Think back to when you were a child; the season’s vibrant colors announced Autumn had arrived. Remember crunching fallen leaves underfoot as you looked forward to Halloween and the approaching holidays? Did you have a favorite costume or win a costume contest?
The Covid19 pandemic has disrupted the school year for children; birthday parties became drive by’s or virtual celebrations. Surely acknowledgment of special occasions yet no doubt disappointing compared to school parties, and the gathering of friends and family where shared joy and camaraderie create lifelong memories. There will be no bobbing for apples this year, but why not organize a Halloween celebration that is both fun and safe from COVID19 exposure? It’s the perfect time to wear a superhero mask!
There are many ways families can celebrate together even during the pandemic, still allowing kids to be creative and sharing events that are sure to become unforgettable childhood memories. The following suggestions can provide a welcome escape from this monstrous pandemic people of all ages have been forced to stare in the face. So what are we to do? Focus on the light at the end of the tunnel and embrace opportunities to share laughter and quality family time. Stress Free Corporate Housing understands how essential a comfortable home environment is for family members. Most parents will agree if your children are happy and well, your number one priority has been achieved. This blog is an effort to get you started on creating priceless family memories. If you ever need temporary housing, now, you know who to call. DDavis@staystressfree.com 954-978-0868.
Not so scary movie night
Frightening activities are not the only way to have fun. Plan a semi scary movie or Superhero movie night where family members can dress in their favorite characters’ costumes. Batman and Spiderman are forever popular, and there is Disney’s Hocus Pocus movie that would make a great party theme for moms to stir up some tasty witches brew cider freeing their good witch alter egos. Serve the cider in a plastic cauldron vs. a punch bowl. Moms and daughters can cast spells on each other with magic wands they hand make, bake and decorate Halloween cookies, and invent a magic potion to add to the family festivities.
Older children that may wish to hold a party that’s a scream may select a Beetlejuice theme, complete with an outdoor pretend tombstone graveyard. To add that extra spooky aura a few skeletons do the trick!
Do you love Charlie Brown? Baby Boomers grew up with the timeless characters and have shared Charlie Brown and the Peanuts gang’s escapades with their children and grandchildren.
Share the love with future generations, yet another timeless and adored party theme for Halloween. Many folks are still die-hard fans of good ole’ Charlie Brown. Should you want to reminisce with Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, and the peanuts gang-check out a detailed account of their Halloween antics at https://groovyhistory.com/its-the-great-pumpkin-charlie-brown-a-halloween-favorite. This walk down memory lane will inspire ideas for your Charlie Brown Halloween celebration.
Another timeless classic is the Addams Family. At Least Gomez got it right with roses for Morticia, although she preferred the thorns. There are many cartoons and recent movie versions that have delighted children, as well as grown-ups.
It is an easy theme to have fun with. Children are sure to be entertained by the Addams Family theme song:
They’re creepy, and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky, they’re all together ooky, The Addams Family.
Their house is a museum. When people come to see ’em
They really are a scream, The Addams Family.
“The Addams Family is a fictional household created by American cartoonist Charles Addams in 1938. The Addams Family originally included Gomez and Morticia Addams, their children Wednesday and Pugsley, close family members Uncle Fester and Grandmama, their butler Lurch, and Pugsley’s pet octopus Aristotle.” Hey, what about Cousin IT?
Every good party needs ornaments to embellish the environment adding ambiance and setting the theme. Decorate the house and yard together with the children, use both handmade ornaments and dollar store decorations to set the home stage for fun. Don’t forget to get your dog or kitty a costume which the children can help select.
Give each other scary surprise gifts like spider rings, a homemade Casper the Friendly Ghost pillow, with some white fabric from the craft store, and foam or pillow stuffing for the head. However, if children are very young, sew the neck-do not use a cord (or anything they can put in their mouth) to secure the stuffing. More great gift ideas are washable tattoos, a dragon skull trinket treasure box, a magic eight-ball, a Cheshire cat or monster pillow cover, a collection of scary storybooks, or comics that you determine as age-appropriate. One of my all-time favorite children’s books is called “Room on the Broom,” written by Julia Donaldson-a hilarious read that is perfect for young children. If the kids are a little older, don’t forget about the timeless classic Charlotte’s web, more endearing than scary.
How about your personal version of a haunted house? In this case, a haunted room.
