Let’s be honest—as much fun as it is for kids to dress up and transform into Darth Vader or Marshall from PAW Patrol or a mini Ruth Bader Ginsburg, we all know the true end goal of Halloween: get as much candy as you physically can. We can’t speak for everyone, but those of us at His View take personal delight in capturing the annual candy tax from our kids’ hauls every year.
That said, like every other holiday in 2020, this Halloween is going to look a little different, and not just because Mercury is in retrograde. Due to Covid-19 concerns, some communities have canceled trick-or-treating altogether, and others have strict guidelines that must be adhered to. Regardless, many people just don’t feel safe going door-to-door or being in close contact with others right now.
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It might be a great year to celebrate at home with a Zoom pumpkin-carving contest and some scary movies, but if you’re still determined to satisfy that sweet tooth, the candy-lovers over here at His View have your back. We scoured the internet and compiled a list of six ways to safely trick-or-treat that will still result in a satisfying sugar high and some very happy kids.
As always, please remember to check with your local department of health about whether trick-or-treating is allowed in your area and for more information on safety guidelines.
Halloween Scavenger Hunt
If you’d rather just skip the whole shebang this year, we don’t blame you. Instead, opt for this totally Covid-friendly, low-risk alternative—take some leftover plastic Easter eggs, give ’em a spooky makeover, fill with your kids’ favorite candy, and hide them all over the house and/or yard. Voilà.
“Boo” Your Friends
A safe trick-or-treat alternative that is literally no-contact, “boo-ing” friends or family is a super fun way to celebrate the holiday. Anonymously drop off a bucket or bag filled with treats, gifts, etc., and leave a note encouraging the recipients to keep the giving spirit going.
Neighborhood Costume Parade
Organize a socially-distanced parade for any families in your neighborhood that want to participate. We love this idea because of how closely it replicates a traditional trick-or-treating atmosphere—kids still get to put on costumes and walk around, just in a more controlled manner that allows for appropriate spacing and candy collecting.
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Neighbors who want to pass out candy can set up stations along the “parade route” with individual bags or pieces of candy ready to be grabbed by trick-or-treaters as they pass.
Candy Luge
We’ve already covered this brilliant candy-dispensing invention courtesy of an Ohio dad, but it bears repeating for its simplistic genius. If you just can’t imagine Halloween without passing out candy but want to keep a safe distance, this is your go-to.
Check out the link to the original chute and how to build your own here.
Our 6′ candy chute is ready to be attached to the handrail! Come on, Halloween!!! 🎃👻🧙
#fucovid19…
Posted by Andrew Beattie on Saturday, September 12, 2020
Duck Tape Candy Tree
A totally hands-off option that allows the neighborhood kids to socially distance and grab their own candy. Just wrap some duck tape around the branches of a tree in your front yard and leave a long sticky tail at the end. Stick individual candies to the tape for kids to pull off themselves. They’ll really have to work for that second piece!
For inspiration, watch this video featuring Duck Tape Man.
Stick it to ’em
Here’s an idea that even dads can’t screw up. Double it as a date night by spending the evening prior to Halloween snuggling with your honey on the couch catching up on Season 6 of Schitt’s Creek while you tape individual pieces of candy to popsicle sticks, straws, or glow sticks. Stick them in the ground right before you expect the first trick-or-treaters to come by—you don’t want the squirrels to get there first!
Thanks to this Facebook user for a photo tutorial and tips to pull it off.
I experimented a little more with Candy Sticking for trick or treating this year and learned a few things.
1) You can…Posted by Wendy Reeves Winter on Tuesday, October 6, 2020