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.

jakob-owens-YCX5QMNFUkE-unsplash.jpg

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.


sarah-gualtieri-9CApNIkRXRI-unsplash.jpg

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.


Happy Hallowe’en!