Do you have an extensive collection of Halloween decorations? An Indoor family favorite for older children-tween and teen age-is turning a spare room into a mini haunted house, complete with black lights, fake spider webs, giant toy spiders, skulls, and any other scary item you care to add. Tweens can take turns reading their favorite Edgar Allen Poe poem (my choice would be The Raven) and post a video link to their live performance.
Pumpkin patch hunts for the perfect pumpkin
This is a tried-and-true favorite activity for children and a perfect photo opportunity for parents as the kiddos select their perfect pumpkin. Did I forget to mention how delicious homemade pumpkin pie is and that pumpkin seeds are a healthy snack?
In the excitement, don’t forget to video the festivities to share with relatives and friends on popular social sites.
As Trick-or-Treating may be discouraged or canceled in many communities this year, and understandably so, an equally fun activity is a family scavenger hunt for safe treats in your home or yard. You get to select the germ-free candy and treats for your children to enjoy.
Treasure maps are sure to add excitement to the celebration. Perhaps inside a plastic dollar store skull is a hidden gift card for your middle-grade child to select a game for their Xbox or Playstation? Pinterest offers a variety of printable scavenger hunt tips to help you plan a memorable event.
Outdoor Halloween Party Games
Harvest Obstacle Course
Not your ordinary obstacle course; this one uses scarecrows, hay bales, ghosts, and pumpkins. The player who finishes the harvest obstacle course first wins a prize. You can offer a second and third place, too.
Haystack Hidden Treasure
Are you hosting an outdoor Halloween party? Haystack Hidden Treasure is a great game for younger children to play. Fill a few items with hay, such as wheelbarrows, large plastic buckets, children’s plastic bathtubs, or kiddie pools, and decorated large cardboard boxes are several suggestions of receptacles. Bury numerous “treasures” prizes in each “haystack.” Small toys, hair accessories/headbands, glow sticks, and stickers are ideas for the kind of treasures to bury. Give your party guests empty treat buckets or bags to fill and begin your version of a “treasure in a haystack” hunt.
Classic young children party games include Musical Chairs placed six feet away from each other and Simon Says.
Candy Corn Spoon Race
Fill two pumpkin containers or lined baskets with candy corn. Create two teams that will line up behind the supply of candy corn. Place an empty container on the ground at both the front and the end of each team’s line of players.
Each player has a spoon in their hands. The head of the line scoops a spoonful of candy on the “go!” signal. Then fills up the following player’s spoon without spilling if possible. The candy corn must be transferred from spoon to spoon until the end of the line on a five-minute timed period. The last player in line empties their spoon into the container at the back of the line. This filling of spoons continues until the timer rings at 5 minutes. When time is up, the number of candy corn in each basket is counted to determine the winning team. This game teaches the importance of teamwork.
Halloween pumpkin decorating party
An age-old tradition that has never lost its popularity is pumpkin carving and decorating. If the child is too young to use a carving tool, then decorating a pumpkin is a safe option.
If Jack-o-lanterns are in your plans, then place them away from where little feet could trip on them. The safe idea is to substitute real candles with battery-powered tea lights. As an extra precaution to avoid pumpkin carving, injuries-children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.
Parents, if history and folklore appeals to you, here is a link to investigate why we carve pumpkins and where the tradition originated from https://www.britannica.com/story/why-do-we-carve-pumpkins-at-halloween
Halloween Safety
Costumes can be both creative and safe. The most important thing is to make sure kids can be seen by drivers. Debra Holtzman, J.D., M.A., a child safety expert, recommends using flashlights, glow sticks, and reflective tape to help children see and be seen by people around them.
If allowing your children to Trick or Treat -The Mayo-clinic makes these suggestions:
- Get in on the fun.
- Accompany trick-or-treaters younger than age twelve.
- Pin a piece of paper with your child’s name, address, and phone number inside your child’s pocket if you get separated.
- Encourage older kids to trick or treat with friends, parents, or older siblings.
- Make sure someone in the group has a flashlight with fresh batteries.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/childrens-health/in-depth/halloween-safety/art-20044976
https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/autumn/halloween
If children plan to use their cloth face coverings as part of their costumes, they should not paint them since some paints contain toxins.
Remember: a costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth face-covering unless it has multiple layers of breathable fabric and covers the mouth and nose snugly.
At Stress Free Corporate Housing, we focus on each guest’s comfort and experience and frequently share ideas on making a new house into a home. We wish you a safe and joyful Halloween, Harvest, and Holiday Season.
Recent Comments