A lot of things have changed in 2020 and though we never thought we’d go into Halloween concerned about masks (at least, not the kind of masks we usually associate with Halloween!) and social distancing, we’ve found ourselves wondering how to stay safe this Halloween. Luckily, most of the precautionary measures we’re already taking can still keep our families, loved ones, and ourselves safe. We’ve highlighted some ways your family can adapt these precautions to stay spooky safe on October 31!
Stick with Outdoor Events
Haunted houses may be a Halloween staple for you, but experts advise that staying outdoors where you can maintain at least six feet of distance between yourself and others is preferred. Unfortunately, most haunted houses don’t allow for this. But there are plenty of outdoor events to attend in North Texas that can help you stay safe this Halloween.
Where: Canton, Texas
Cost: $18.95 online or $24.95 at the gate. There are deals for group packages and super passes that you can review here.
Nothing says fall like a corn maze. Explore Yesterland Farm’s 3-acre maze as well as their 30 other activities and attractions. Their Spooktacular Nights begin October 2nd – October 31 and that’s when things get spooky! They encourage social distancing, offer hand-washing and sanitizing stations, and ask that guests wear face masks when social distancing is not possible.
Where: Cleburne, Texas
Cost: $19.95 for a weekend pass, but look online for special rates.
Called the Biggest Backyard in Texas, Mainstay Farm Park in Cleburne offers over 40 outdoor attractions on its grounds including a seasonal pumpkin patch, hayride, and more! With acres of activities spread throughout the farm, Mainstay requests visitors practice social distancing and other precautionary measures to protect their staff and guests.
Where: Midlothian, Texas
Cost: $10 per person, free for 2 and under or 55 and older, and $8 for veterans or first responders.
A $10 pass will get you a whole day of corn mazes, hay rides, pumpkin games, and more! The 10 acre park has a lot of fall festivities for every age group. The farm has adopted the “care+” mentality in response to COVID-19 and commits to providing hand sanitizing/washing stations, making sanitizing common areas a top priority, encouraging social distancing and mask wearing, and other precautions.
Where: Dallas, Texas
Cost: $12.00 – $17.00
If you’ve never experienced Autumn at the Arboretum, this is your chance! Every year the Dallas Arboretum highlights the “art of the pumpkin” with a festive display of more than 90,000 pumpkins, gourds, and squash. It’s a great photo opportunity for the Instagrammer in all of us! To avoid overcrowding, guests book a reservation for a four-hour time slot and masks are required for those aged five and up.
Follow the Guidelines of Your Community
Communities have been affected by COVID-19 in different ways, so to stay safe this Halloween make sure you adapt to what works in your area. If you’re not sure what that means, you can visit Halloween 2020, which provides a map created by the Harvard Global Health Institute to help families identify what kinds of activities may be safe for their area based on COVID-19 risk levels.
Keeping Following Standard Precautions
We’ve all followed the recommendations from the CDC like washing our hands regularly, social distancing, and wearing a mask when distancing isn’t possible. By following these suggestions, you can keep your Halloween safe. You may have to make some changes to your usual traditions, like a costume parade around the neighborhood instead of trick or treating, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a spooky safe Halloween!