3 super-simple ways to get into the Halloween spirit, no tricks or treats required
Just give us the candy.
If there's one thing we know for sure about Halloween 2020, it's that it won't resemble the holidays past.
But Halloween isn't cancelled -- far from it. Though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding door-to-door trick-or-treating, indoor haunted houses, costume parties and "trunk or treating," where children go from car to car to receive treats, there are still fun activities that can keep everyone safe while getting into the Halloween spirit.
These three activities can all be done outside, weather permitting.
For Halloween costume ideas, beauty and style tips, DIY inspiration, recipes and more, visit our "GMA" Halloween Guide!
1. The Candy Slide
This fun twist on trick-or-treating is contactless. Instead of reaching into a communal bucket to pass out candy, kids instead stand at the bottom of a "candy slide" to get the sweets.
The popular YouTube duo Wicked Makers came up with a simple DIY slide anyone can construct in their own yard. "We wanted to make it super easy and accessible for anyone," Jaimie Nakae, one half of the duo, said. "Anyone can build this using a minimal amount of tools and materials easily found at Lowe's or Home Depot."
2. Halloween Piñatas
No need to wait for your kid's next birthday party to hang a piñata -- a candy-filled ghost or goblin in a tree in the backyard is a super-simple way to celebrate the day.
There's no shortage of Halloween-themed piñatas available from Amazon, Target and Party City, but if you're looking for a way to make the experience hands on, there are plenty of DIY options. The DIY Network has easy paper mache ideas, including black cats, candy corn and, of course, pumpkins. There's even options for individual piñatas.
3. Scavenger Hunts
There's two fun ways to make a fun, simple Halloween scavenger hunt: Either have the kids search for Halloween items such as a Jack-o'-Lantern, a broom or black cat, and earn candy at each or have them tick off a list of the candy items themselves. Either way, there's candy, so it's a win-win.
Pinterest has plenty of options, of course, but one of our favorites is found on Hey, Let's Make Stuff. In addition to a free printable scavenger hunt, there's also Halloween Bingo and a Halloween word search on the website.
For more ideas on ways to celebrate Halloween safely this year, visit our "GMA" Halloween guide.