With Niagara currently in Stage 3, trick-or-treating is permitted this Saturday evening, but with restrictions. So if COVID-19 has spooked your family from its traditional door-knocking costumed adventures, here are some guidelines and alternative activities.
Parents and kids going door to door must follow the safety guidelines set forth by the Ontario government. For those who would rather opt out this year, there are alternative options.
Halloween can still be fun in 2020. To help everyone stay safe and celebrate, Niagara Info presents the proper protocols, as well as, an amalgamation of local events that are great trick-or-treating substitues.
Halloween 2020 trick-or-treating safety protocols
Trick-or-treating is allowed in West Niagara this year however, parents and kids trekking out must adhere to the following safety guidelines set forth by the Ontario government:
- Parents and kids should only trick-or-treat with members of their household
- Trick-or-treating must be conducted outside
- Both trick-or-treaters and residents handing out candy should wear a face covering — a costume mask is not a substitute and should not be worn over a face covering because it may make it difficult to breathe
- Trick-or-treaters should not linger at doorsteps. If there are is a large group of people at the same house at the same time they should line up two metres apart
- Parents and kids should avoid high-touch surfaces and objects, such as railings and doorbells
- Everyone should wash their hands often and thoroughly and use hand sanitizer
- Anyone giving out treats should not leave them in a bucket or bowl for children to grab. Tongs or similar hand tools are an option.
Posters have been created by the Ontario government and are offered to all homeowners. Anyone can print and post a flyer to let trick-or-treaters know if they are participating or not. Print and post a “Welcome Trick-or-Treaters” sign or a “Sorry See You Next Year” sign.
Creative ways safely hand out candy
Many residents have been sharing their innovative ways to keep Halloween safe and fun for everyone in online public forums. Town of Lincoln Councillor Adam Russell posted one clever suggestion in one community group on Facebook.
“For those giving out candy this year, here is an idea to keep things moving, but with safety in mind,” said Russell. “Set up a small table and place your candy in small piles (for each child). When kids come up, ask them to take a portion. When they leave, fill each section back up. It should help with social distancing.”
Some residents have made goodie bags that they plan to leave on a table for trick-or-treaters. Other homes have installed creative candy tubes that they plan to shoot treats down. Many families have also decide to do scavenger hunts around their yard as an alternative.
Halloween events in West Niagara
If trick-or-treating is too spooky this year, there are other ways to celebrate.
Some families have replaced the annual traditional with a Halloween cake decorating workshop led by Creative Bug in Beamsville. Other residents have opted to join the Beamsville Historical Cemetery Walk. Unfortunately, these two events have recently sold, but below are two events in the area that anyone can still join.
Treats-R-Us at Toys R Us Stoney Creek
Nestle has partnered with Toys R Us this year to provide a safe alternative to trick-or-treating for kids. Families can visit Toys R Us in Stoney Creek, located at 540 Cetennial Parkway N, from 11 a.m. -5 p.m., to partake in many safe Halloween activities with prizes, costumes and chocolate. The event includes a scavenger hunt.
Trick or treat at The Forty Public House
The Forty Public House in Grimsby and its sister restaurants The Office Tap and Grill and The Grantham House, both in St. Catharines, are offering treat bags to kids in costumes that come in between noon and 8 p.m. on Saturday Oct. 31. Kids also eat free. Reservations are recommended.
St. Catharines’ Code Ninjas
On Halloween afternoon, Saturday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., St. Catharines’ Code Ninjas will be bringing trick-or-treating from the streets to the screens. Kids in the Niagara Region, and across Canada, can enjoy a safer way to celebrate, collecting virtual candy by playing video games.
Code Ninjas is the world’s largest and fastest-growing kids coding franchise, with hundreds of locations in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom. The company already hosted a virtual Easter Egg Hunt in the Spring with over 1500 participants. Its looking for an even bigger success with their Halloween event.
Using the video game Roblox, they have created a private server that will allow participants to head to a haunted house, walk through a cemetery, and follow clues to find virtual candy.
For all the information read the full article here: Virtual trick or treating offers safer Halloween fun.