We know we aren’t the only dads who had big dreams for Halloween this year—after all, how often does the spooky holiday actually fall on a weekend? And one that coincides with a super rare blue moon, no less! Our kids have had their costumes picked out since last October, and we were fully prepared to endure 48-hour sugar highs and demand extra candy tax in compensation.
Of course, no one could have predicted a global pandemic would throw a wrench into those plans, leaving many of us scratching our heads as to how to make a highly anticipated event as fun and “normal” as possible, while also keeping our kids safe.
Well, winning first place at the “Why didn’t I think of that?” awards, Ohio dad Andrew Beattie devised a genius solution to our Halloween 2020 dilemma.
RELATED: Hey Parents: Don’t Feel Bad, We’re All Struggling
As he explains in a viral Facebook post, with a tube from an old Amazon delivery and about 20 minutes of spare time, Beattie invented a candy chute for contactless trick-or-treating that attaches directly to his handrail.
In the caption, he explains how he plans to distribute candy from a factory-sealed bag while wearing a mask and changing gloves frequently to limit exposure. There will also be a sign at the bottom of the chute directing trick-or-treaters where to stand and how to catch the candy in their buckets or bags.
An added bonus? Not only will this make passing out candy Covid-compliant, but it also helps trick-or-treaters who might not be able to navigate the stairs to his front door.
“If this candy chute makes things easier or safer, AND gives those with mobility challenges more of a chance to participate, then what’s the harm? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, ya’ know.”
We couldn’t agree more.
Like most holidays in 2020, Halloween won’t look the same as it has in years past. But it’s pretty awesome to see the creative and ingenious ways that Americans are adapting to less-than-ideal circumstances and making the best of it.
The things we do for our kids, right?