Safe alternatives to trick-or-treating

By Timothy MuhlenbeckOctober 2, 2020

Halloween Stock Photo
Halloween Stock Photo (Photo Credit: Pixabay) VIEW ORIGINAL

GRAFENWOEHR, Germany – The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers many guidelines for consideration to ensure an enjoyable Halloween this year, despite COVID-19. By replacing traditional close contact Halloween celebrations with physical distanced alternatives, the CDC states that the risk of spreading COVID-19 through communities is lowered.

Here are fun activities, deemed low risk by the CDC, that you can do at home with your family:

  • Host a virtual costume contest with family and friends. Prizes can include self-made ribbons based on costume categories, candy and fall themed treats.
  • Arrange a Halloween themed movie night with candy, cookies shaped like Jack-o’-lanterns or ghouls and Halloween popcorn mix. Encourage family members to wear their costumes throughout.
  • Decorate a brown paper bag and fill it with candy to “ghost” your neighbor’s doorsteps, which is a safe and fun way to give treats to others.
  • Carve and decorate a pumpkin with your family, then display your efforts on the front porch.
  • Decorate your house with Halloween themed accessories to get into spirit — pun intended.
  • Map out a Halloween trick-or-treating scavenger hunt in your home for family members, instead of going door-to-door.

Editor’s Note: Due to Covid-19, it may not be the Halloween everyone is used to, but that does not mean it cannot be fun and enjoyable. Follow this #HalloweenAtTheHouse series for tips, tricks and cultural facts pertinent to USAG Bavaria to make your October 31st spooktacular!