All Photos By Gail Except Where Noted
October is here already — wow! — and this pandemic is still a thing that we have to make allowances for in our daily lives. The safety of ourselves and our families is a consideration for any type of activity planning, and Halloween is fast approaching. We need to keep kids safe, but their social and emotional wellness can also be affected by being unable able to participate in festivities that create so much happiness and sense of connection.
How can we celebrate Halloween in the Covid life, you may ask? While door-to-do trick or treating may be off the table, we have a few suggestions for keeping the Halloween spirit alive. Parenting expert, guidance counselor, licensed educational psychologist, and board-certified behavior analyst, Reena B. Patel (LEP, BCBA) has compiled a list of practical tips addressing fun and creative ways to accommodate a traditional Halloween during this pandemic. Let’s get to it!
Does Your Neighborhood Look Like This? If Not, Make It So!
Decorate the inside and outside of your house. If you haven’t done this before, this is the year to start. Head to your local TJ Maxx where they always have an amazing and super affordable selection of Halloween items to decorate your home — some that you will want to leave out year-round!
Create a Month of Halloween countdown. I know that October has already started, but it’s not too late to make a countdown calendar (even if you just do it for the ten days or a week heading up to Halloween) and for each day have a Halloween surprise ready to share with your child. These can include things like a Halloween coloring sheet, candy, puzzles, pencils, stickers, and small toys that you can find at your local Dollar Store. You’d be surprised how far little things like this will go toward raising a child’s spirits especially now.
There are some companies that participate in Themed Activity Boxes. While some require a subscription plan, but you can get one box just for the month of October. It can be fun to open the box and be surprised by what arrives at your door!
Connect with your child’s school and see what the teachers have planned. Volunteer to help your school create some fun Zoom Halloween activities. A week of Halloween Zoom costume dress up is a great example.
Get Baking! Baking is such a fun, creative way to interact with your child. Get easy recipes Here.
Have a Halloween-themed Movie Night. For kid-friendly Halloween movie suggestions, check out this article.
Freddie Kruger Jack ‘O Lantern, Very Scary!
Host a virtual Pumpkin Carving party via Zoom. The creative possibilities are endless!
Social Distancing is Important
Throw a small Social Distance-Observing House Party. Plan to get together with a small group of family and close friends who are in your ‘pod.’ You could even include a fun Halloween piñata!
Have a safe and fun Halloween, everyone!
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