Halloween COVID 19 Activities: How to Safely Have Fun in Your HOA

Halloween is just a stone’s throw away, but many HOA communities are finding it hard to come up with activities to do during the holiday. With the coronavirus pandemic keeping everyone indoors and anxious, calm yourself down and enjoy some spooky fun with these Halloween COVID 19 ideas.

Spooktacular Halloween COVID 19 Ideas for HOAs

During pre-COVID times, HOA neighborhoods used to be filled with costumed kids parading door-to-door with their parents in search of treats. Parties took place in every city, while haunted houses served to entertain and terrify willing (and some not-so-willing) guests. To many, Halloween is an opportunity to get creative and have some fun.

The COVID 19 outbreak, though, has forced the nation at large to change its plans. Parties are too crowded and trick-or-treating has too much close contact. But, that doesn’t mean your HOA community has to remain quiet come Halloween night. Residents can still enjoy Halloween during COVID 19 with the following fun yet safe activities:

1. Carve and Decorate Pumpkins

It’s almost impossible to imagine Halloween without pumpkins — they’re a staple, after all. The best part is that decorating and carving pumpkins is an activity that the entire family can enjoy. Let your kids express their creativity and draw what they want to on the pumpkins. Parents should then do the cutting since it involves a sharp object. Be careful not to injure yourself, too, though!

Instead of a candle, place battery-operated lights inside the carved pumpkins. This eliminates the risk of a fire. Plus, battery-operated lights last much longer than candles do. For a healthy and on-theme snack, take the pumpkin seeds and roast them in the oven at 300 degrees for 45 minutes.

2. Host a Remote Costume Party

Just because you can’t have a Halloween party doesn’t mean you should skip wearing costumes. Organize a virtual costume party with your friends or relatives. You can use Zoom, Skype, or other video conferencing platforms.

For HOA communities, invite the entire neighborhood to participate in a remote costume contest. This will take some planning and communication, though, so start early. If local authorities allow it, you can even put on a costume parade. Residents can don costumes of their choice and walk through the community while observing social distancing protocols. Those who wish to watch can do so from a safe distance or even indoors.

3. Make Halloween-Themed Treats

What’s a good way to get in the Halloween spirit? Make spooky treats, of course! This Halloween COVID 19 activity is particularly great because it teaches kids how to prepare food, allows them to express their creativity, and is perfectly on theme. Plus, there are so many treats you can make.

Candy apples are one of the most popular Halloween snacks. To make them, melt some chocolate in a microwave or over a double boiler. Stir in some coconut oil for a glossy look and smoother consistency. Take your apples and dip them one by one in the melted chocolate. Cover it as much or as little as you want.

Then, add the toppings of your choice. You can go for chocolate chips, M&Ms, Oreos, pretzels, sprinkles — whatever you like! Finally, drizzle some gooey caramel on top. Allow it to harden before eating or just dive right in! It might be on the unhealthier side due to all the sweets, but it’s a fun and tasty Halloween treat.

4. Put Up Decorations

Halloween in COVID 19 times wouldn’t be complete without decorations. Give your house a spooky feel with fake cobwebs, carved pumpkins, fake skeletons, and witch silhouettes against your windows. You can also take your family for a drive through the entire neighborhood to view all the decorated houses.

Don’t forget to decorate the inside of your house, too. Even something simple like cutouts of bats and spiders can get your kids in the mood for Halloween. You can buy a lot of these decorations for cheap online. Alternatively, you can also make your own decorations with colorful paper and some scissors. Kids will love it!

5. Trick-or-Treat… from a Distance

What’s Halloween without some trick-or-treating? It’s a long-standing tradition that kids all around the country love. And what’s not to like? They get to dress up in costumes and ask for candy from neighbors.

With COVID 19 easily transmitted through respiratory droplets, though, HOA residents should take extra caution. If your city or town allows trick-or-treating, consider imposing stricter guidelines for residents to follow.

Remind everyone to wear their face masks and practice social distancing at all times. Ask residents not to personally give away candy. Instead, encourage them to leave a bowl of candy by their door along with a hand sanitizer dispenser. Ask them to post signs reminding trick-or-treaters to sanitize their hands first before getting a handful of treats.

Alternatively, residents can opt to place individual goodie bags in their driveway. Trick-or-treaters can then just grab one and move on to the next house. These Halloween COVID 19 trick-or-treat ideas can make the activity a lot safer for everyone.

6. Schedule a Movie Night

Another community-wide event your HOA can host is a scary movie night. You can watch movies online together using third-party services like Netflix Party. You can even organize a post-movie online discussion where residents can express their thoughts and even make new friends.

Residents can also schedule their own movie nights with friends and family. If children will be watching, too, though, make sure to choose your movie wisely. Kids tend to scare easily, so go for a family-friendly flick that everyone can enjoy. “Toy Story of Terror,” ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and “Monsters Inc.” come to mind.

7. Take the Fun Outside

Although it’s better to stay home, there are some outdoor Halloween activities you can participate in as well. A visit to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch can bring smiles to your kids’ faces. You can also go to a haunted forest or a corn maze. Just remember to pack hand sanitizer, wear your face masks, and practice proper social distancing.

Of course, you don’t have to go too far to enjoy an outdoor activity. Simply camping in your backyard can be a fun experience. You can sleep in a tent, make shadow puppets, and play flashlight tag. Don’t start a campfire, though, as that can quickly grow out of control. If you want to make smores, you can prepare them beforehand in an oven or microwave.

Halloween and COVID 19: Make Safety a Priority

Don’t let the coronavirus pandemic dampen your Halloween spirit. You can still have some fun with your family and stay safe at the same time. Similarly, HOAs can still foster a sense of community even during these trying times. Choose from these great Halloween COVID 19 ideas or try them all!

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