We’ve come up with a list of 6 Halloween Ideas for you because would you believe it’s almost Halloween already? Autumn is upon us and the days are getting darker. Why not sit indoors for a bit with the kids and work on some crafts? 2020 has been a whirlwind for everyone which is why we thought we’d make a list of handy, easy Halloween Ideas for families.
Over here in Britain we don’t seem to celebrate Halloween as much as in the US for example. However, personally it is one of my favourite holidays. This year I quite fancy doing something different or going all out for it, despite the circumstances. It seems more important than ever to make memories right now doesn’t it?
Do we need to cancel Halloween this year?
Which brings us onto some very important questions, is it safe? And why bother? Well, it’s been tough not just for the grown ups but especially for the kids. Being apart from friends and loves ones must be really hard for little ones to understand. Not to mention the educational upheaval the kids have gone through. So, that’s why it’s important to show the family that despite everything that’s going on, we can still make the most of it. We can still have fun!
In all honesty though, if you’ve had a difficult time juggling childcare, work commitments, looking after elderly relations during this pandemic don’t be a hero! Put on a Halloween film and sit on front of the tv with the kids eating your weight in chocolate if that’s what you need right now. Everyone deserves a break so the most important message is do Halloween your way. You might want to make use of just one of our Halloween Ideas for the family or all of them.
How did Halloween even Begin?
The origin and history of Halloween is well documented. The word “Halloween” comes from “All Hallows’ Eve” and means “hallowed evening.” The tradition originates from a Celtic festival called “Samhain”. The Celts believed that Gods were visible in our world during this time and they liked to play tricks on us! Spooky eh!
Over the years, what was ritualistic and spiritual became more playful and instead of looking to the spirits of our past Halloween gradually became about telling our future fortunes.
It’s a tradition that’s been running for centuries, why stop now!
Trick or treating
In Scotland we go ‘guising’ and more and more people participate in Trick or Treating. Normally, the shops all dutifully stock pumpkins, witches, and ghosts in orange and black decors. However, trick or treating might not be the best idea given the coronavirus outbreak right now. Of course, guidelines are regional so always check with your local authority if your planning to go out this Halloween.
Even if you don’t intend to go Trick or Treating, Halloween can still be a source of good fun for the family. It’s a great occasion for crafts, snacks and treats, all in Halloween style.
6 Halloween Ideas for the whole family:
We’ve come up with a list of covid-friendly Halloween Ideas to do with the family to still make this Halloween just as memorable, if not better than “normal”.
1. Scavenger Hunt
Why not hide their favourite Halloween sweets around the house and they can hunt for them, try numbering each one with a label so you can tell them how many there are to hunt for and see how many they can find? Bonus, if they can’t find them all, you get to eat the rest! A handy covid-friendly alternative to trick or treating.
2. Halloween Costumes
We all love dressing up. Okay, maybe not everyone but it’s always fun to dress up the kids! It doesn’t matter if it’s just for you to take some fun snaps for the scrap book or memory board. For some ideas on what to do with the little ones, check out our Pinterest board where we collected some fun and easy projects for this Halloween like this little cute bat:
3. Halloween Decorations
Children will love making creepy decorations to turn the home into a haunted mansion. We’ve got a few suggestions of our own:
Google Eyed Halloween Wreath
These easy-peasy lanterns are fun and not at all messy to make:
4. Family Halloween Films
I have always loved creepy movies and books, ever since I was a wee girl. I would read book after book about werewolves, vampires and witches, and thought nothing could ever scare me until I was in bed later and screaming for mum to please check under my bed and in my cupboards! If you plan to settle and stay in, why not watch a not-too-scary movie?
So why not all have a Halloween pj day watching movies? Surprise them with matching spooky Halloween pyjamas and spend the day playing games, telling jokes and watching Halloween films!
We recommend movies such as:
- Monster’s Inc.
- Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
- Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride
- Roald Dahl’s The Witches for the older ones
- Super Monsters Save Halloween Goosebumps 2, Monster Family and Dreamworks Spooky Stories are all on Netflix.
- Hocus Pocus, Coco and Frankenweenie are all on Disney Plus just now
5. Halloween cooking
Make use of those Halloween Pumpkins if you’re making the classic Jack O Lanterns why not use the guts? Pumpkin is nutritious and can be made into a huge variety of dishes from soups like this one from BBC good food:
Or you can go down the sweet route with an all American Pumpkin Pie. Bonus, this one is Vegan and super, duper easy:
We will admit though, pumpkin isn’t for everyone so if it’s not your thing, why not make some ghostly cupcakes with the kids? Let them lick the spoon and decorate them at the end. Remember, only grown ups should be taking things in and out of the oven!
These ones even have carrots and pineapple in them:
6. And for the grown ups?
Halloween Cocktails of course.
Did you know that tonic water glows under black light? Because it’s got quinine in it. Very much in the Halloween spirit to have glowing Halloween spirits! You can even make glowing jelly by mixing jelly and tonic water in an ice cube tray.
If colour changing cocktails are in your wheel house why not try this one we’ve found. It uses cabbage believe it or not. Apparently you can’t taste it at all but I’ve not tried it myself so you’ll have to let us know if you try it and it works!
So that proves it. Despite coronavirus we can all still have Halloween fun with the family in one way or another! Why not try some of our Halloween Ideas yourself and let us know how you get on. Or if you have some clever ideas of your own why not share those with us in the comments or via our social media platforms. We hope you have a spooktacular Halloween!