Throw a Neighborhood Spookfest | A Spooky, Halloween Block Party

indianapolis halloween eventsLike everything the past few years, Halloween plans might shift as we continue to fight against the Coronavirus Pandemic. Trick-or-treating is a tradition beloved by so many families and children. Despite the fact that many communities are announcing trick or treat times, some might feel uncomfortable participating this year. Have no fear, Halloween isn’t canceled!

There is magic in the air on Halloween night, and your kids are going to have the best year yet. One of the many options for fun this year is a Spook-fest, otherwise known as a Halloween Block Party. I am in the process of planning a block party with my neighbors for this Halloween, and here are my tips and tricks for the best Halloween yet, packed with fun and memories with your kids.

Spooky Party Setup

We live on a cul-de-sac, which is the perfect setup for a socially distant block party, but you could easily use your front or back yard to set up the fun! First, come up with a few fun activities for the kids and set up various stations. Each family could host a different craft or activity, and offer it outside in the yard to encourage social distancing, while still maintaining a connection with each other. You could do pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, or even candy crafts created with different Halloween candies! Each family can host a part of the party in their yard, or you can block off the road and spread out if all the neighbors are joining in on the fun.

Don’t forget your Halloween décor! A few small decorations can really make it feel like a party, without breaking the bank. If you have trees, you could teepee them for a ghostly feel, but we all have a newfound appreciation for toilet paper, so that might be a fun game we leave in 2019! You can decorate with carved pumpkins, orange light bulbs in the outdoor fixtures, or whatever you want to set the mood for your neighborhood Spookfest.

Must-Have Festive Food and Candy

What’s Halloween without candy? Have no fear, the kids will have plenty of sweet treats at your block party. You can plan traditional candy bowls, and do a mini trick-or-treat among the neighbors, or you could offer alternative goodies, such as store-bought and individually wrapped Halloween treats.

Our neighborhood is participating in a chili cook-off, to balance the kid’s sugar high. We plan to offer a food table with everyone’s best chili recipe and all the fixings! Set out hand sanitizer, and use disposable tableware, as extra safety measures during this season. The local dollar store typically has disposable plates and silverware super cheap, as well as fun decorations.

Step it Up a Notch with S’mores!

If the candy isn’t enough, how about a s’mores station? Several neighbors have fire pits, and we plan to offer traveling smores, with different styles at each house to spice it up! Offer different types of chocolate, cookies, and even some fun flavored marshmallows for some added fun. My personal favorite combination is fudge striped cookies, Reese Peanut Butter Cups, and campfire jumbo marshmallows. If you haven’t tried this combo, it’s a must for your Spookfest s’mores station!

Add a Creepy Costume Contest

We have candy, games, s’mores, chili, and bonfires, but of course, we can’t forget the costumes! One of the best parts about Halloween is prepping and planning the perfect costume with your kids. This is the time of year where you can really encourage creativity and individuality. A costume is a must for your Halloween Spookfest, and you can even host a costume contest for a little friendly competition among the neighbors. Some fun category ideas would be the best family costume, scariest, most creative, etc. Have fun with it! The kids will never want to trick-or-treat again (and you will be the parent of the year!) hosting the ultimate Spookfest for you and all the neighbors.

Spooky Halloween Movie Night

After the kids have full bellies, and the night is winding down, the perfect way to wrap up the evening is a backyard movie. Our family loves watching, It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, each year, and we can’t wait to do it outdoor movie style. Bonus? It’s only $3.99 to rent on Vudu, so you don’t have to go shopping! Need any ideas on the perfect setup for an outdoor movie? Read all about our tips and tricks for how to create a backyard movie night.

Share the Spooky Fun on Social Media

The Spookiest time of the year is upon us, and the fun and memories are just starting. With these tips, you will have the best Spookfest in town, and create memories, and new traditions, for years to come. Get social with us, and share all of your spooky fun on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, by using the hashtag #playindy, so we can follow along on your Halloween festivities!

Looking for More Spooky Fun?

Check out our 20+ Ideas Celebrate Halloween During COVID.

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