Halloween Reimagined

2020 has been a difficult year for kids, and if you're like me you want to hold onto to some traditions without putting your kids at risk. When Halloween merchandise hit the store shelves in July during the pandemic, my son started to plan what he would be for Halloween, where he would trick or treat, and how he would decorate for the holiday. A feeling of sadness washed over me. I began to wonder if Halloween would even take place this year. My maternal instincts kicked in and I came up with this list of safe activities:

#1 Go Apple Picking!

Head to Julian to pick apples, stay for lunch and have apple pie. It's a great start to fall. For a list of orchards click link: https://visitjulian.com/u-pick-orchards/

#2 Go Pumpkin Picking!

Don't settle for buying a pumpkin at the supermarket. Go to a real pumpkin farm, get fresh air, make it a special family activity, buy cider, walk through a corn maze, take photos. When you get home carve your pumpkin, save the pumpkin meat to make a pie or pumpkin ravioli, toast the seeds. Visit Bates Nuts Farm click link: https://batesnutfarm.biz/ce-12965-the-2020-pumpkin-patch.html

#3 Paint Ghost Leaves

Gather leaves, paint them white, and punch two holes for eyes to make spooky ghost leaves. 

#4 Make Scary Halloween Slime!

Shaving cream, food coloring, saline, and glue is all you need to make a witches brew! This fun STEM activity can be done with items you probably already have at home. It's festive, and multi-sensory. Visit:https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/make-witch-fluffy-halloween-slime-recipe-kids/

#5 Build A Halloween Book Library For Your Kids

For a list of books click link: https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/g22249376/halloween-books-for-kids/

#6 Create A Halloween Scavenger Hunt

Free Scavenger Hunt Printables Click Here!

#7 Paint Zombie Rocks

Find rocks outside and paint spooky faces on them. For ideas visit: https://www.simpleeverydaymom.com/zombie-halloween-painted-rocks-for-kids/

#8 Go To The 3rd Annual Track or Treat @ The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum

Sunday 10/25th 9 AM to 4 PM

Show Schedule

*Changes to come!*

7:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Breakfast

9:00 a.m.: Gates Open

10:00 a.m.: Sawmill Demo
10:30 a.m.: Gas Engine Row start up

10:30 a.m.: Milking Demo

11:00 a.m.: Tractor Games on the Parade Route
1:00 p.m.: Antique Equipment Parade

1:45 p.m.: Pumpkin Pinata

2:00 p.m.: Sawmill Demo

2:00 p.m.: Gas Engine Row start up
2:00 p.m.: Threshing Demo

3:00 p.m.: Milking Demo

4:00 p.m.: Gates Close

Click Links Below for Free Halloween Coloring Pages & Activities!

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#9 Make Halloween Paper Lanterns With Kids!

Visit Link for Instructions: https://thecraftingchicks.com/halloween-paper-lanterns-kid-craft/

#10 Turn Your Home Into a Haunted House

Why go out bring the fun to your home and kids can help decorate. For ideas click link: https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g1370/outdoor-halloween-decorations/

#11 Plan A Halloween Movie Night!

For a list of Halloween movies click link: https://www.countryliving.com/life/entertainment/g3624/best-halloween-movies/

#12 Have A Halloween Picnic

Make lots of spooky treats, read ghost stories, kids can wear their costumes. Have a picnic with just family or invite a small group of friends from your Covid pod. Some great parks for picnics: Pioneer Park in Mission Hills, Heritage Park in Old Town, Old Town State Park, Presidio Park.

#13 Halloween Slumber Party

Again, less is more in the age of Covid. Only invite children in your Covid pod.

#14 Get Crafty Click Here For Fun DIY Ideas!

*My Halloween Parenting Tip

If you're a health nut and you don't want your kids bringing home tons of candy, don't trick or treat, or at least limit the number of homes your child trick or treats from.

If you want to avoid Halloween visitors at your door this year, leave a bowl of candy in front of your home.

Want to avoid trick or treating altogether? Have back up plan like the ones listed above. Halloween is still happening in one shape or form, and it's up to parents to not stress out kids and deprive them of their childhood. Remember, if you're stressed chances are your kid is stressed too. 

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