Lessons To Teach Your Kids This Valentine's Day

It's February, and the shelves are lined in red and pink for Valentine's Day.

Have you ever given much thought to the opportunity you have on Valentine's Day to teach kids about love?

I'll be honest, it used to be a fleeting thought, but for the last few years, I've been trying to be more intentional.

Here are some ideas I have picked up that I am passing along to you.

Show Kids They Are Loved With Words

Words matter. The more often kids hear they are loved, the more likely they will believe it.

Valentine's Day makes it easy to show your kids you love them with words.

Write them a note and put it in their lunchbox. Write a message on their bathroom mirror. Say it out loud. Better yet, shout it!

Show Kids They Are Loved With Time

We all know that actions speak louder than words.

In addition to using words on Valentine's Day to express yourself, use your time.

Put down your phone, turn off the TV, and spend some quality one-on-one time with your child.

Do a craft, bake, or enjoy a shared activity together.

Show Kids They Are Loved With Gifts

While kids shouldn't be taught that gifts equal love, a thoughtful gift is a nice gesture of love.

When these gifts come along with your words and attention, they are even more meaningful.

Show Kids How To Love Others

On Valentine's Day, kids give out little valentines to their classmates and friends.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to teach them the importance of showing love to everyone – even people who are different than them.

In addition, they are learning from you how to show love to others. Let them hear you tell your spouse you love him, see you exchange gifts, or spend time together.

Show Kids How To Accept Love

It's also vital that you show kids how to accept love.

Receiving love is essential to our overall well-being.

The easiest way to teach this, beyond showing kids unconditional love, is to accept the love they give you.

This means not wiping off the slimy kisses or resisting hugs. It means hearing their words of love and responding.

Show Kids You Love Yourself

Dee Ray, director of the Center for Play Therapy, explains, "It’s not enough for a parent to love and accept the child for the child to truly learn self-love. [Kids] must also see that the parents love and accept themselves. Watching a parent make mistakes and be imperfect, yet still be loving and accepting of self, is a powerful way to encourage children to love themselves.”

Show Kids It Is More Than One Day A Year

One final Valentine’s Day love lesson for kids – it is more than one day of the year.

Make sure you tell kids that the ways love is expressed on Valentine's Day can (and should) be done throughout the year.

What do you plan to do to make Valentine’s Day special for your kids?

My Best Tips for Taking Pics of Your Kids

It’s no secret I love taking pics of my girls. But I’d be lying if I said it is easy.

It’s taken years of practice to realize what works and what doesn’t.

After trial and error, here are my best tips for taking pics of your kids.

Remember Your Why

If we’re being honest, there are many times we take pictures on our phones without having an actual reason to.

We are so used to taking pictures of anything and everything that we sometimes forget why we are taking pics in the first place.

Personally, these are my whys:

• I want to remember special moments with my girls, such as fun events or award ceremonies.

• I want to remember my girls with the people they love.

• I want to remember my girls at various ages and stages.

Lower Your Expectations

We live in a picture-perfected curated world that makes it really easy to hold our kids to unattainable standards – especially when it comes to pictures.

Don’t expect your kids to always take perfect pictures!

For every picture you see on your social media feed, remember that the mom took several others and only posted the best one.

Instead, lower your expectations. If you capture your whys, that’s what matters.

Stop Lying to Get the Perfect Pic

I’d be lying if I claimed I never said, “Just one more pic!” to my girls.

However, I have learned (the hard way) that this hurts more than it helps.

Kids know you’re lying when you make this claim.

Instead, choose your words wisely, such as, “Once we get a picture with both of you looking in the same direction, we’ll be finished.”

Let Kids Be Kids

In our quest for perfect pics, we can sometimes try to force our kids to act older than they are.

Don’t do it.

Let kids be kids!

You’ll get much better pictures if you snap some while they are playing rather than forcing them to stand still and pose.

If they want to act silly, it’s okay! Kids are silly!

Don’t Force Smiles

If you try to force a smile, you’ll get a fake smile.

Don’t tell them to say cheese and don’t tell them to smile.

Instead, give them a reason to smile, such as telling a corny joke, and then snap the pic.

Bribery Works, Too

I am not above bribing my girls for a picture now and then.

Since we live in such a picture-heavy society (taking pictures constantly), I try to only use bribery for the pictures I really want, such as holiday pics.

The key is to keep the bribe small and to give clear rules.

For instance, you can’t say, “I’ll give you some M&Ms if you take a pic,” and then try to get kids to take twenty pictures until you get the perfect one.

