How to celebrate Halloween in lock down - it’s time to go old school!

Just because Trick-or-Treating is out doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate Halloween, so here’s a few ideas on how to get your spook on!

‘Trick or Treat Around the World’

This Halloween, ancient Irish Druids, Warlocks and Witches will be taking over EPIC Museum to bring back the Celtic festival of Samhain - and they want your class to join in the fun! This workshop is designed for Primary School level. Contact groups@epicchq.com to find out more or make a booking.

Virtual Costume Party

Dressing up is one is one of the best things about Halloween after all! Think fake blood and face paint, albeit over Zoom or Skype. Get online with your friends and family and challenge them to get involved too. The kids will enjoy it too and it will give them a chance to show off in costumes to the grandparents.

Temple Street Children's Hospital are also asking people to host a virtual Trick or Treat Part to raise vital funds for sick children. Go to Host a Virtual Party for Temple Street this year to find out more

Spooky Candy Hunt

Just because we can’t go trick or treating doesn’t mean we have to miss out! Set up a candy hunt around the house or in the back garden. It will give the kids a chance to fill up their buckets! Make it spooky - dim the lights, hang some fake cobwebs, add a few bowls of fake guts (spaghetti and red food colouring) and hey presto! You could rope the kids into baking some fun Halloween treats including Halloween-themed cookies. Carved pumpkins are a must!

Scary Movie Marathon

Set up a home cinema night. Get the popcorn ready and huddle under some blankets and watch your favourite scary movies. Need inspiration? Hocus Pocus, Halloween Town, The Addams Family are films all the family can enjoy . For the adults check out The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, or the 2018 Halloween sequel on Netflix. Click on the link for a list of child friendly Halloween movies:

Ghost stories and traditions

Everybody knows a good ghost story or two - get creative! Halloween originated in Ireland with the celebration of Samhain which marked the end of the summer and the beginning of winter. Pumpkins, or Jack o’ Lanterns as they were called, were once carved from turnips! Eating barmbrack was all part of the celebration which traditionally saw a piece of rag, a ring and a coin placed in the cake.

Bat walk

If you want something a little different, get outside for a walk at dusk and catch a glimpse of the mammals that inspired Dracula! But you have to be quick, they’re very fast in flight!