Although celebrations may look a little different this year, there is no shortage of ideas and opportunities to make this season a special one. We’ve rounded up activities, crafts, and local 
events to get the whole family feeling festive. It’s a good year to try something new and maybe start a new tradition!
Want to highlight the best parts of the holiday for the kids? Start thinking like them! You can create moments throughout the month that bring the feeling of the season, which is the part they like best anyways (besides the candy of course).
At Home
Embrace the festivities that make the season, like pumpkin carving or decorating, or give this multi-sensory pumpkin seed exploration activity a try. All you need is a pumpkin and some inquisitive minds.
Wear those costumes, no need to save them for traditional trick or treating hours. Get dressed up and participate in a socially-distant costume parade or display them over Zoom. Then turn the evening into a dance party with this not-too spooky playlist.
Take a walk in the in the moonlight. There will be a full moon on Halloween this year! Fun fact: It will be the second full moon of the month which is called a Blue Moon.
Have a Candy Scavenger Hunt in your house, yard, or neighborhood.
Thank you to Tinkergarten for the activities and reminder to think like a kid!
Make a yummy snack together like these spooky monster mouth treats. You will need three ingredients: thick slices of red or green apples, peanut butter (or substitute like sunflower seed butter) and mini marshmallows.
- Spread the peanut butter on each apple slice.
- Stick the marshmallows in the peanut butter in a row like teeth
- Top with another slice, peanut butter side down.
You can also use cream cheese and raisins for the spread and teeth or get creative with what you have in the cupboards!
For more seasonal treats, check out Child Care Resource Center’s recipe roundup for all things pumpkin. We can’t wait to try our hand at the pumpkin muffins, frozen treats and even hummus. Click here for the delicious details.
Try these toddler-specific Halloween activities from Red Tricycle. Plan to try one on Halloween or make a week of it and try one every day. Ideas include: pumpkin bowling, with cleverly crafted toilet-paper rolls, print out templates for ghost, bat and cat game of hide-and-seek and more.
CSUSB is offering Halloween activity printables including carving template for Halloween activities here.
In The Community
San Bernardino County authorities are encouraging residents to practice an abundance of caution this year when choosing how to celebrate. To help, they have put together a guide for residents and suggestions on safe practices and fun alternatives. We’ve also put together local options for you and your family.
Victorville’s annual Trunk or Treat will be a drive-thru event this year at the San Bernardino County Fairgrounds at 4pm on October 29th. Stay tuned to the official Facebook page here for the most up to date information.
First 5 San Bernardino is hosting a Kinder Kit Drive-Thru on October 30th from 3 to 6 pm at the United Way. These Kinder Kits include 3 books, 1 pencil, 1 large eraser, 1 pack of crayons, 1 glue stick, 1 pair of scissors, 1 pencil box, coloring page and 1 kids clothing item
The city of Redlands is sponsoring a family-friendly “Flick or Treat” event on October 31st. This event is offering two fantastic opportunities, the Trick or Treat Trail from 4 to 6 pm and drive-in movie featuring the Nightmare Before Christmas starting at 7 pm. Registration is required for both portions of the evening. Attendance is limited, so make sure to check it out early!
However you and your family choose to celebrate, we wish you a very happy and safe Halloween!