5 Creepy, COVID-Safe Halloween Activities

Halloween. This occasion is a time to get together with friends and family and celebrate all things candy and monster-related. However, like last year, the problem is not terrifying movies or inevitable sugar high; it’s the social gathering aspect. Although people are now more comfortable having parties and visiting family members, those who are more susceptible to catching COVID or need to quarantine for Halloween may prefer options that don’t include leaving the house. If these apply to you (or you happen to be an introvert), look no further. As well, each of these activities can be altered to accommodate the latest COVID restriction guidelines: ten people at most for indoor social gatherings, and an outdoor maximum of twenty-five people. Now without further ado, here are 5 COVID-friendly Halloween activities to enjoy!

Activity #1: Outdoor scary movie night

Immerse yourself in a scary movie by watching it outside with friends!

Almost all slasher films have a pursuit scene out in nature, whether in a forest, beach, lakeside dock, or even someone’s yard. If you’re a horror fan, make your movie marathon more immersive by watching a terrifying movie or kid-friendly substitute outside. Set up a laptop, homemade projector, or store-bought projector and screen, some lawn chairs and blankets, and plenty of snacks. Not quarantining? Then invite some friends over to join in your Halloween horror movie binge!

Here are some movie ideas:

Scary movies (not recommended for kids under 13):

• Halloween movies

• A Nightmare on Elm Street

• Psycho

• It movies

• Midsommar

• The Conjuring movies

• Alien

• The Birds

• Scream movies

• Get Out

Kid-Friendly movies:

• Coraline

• Paranorman

• The Nightmare Before Christmas

• Hocus Pocus

• Spooky Buddies

• Scared Shrekless

• The Boy Who Cried Werewolf

• Monster House

• The Addams Family movies

• Gremlins

Activity #2: Beach Camping

Beach camping is a great way to enjoy nature on a spooky Halloween night.

Take advantage of the eerie feeling in the air and camp on the beach with your family or small group of friends. Popular public locations include Papalaua Wayside Park and Wai’anapanapa State Park, but there are also spots available at private campgrounds like Camp Olowalu in Lahaina.

Build a fire and tell your scariest stories as you hear the waves gently lapping on the shore. Enjoy some fun camping activities such as making s’mores, barbecuing hamburgers, or even shucking some opihi. Feeling brave? Play a scary game in the dark, if you dare. Then, after waking up the next morning, shake off the jitters from last night by surfing and swimming around in the water.

Games to play (some at your own risk): Ouija board, Murder Mystery, Light as a Feather Stiff as a Board, the Cat Scratch Game, Truth or Dare, Hide and Seek.

Activity #3: Pumpkin Carving Challenge

In a creative mood? Try a pumpkin carving challenge. With family, some friends, or even a virtual group, put your inner artisan and chef to the test by carving your pumpkin into anything you can think of! Make use of the seeds and insides of your pumpkin to make some Halloween-inspired foods. Pumpkin soup, pie, cheesecake, smoothies, cake, tacos, and cheesy dip are all blank canvases for a spooky treat. Take some pictures of your spooky creations and enjoy the tasty food you made!

Alternate option: Anything-But-A-Pumpkin carving challenge

Pumpkins are passé in this contest. Use anything but the traditional orange gourd to make a jack o’ lantern: apples, zucchinis, oranges, pineapples, avocados, squash could all be suitable candidates. The most creative carving wins!

Activity #4: Contactless Trick Or Treat

Did the idea of greeting random kids all night make you squirm, even before COVID? With this next activity, you can avoid the crowds but still deliver the candy in style. Constructing a candy chute to the front door out of household materials is a great way to get your whole family involved in this holiday, especially those with a knack for engineering. Two-story houses would be ideal for this, but using a high window in a one-story house would work too. Once your chute is built, keep an eye on the front door and let the candy loose! You’ll definitely be the highlight of those kids’ Halloween night.

Go all out with haunted house decor!

Alternative activity: Halloween Drive-Thru Adventure at Keopuolani Park

Have younger family members who want to trick or treat? Vie for this safer option offered by Maui County this year at Keopuolani Park. In addition to drive-thru style trick or treating, a vintage car showcase, Mystery Maze, and pumpkin patch are additional fun activities that can make this event perfect for the whole family. If you’d like to learn more, click the link below:

“Halloween is On!” Trick-or-Treating is Back, but Maui Drive Through Events Encouraged | Maui Now

Activity #5: Costume Photoshoot

You might have the perfect costume but aren’t planning to go out for the night. The only solution: a costume photoshoot. Even zombies want to take pictures sometimes, after all. With a friend or family member, use things from around the house to create a scene based on your costume. Mermaids can pose on ocean rocks made of couch cushions, combing their lovely locks with a fork. Superheroes can look over cities made of cardboard boxes after defeating the evil villain (a.k.a. the family pet). Trying different filters and photography tricks can be a fun way to make your photos unique!

Alternative Activity: Make your own Halloween movie

Are you a film buff or just love videography? Write a quick script or storyboard for a DIY short film. Stuffed animals, family members, and even just yourself are viable actor candidates. Don’t worry about making your edit perfect after filming concludes. Just enjoy the movie you made!

No matter what kind of situation you are in, there is still the opportunity to have fun and celebrate this wonderfully strange day. But, don’t stop yet; think of activities you love and incorporate that into your Halloween celebrations. After all, having fun is what the day is for. Have a safe and spooky Halloween, everyone!