one end of the hot dog and on the other side slice the skin of the sausage to replicate the
shape of a nail. Finally, put two lots of three shallow slits to imitate knuckles. Smother the ‘dog’ with
ketchup to give the amputated bloody effect we are aiming for.
Sweets
A no-brainer! Hallowe’en is all about tricks, treats, sweets, and surprises. No Hallowe’en party is
complete without a bowl or bucket brimming with some sweet treats. If you can locate a bucket that
really sums up Hallowe’en, like a pumpkin or a skull, this will be the perfect housing to put in your
favourite sweets. Go all-out Hallowe’en style and fill the pot with gummy worms, chocolate
pumpkins, and any other seasonal options.
Pumpkin fruit platter
Hallowe’en is renowned for stuffing children full of sugar and unhealthy foods. This next option can
be a part of the decoration while providing a tasty, healthy snack. You’ll be creating a pumpkin out
of various fruit! Using orange slices to cover a plate, you can create a pumpkin artwork. By replacing
some of the slices with black grapes and blueberries you can create the face necessary for a scary
pumpkin snack.
DECORATIONS
It isn’t Hallowe’en if there aren’t hundreds of pumpkins, skeletons, and silhouettes scattered around
your street. A pandemic or not, your occasion must have at least a few decorations, and we are
going to share some of the most effective, inexpensive, and stylish ways to spruce up the event at
home.
Balloons
Plain balloons are relatively inexpensive decorations and can really cement the aesthetic if you keep
an ongoing colour scheme throughout. A classic colour scheme is orange and black, but purples and
greens fit just as well! By tying these pairs to corners of the room, curtain rails, and bannisters, it can
make the decorations seem more consistent throughout the house. Don’t forget just to leave some
loose on the floor, as this will not only provide enjoyment to the children but means the decorations
are more engaging.
Bats
A simple DIY decoration, this can cover some serious wall space! You can create this bat using just
black paper and Blu Tack. Fold some black paper in half and cut out the shape of half a bat along the
fold this way when unfolded the bat will be able to be tacked.