Tell them what you are looking for, ask their suggestions, and tell them what you’ll give them as a reward.

Make Sure You Print Pictures

After all the hard work of getting the perfect pictures, don’t let them just sit on your phone or your computer.

Print them out and hang them up in your home!

If kids know the pictures you take will actually be used, they’ll be more willing to show off their photogenic personalities.

How to Raise Glass Shattering Daughters

I came across the quote, “Teach your daughters to worry less about fitting into glass slippers and more about shattering glass ceilings.” It really spoke to me.

I have two amazing, strong, intelligent, and beautiful daughters. I don’t want them to be held back by any glass ceiling.

Merriam-Webster defines a glass ceiling as “an intangible barrier within a hierarchy that prevents women or minorities from obtaining upper-level positions.”

There’s a lot of talk about glass ceilings, and it is so exciting to be living in a time when women are shattering them right and left.

But it still takes work.

As their mom, I want to do all I can to help encourage my daughters to shatter glass ceilings.

Here are some of the ways I am trying to raise my glass shattering girls.

Embrace STEM

According to AAUW, “Women make up only 28% of the workforce in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and men vastly outnumber women majoring in most STEM fields in college. The gender gaps are particularly high in some of the fastest-growing and highest-paid jobs of the future, like computer science and engineering.”

The best way to show girls they have a place in STEM is to get them started with it while they are young. My girls enjoy STEM toys, have taken STEM classes, and have spent summers in STEM camps.

Boost Their Confidence

According to a study reported by the BBC, “Girls lose faith in their own talents by the age of six.” Yikes! I do not want my girls to ever lose faith in their own talents. I make every effort to tell them how great they are and encourage their unique talents every chance I get.

Introduce Positive Female Role Models

There is no shortage of role models in the world – good and bad. I try to be strategic about introducing my girls to positive female role models. I do so by using real life, history, books, and even movies and television shows.

Teach Them to Know Their Worth

Forbes claims, “Self-worth is a self-evaluative emotional reaction. It’s a feeling of confidence in our abilities and qualities.” And much of our self-worth is defined in early childhood. This means that we, as moms, have a huge role to play in helping our daughters believe in their intrinsic value and worth. My goal is to make them feel known, seen, loved, and valued throughout their lives.

Show Them Women Support Women

If you want your daughters to shatter glass ceilings, you’ve got to teach them to support other women. Show her the importance of cheering other girls on and encouraging others. I do the same.

Model Empowering Behaviors

Finally, I am trying my hardest to model these types of behaviors for my daughters. I am trying to show them that they can love shoes (I mean, hello!) and love technology. I am trying to speak words of life and love to them daily. I am trying to recognize my own value and demonstrate it by the way I practice self-care and positive self-talk.

What are you doing to help your daughters break glass ceilings?

7 Ways to Teach Kids About Money

Kids really seem to believe money grows on trees. Unless parents teach kids about money, they’ll be in for a rude awakening.

According to Bankrate, “Only 16.4 percent of U.S. high school students are required to take a personal finance course” and “84 percent of respondents agreed that high school didn’t prepare them to handle their money.”

I don’t want my girls to leave home not knowing how to handle their finances, which is why I am being intentional about teaching my kids about money.

Here are 7 things I am doing to teach my girls about money.

1. Talk to Your Kids About Money

The first thing I had to do was get over being uncomfortable talking about money. In America, talking about money is so taboo. But, if we don’t talk to our kids about money, who will?

Start by simply explaining that money doesn’t grow on trees. Explain that you work to get a paycheck. Then, you use the money from your paycheck to pay for the things you need, such as utilities. You’ll probably discover your kids are surprised to learn you have to pay bills for things like water and electricity.

Then, explain that you use the remaining money to pay for the things you want, such as vacations and toys.

2. Give Your Kids Opportunities to Earn Money

Teaching kids about money requires hands-on learning opportunities. This means that you need to give them opportunities that model how money works.

Instead of just giving them money, give them an opportunity to earn money, such as doing chores or hosting a lemonade stand.

3. Discuss Opportunity Costs

Start explaining that every “yes” means a “no” to something else even when kids are young. Even as an adult, this is a hard concept to understand! When we say “yes” to one activity, it means “no” to another activity.

The same applies to spending money. If my daughter spends her money on a pricey toy, it means she won’t have money to spend on a different one.

4. Show Your Kids Your Receipts

There is a surprising amount of power in showing kids your receipts. Again, this is uncomfortable at first. But, receipts make money tangible.

