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Halloween's a go! Let's do it safely!

Halloween's a go! Let's do it safely!

October 14, 2020

Let’s talk Halloween. If you think staying safe on October 31, means no fun, it’s time to get creative. In the last few weeks, the internet has been filled with ways to limit the spread of COVID-19 while celebrating Halloween. Whether you’re going to be with kids or adults, hop on line and you can find safe ideas along with inspiration for your (online) costume contest winning get-up. If that’s too overwhelming, here’s some simple ideas to keep you celebrating.

Kids Activites

Kids Activites

Lower risk

  • Having a virtual Halloween costume contest.
  • Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends.
  • Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to find.


Moderate risk

  • Participating in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up, away from the front door, for families to grab and go.
  • Having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart.
  • Visiting pumpkin patches where people are required to use hand sanitizer, wear masks, and maintain a physical distance of 6 feet or more.


Higher risk (avoid if possible)

  • Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door.
  • Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots.
  • Attending indoor costume parties and haunted houses with multiple people outside of your household.
Adult Activities

Adult Activities

Lower Risk

  • Host an online murder mystery dinner.
  • Watch a scary movie at the drive-in movie theater.
  • Go to a drive through haunted house.


Moderate Risk

  • Visit a pumpkin patch with physical distancing - don’t forget the pumpkin donuts!
  • Have an outdoor movie night where people can 6 feet apart - further if there will be screaming!


Higher Risk

  • Indoor parties with people from different households.
  • Activities with alcohol and people from different households.

For more Halloween tips and info, visit WA State Department of Health's Safe Halloween page

(information available in multiple languages).