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Over the past several days, I’ve had lots of people searching on my blog for Halloween activities. For some of you, this year will be back to business as usual, and you can resume your pre-pandemic traditions.
Unfortunately, COVID still lurks in some parts of the country. So you might need to adjust your Halloween activities again this year.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun! Today I’m re-sharing a post I wrote a couple of years ago that many of you found helpful. I hope these eight suggestions will inspire you to think outside the box and create new activities that will make the holiday enjoyable for residents and staff.
1. Reminiscing
Invite your residents to share stories about what Halloween was like when they were growing up. You might begin with these questions:
- What was your favorite costume as a child?
- How old were you when you stopped trick-or-treating?
- If any of you grew up in another country, how did you celebrate Halloween?
- Did you do anything naughty on Halloween? (toilet papering houses, soaping windows, etc.)
- How did you collect your candy? (pail, pillowcase, etc.)
- Did you ever have a scary experience on Halloween?
- What was your favorite candy to receive? Least favorite?
- Did people ever pass out anything besides candy?
- What else did you do on Halloween aside from trick-or-treating?
2. Window visits
If you’re lucky enough to have pleasant weather on Halloween, encourage children to come in costume for window visits. They can walk around the building, pausing to wave at each window.
It’s safest for kids to wear their cloth masks instead of traditional Halloween masks, and remind them to maintain the standard 6-feet distancing protocols.
At the end, give each child a little bag of treats. Besides candy, consider these other fun options.
3. Car parade
Invite residents to dress up in costumes, then sit outside (social distancing, of course) for a car parade. Families and staff can drive by and wave or hold funny signs.
Your residents’ costumes need not be elaborate or expensive. You’ll find lots of ideas for creative, low-cost costumes on Pinterest.
4. Just for fun
You can do these activities during one-to-one visits, as a hallway activity, or in small groups. And they don’t require any preparation!
- Make your residents laugh with these silly Halloween jokes.
- Turn down the lights and share a few not-so-scary ghost stories.
- Find out if your residents know these fascinating Halloween facts.
5. Old-time treats
Ask your residents if they remember these vintage Halloween candies:
- Pop rocks
- Necco wafers
- Sugar babies
- Sweet tarts
- Wax lips
- Candy necklaces
Did you know you can still buy many of these treats from Woodstock candies
6. Slideshow
Invite residents, families, and staff to submit copies of photos from Halloweens of the past, then create a slideshow. You’ll also want an enthusiastic emcee to describe the pictures and tell any funny stories about the photos.
Depending on local guidelines, you can show the slides in small groups, on an outdoor screen, or set it up on your nursing home’s in-room TV channel.
7. Hallway parade
Encourage staff to dress up in costumes for a hallway parade. It’s even more fun if the staff dance down the halls to Halloween music. (“Monster Mash” is my favorite!)
Ask your residents to vote for their favorite costumes. Then provide prizes donated by local businesses. If you can’t do full costumes, you can invite staff to decorate their face masks.
8. Cards and notes
Invite a school or daycare center to color Halloween pictures to mail to your nursing home. Better yet, ask them to write notes on the back of their pictures.
The kids can tell the residents how they plan to celebrate Halloween. Or, for a few laughs, ask the kids to write what they believe to be the recipe for making a pumpkin pie.
I would love to hear how your nursing home plans to celebrate Halloween this year. Please share your ideas in the comment section!
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