For example, kids don’t realize how quickly things add up. Show kids your receipt from stopping to get fast food so they can see how each small meal adds up.

5. Play Money Games

Teaching kids about money doesn’t have to be boring. Pull out some classic board games like Life or Monopoly. In addition to requiring kids to use math, these also teach important financial habits.

6. Teach Kids How to Shop the Smart Way

I love shopping – and so do my girls! But I am trying my hardest to teach them how to shop smart.

Whenever I can, I point out sales and discounts.

Similarly, I also encourage my daughters to do price comparisons. For instance, if they see something they “have to have,” I’ll make them wait and look it up online to see if they can find it cheaper somewhere else.

7. Get Them a Kid-Friendly Debit Card

I am a big fan of kid-friendly debit cards like Greenlight. These cards are connected to a parent’s bank account and put parents in control. With the cards, I can control where they shop and how much of their allowance goes into spending, saving, and giving.

Plus, my girls feel so grown up using their own debit cards when shopping. They take great pride in shopping with their own money.

What tips do you have for teaching kids about money?

12 Parenting Tips for the Middle Years

I am right in the middle of middle childhood, which is defined as ages 6 to 12.

There is a lot of information out there about how to parent babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and even teenagers.

But, there is not nearly as much out there about raising children during their middle childhood years.

And, I sure wish there was more available because I am currently living with a 7-year-old who thinks she is 17!

According to On My Way: A guide to Support Middle Years Child Development, “Middle childhood is a period when children are exploring who they are and who they want to be, establishing basic skills and health habits, grappling with puberty, physical changes and gender roles, making friendships and forming attitudes about the world they live in, and taking first steps toward independence.”

With a 10-year-old and a 7-year-old, I need all the help I can get with parenting during the middle childhood years!

Here’s the best advice I’ve found.

1. Allow Some Independence

Middle childhood is all about growing independent, so it’s time to let go a bit, Mom. As they get older, let them do things without you.

2. Make Them Responsible

Along with independence, look for opportunities to teach your kids to be responsible. An age-appropriate way to do so is to start having kids do chores around the house.

Another way to teach responsibility is to encourage kids to take ownership of their schoolwork. Let them complete homework and projects independently and accept responsibility when they make mistakes.

3. Talk and Talk Some More

Open communication goes a long way during these years of growth. Kids are soaking up everything they are hearing during this stage, so you want your positive, helpful, caring voice to be the loudest of all.

4. Teach Healthy Habits

Middle childhood is critical when it comes to teaching healthy habits because kids are learning more independence. They need to know how to take care of themselves (such as personal hygiene, healthy eating, and getting enough sleep).

5. Listen Rather Than Lecture

We want to give our kids advice to succeed, but when advice-giving turns to lecturing, your kids will stop listening. Instead, give your kids ample time to explain their reasoning and talk about what is going on in their lives.

6. Set Realistic Expectations

We want our children to be successful. However, we need to make sure the expectations we set are realistic and reasonable. If you set goals and expectations that are too hard for a middle age child, he or she will feel defeated.

7. Support Their Strengths

Children in this stage are learning their strengths and weaknesses. When you and your child identify a strength, encourage them in this area.

Children.gov suggests, “Acknowledge what children are good at, and support them in doing those activities as often and as well as possible. Use the things they are good at, whatever those things might be, to help them build their self-confidence.”

8. Read, Read, Read

Even as your child reads independently, look for opportunities to read together. Choose chapter books that interested you at their age and share the stories with them.

9. Show Affection

The days of easy affection with your child will eventually come to an end, so take advantage of this stage when they are growing independent but still want (and need) hugs.

10. Have Fun Together

Many parents find they love the middle childhood stage because it is fun! Kids are just starting to be able to do fun activities alongside you, such as riding roller coasters and playing board games.

11. Start Some Traditions

The childhood memories your child will cling to really start to form during this life stage. So, this is the time to start embracing family traditions, such as family dinners and annual visits to apple orchards.

12. Praise Them Constantly

Last but not least, go out of your way to praise your child! Their self-esteem is developing during middle childhood, and you can help give it a boost by showing them they are loved.

Dos and Don’ts of the First Summer Post Pandemic

After last year’s shutdown summer, and after what was one of the wildest school years ever, my girls and I were ready for summer break.

And we have been loving every minute of this post-pandemic summer! I hope you are, too!

However, now that we are in the throes of summer and school is quickly approaching, I realize I have had some wins and some fails.

So, I am taking some time today to share what I have done right (and wrong) so far in hopes it can help you make the most of your post-pandemic summer!

Don’t Overdo It

I realized very quickly into this post-pandemic summer that I was way overdoing it.

I was trying to cram everything fun in that I felt like my family missed last summer.

It started off fun, but it went south very quickly.

Basically, we were all exhausted and couldn’t go from 0-60 like I tried.

Pre-pandemic, it was normal for us to go-go-go, but we just aren’t there yet. And that’s okay.

If you are feeling worn out, slow down. There will be other summers that feel normal again.

Do Have Lowkey Fun

At the same time, fun is a must.

After burning out, I looked for ways to have lowkey fun, such as Sundaes on Sundays.

My goal was little outings that we missed out on last summer but didn’t require an entire day or a ton of energy.

What I discovered was it didn’t matter to my girls if we did something small. They were happy just to be out and feel somewhat normal again.

Don’t Stress About Screen Time

In summers past, I stressed screen time rules.

But the pandemic made all of us through our screen time rules out of the window.

And I quickly realized that trying to get my girls to fall back into old screen time rules was more trouble than it was worth.

The good news is that the pandemic introduced me to a ton of fantastic online programs, such as Tynker and iD Tech.

The quality of programming is so great that I no longer feel guilty if they are glued to their screens.

As long as my girls have spent time moving, creating, and communicating, I’m okay with them having a little extra screen time.

Plus, it means I get some time to myself.

Do Splurge

Earlier I said that my girls are totally fine doing something small, but I have tried to spoil them a bit this summer, too.

The pandemic has been really hard on our kids, and they have acted like champs.

I wanted to reward them for rolling with the punches and having a better attitude than their parents most of the time.

So, we did plan a few getaways to kid-friendly spots like DreamWorks Water Park in New Jersey.

Don’t Wait ‘Til the Last Minute to Shop for School

I remember how difficult it was to shop last year when stores didn’t have usual hours and had capacity limits.

I never want to deal with that again.

So, from here on out (pandemic or no pandemic), I am doing my back-to-school shopping sooner rather than later.

Speaking of back-to-school shopping, the next two weeks are the sweet spot for getting school clothes on sale from major retailers.

How to Talk to Kids About What They See on the News

The events of the past week have left many parents in the difficult position of trying to explain news coverage to their children. Whether it is what happened at the Capitol on January 6th, the pandemic, violence, or natural disasters, the news coverage is scary – especially for kids. If, like me, you have struggled with how to talk to your kids about what they see on the news, here are some tips from psychologists.  

Look at those innocent faces! Their innocence makes these conversations so hard.

Don’t Lie or Hide the Truth

It can be tempting to avoid discussing major events with kids, but if they are school-aged, they will likely see or hear about it somehow. Therefore, it is important for parents to discuss these events with their kids, so they get the correct information. When speaking to your kids, you want to tell them the truth about what happened. Tell the truth in an age-appropriate, fact-based approach.

Emphasize Their Safety

It’s crucial to make kids feel safe. No matter what major news event has occurred, kids need to know they are safe and protected. CNN explains, “Younger kids tend to wonder if something bad is going to happen to them or to you. Reassuring them not only brings them peace; it allows them to feel like a kid where the burden of being the protector is on the parents. Kids need parents to be parents during times of crisis.”

Ask Them Questions First

A wise way to approach the topic is to begin by asking your kids what they have heard about the news story. Instead of jumping straight in, feel them out to see what they already know or what misinformation they have gathered. This will help guide your conversation.

Be Concise

Kids don’t need to know all the details – just give the gist of what happened. Keep the truth simple and to the point.

Demonstrate Coping Mechanisms

As adults, we are more aware of what is happening and how it may or may not affect us. We already have coping mechanisms we know to employ when we feel anxious or stressed (such as turning off the news, going on a walk, taking deep breathes, etc.). Use this as an opportunity to talk to your kids about how you deal with scary news and demonstrate your coping skills.

Limit Media Exposure

Let’s face it. Sometimes what they show on the news is scary – even for adults. Therefore, we should limit media exposure for our kids. If you are watching the news on your tv or phone and they are showing things that will scare your kids, turn it off until the kids are in bed.

Teach Them to Look for the Helpers

When they do see or hear scary news, teach them to look for the helpers. Mister Rogers famously said, "When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'" Remind kids that when bad things happen, people run to their aid. Find stories from the particular event of these everyday heroes.

Name Your Feelings

Lastly, don’t be afraid to tell your kids how you are feeling. This is actually a good way to teach your kids emotional intelligence. Tell them you are sad, frustrated, or angry, and ask your kids to name their feelings, too.

What other tips do you have for talking with your kids about the scary stuff they see or hear on the news? Let me know in the comments.

7 Easy Ways to Make Christmas Eve Extra Special

Christmas 2020 is going to look and feel a little different – but that doesn’t mean it has to be “bad” different. We can still give our kids a magical Christmas even if we have to stay home, Clorox more often, and see Santa with a mask. If we have the right attitude and enough Christmas spirit, this may just be the Christmas our kids remember the most. Here are 7 easy ways to make Christmas Eve extra special for kids this year.

Mix Up Reindeer Food

On Christmas Eve, guide Santa’s reindeer to your home with reindeer food. The idea is to mix food reindeers will eat, such as oatmeal, with shiny glitter to attract them to your yard. Here’s an easy (cheap) recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything:

INGREDIENTS

1 cup oatmeal

1 cup white sugar

1/4 to 1/2 cup red and green colored decorating sugar crystals

INSTRUCTIONS

Mix all the ingredients together and sprinkle it on your lawn.

Bake Cookies

One of the benefits of a quarantine Christmas is that we have more time at home than usual. Typically, we have to find time in the hustle and bustle of the season. Since we aren’t as busy, it means we finally have time to go all-out when baking cookies for Santa. This is the year to make a mess and have some fun with the kids in the kitchen.

Hot Cocoa Bar

Before you get ready to leave out milk and cookies for Santa, set up a hot cocoa bar for the whole family. Choose some special toppings and stirrers to make the cocoa extra special. Kids top their mugs like they would at an ice cream sundae bar. Don’t forget to put out some peppermint vodka for Mr. and Mrs. Claus to add to their mugs.

Play Christmas-Themed Games

During the Easter quarantine, we played competition-style Easter-themed games (such as an egg spoon relay). We plan to do the same on Christmas Eve, such as pin the red nose on Rudolph. Check out Parents' list of 10 Fun Christmas Party Games for Kids of All Ages.

Have a Special Dinner Without Cooking

Unless you love cooking, 2020 is the year to let someone else do it for you. Not only does this guarantee it will be delicious, but it will also help your favorite restaurants stay in business. With so many restaurants suffering from lost revenue, you can support them by ordering a pre-cooked Christmas dinner.

Track Santa

The pandemic is not going to prevent Santa from delivering toys to all the girls and boys around the world. Dr. Fauci told USA Today, “Santa is exempt from [this pandemic] because Santa, of all the good qualities, has a lot of good innate immunity. Santa is not going to be spreading any infections to anybody.” Since Santa is declared safe to spread joy, track his journey with NORAD.

Sibling Sleepover

A Christmas Eve tradition we have that we plan to keep until forever is encouraging our daughters to treat Christmas Eve as an extra special sleepover. If your kids don’t share a room, this is a great way for them to bond and to keep them secure in one room while Santa prepares the presents.

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

This May Be Why Your Kids Don’t Act Grateful

Have you ever thought your kids could be a little more grateful? You’re not the only one. With Thanksgiving around the corner, it has me thinking about how to raise my daughters to be grateful people. Of course, I encourage them to say thank you, but I’ve come to find there is a big difference between teaching them to simply say those words and actually being grateful. When doing some research, I discovered that there is a clear reason why our kids don’t act grateful - we don’t teach them.

You Haven’t Taught the 4 Parts of Gratitude

According to Greater Good Magazine, “Research suggests that the experience of gratitude has four parts, but we rarely teach all of them to our kids.” The majority of parents focus solely on what children DO to show gratitude (i.e., saying “thank you”). However, there are three other parts of gratitude that should come into play before we actually show gratitude.

Here is an explanation from the Raising Grateful Kids project at UNC Chapel Hill.

Based on the scientific literature and our conversations with parents, we’ve come to think about gratitude as an experience that has four parts:

• What we NOTICE in our lives for which we can be grateful

• How we THINK about why we have been given those things

• How we FEEL about the things we have been given

• What we DO to express appreciation in turn

In order for kids to learn to be grateful, they have to work their way through these four parts. But, most parents tend to stick to part number four: what we do to express appreciation (say, “thank you”).

Put It Into Practice

Fortunately, once you understand that there are four parts to gratitude, it is easier to teach your children gratitude.

• NOTICE – Start by helping your kids notice the things in their life they are grateful for beyond a gift, such as being grateful for the person who gave it to them being in their life.

• THINK – Move on to helping your kid think about the gift. Greater Good recommends the following questions: “Why do you think you received this gift? Do you think you owe the giver something in return? Do you think you earned the gift because of something you did yourself? Do you think the gift was something the giver had to give you? If you answered no to these questions, then you may be more likely to be grateful.”

• FEEL – Ask your kid how the gift makes your child feel (such as happy) and what about the gift makes them feel this way.

• DO – What can you DO to show appreciation for this gift? Greater Good explains, “Prompting children after experiences of gratitude in order to motivate acts of gratitude, whether they be acts of appreciation or paying it forward, may help children connect their experiences and actions in the world.”

Model the Four Parts of Gratitude for Your Kids

Ultimately, the best way to teach your kids gratitude is to act grateful yourself. Let’s say a stranger ahead of you in line buys your Starbucks.

• NOTICE – Wow! I am so grateful that there are kind people in the world like that nice man.

• THINK – I didn’t even do anything for him to pay for my drink. What a kind gesture! Hmmm, maybe I should do something kind in return.

• FEEL – That small gift from a stranger made me feel so good inside.

• DO – Thank the stranger and then pay it forward and buy the person behind you a coffee.

13 Safe Halloween Ideas for 2020

We’ve hit another coronavirus holiday – Halloween. For parents, Halloween is a tricky one because it tends to be one of the holidays kids look forward to the most. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we have to play it safe. Fortunately, playing it safe doesn’t mean missing out on the Halloween fun. I’ve put together this list of 13 safe Halloween ideas for 2020.

1. Stay Home and Be Festive

If your city or neighborhood has asked you not to trick or treat, you can still enjoy Halloween at home. Make it a night to remember. Bake Halloween-themed treats and have a Halloween movie marathon. Streaming channels, like Netflix and Disney Plus, both have Halloween collections.

2. Set Up a Trick or Treat Table

If you do want to have some traditional trick or treat fun, consider setting up a trick or treat table on your driveway. On the table, spread treats apart so children can grab them without touching other treats, digging in a candy bowl, or sharing germs with you. Just make sure you stand on the other side of the table 6 feet away.

3. Go on a Costume Parade

For many kids, the best part of Halloween is dressing up. If you are worried about trick or treating, take your kids on a costume parade through your neighborhood in the afternoon where they can wave at neighbors from a safe distance without getting treats.

4. Do Reverse Trick or Treating

Instead of going house to house to get treats, go reverse trick or treating. For example, “boo your neighborhoods” by taking them treats instead. Fill up goody bags and drop them off on doorsteps the morning of Halloween for a fun surprise.

5. Hunt for Candy

If you don’t want your kids to get candy from strangers, buy a big bag of candy for your family and set up a backyard scavenger hunt or play candy hide and seek.

6. Host a Small Outdoor Halloween Party

If you feel comfortable or have a pod you interact with, host a small outdoor Halloween party. Just skip bobbing for apples this year.

7. Participate in a Virtual Halloween Gathering

If someone in your family is high-risk or has been exposed, stay home and participate in a virtual Halloween gathering. Ask friends and family to join you for a Zoom Thriller Dance Party.

8. Carve a Pumpkin

A totally safe COVID-19 Halloween thing to do is carve or decorate a pumpkin. No matter your kid’s ages, they will enjoy this fun activity.

9. Enjoy Drive-Thru Events

Many local venues are hosting drive-thru trick or treat events, where families drive through to see people dressed up and receive candy.

10. Ride Along in a Halloween Car Parade

Remember at the start of quarantine how we celebrated birthdays with car parades? Ask your family and friends to do a Halloween car parade for your kids. Have your kids stand in the yard in their costumes while family and friends throw candy from their cars.

11. Hide Some Eggs

Use leftover plastic Easter eggs for a glow in the dark candy hunt. All you need are plastic eggs, finger lights, and candy.

12. Visit a Drive-Thru Haunted House

If you are feeling brave, visit a drive-thru haunted house or car wash. I think this would terrify my girls though!

13. Celebrate with Chuck E Cheese

Pick up a Chuck E Cheese Boo-tacular Family Party Package to celebrate all over again at home. The package includes:

Two large one-topping pizzas, a Boo-tacular Oreo® Brownie, two treat bags each including $5 in games to use on your next visit, as well as a free KIDZ BOP® Halloween activity sheet and glow in the dark temporary tattoos to enjoy at home for just $39.99.