Sustainable Halloween Activities to Do in 2020

Do ghosts socially distance?

Sorry, I had to.

Halloween is here!

I know, I know: “It’s literally felt like Halloween all year round, Will.”

But for many of us, Halloween is ironically the perfect antidote to a year that has definitely felt like a horror movie at times (except that it didn’t come with popcorn, grr).

In celebration of All Hallow’s Eve and everything spooky, NatureHub has decided to put together an article all about the best sustainable activities you and your family can indulge in this October 31. We’ve made sure that everything is pandemic-friendly, and we’ve also added a list of healthy treats for the kids, too!

Carve a pumpkin

Never carved a pumpkin before?

For many, pumpkin carving is what Halloween is all about. It’s a great way to get into the spirit of things, it brings out your creative side and you can do it in and around your house (no need to go outdoors!).

All you need is a pumpkin and a good knife.

Oh, and some ideas.

This is actually a really cool article for pumpkin carving ideas. My personal fav is number 6, the candy holder pumpkin.

Also, to ensure your pumpkins are carved as sustainably as possible, make sure to buy some locally grown organic pumpkins! And once you’re done, you can compost your creations.

Don’t forget to save the seeds you carve, too! You can add a pinch of salt and oil and roast them — perfect for soups, muffins and bread.

Plant a pumpkin

Carving a pumpkin is definitely fun — but so, too, is planting one!

To grow your own pumpkin this year, you can either use leftover seeds from the pumpkins you’ve carved, or you can buy fresh ones from the store.

All you then need is a roomy backyard.

That said, once the seeds have been sown, you will need to dedicate much time and effort to caring for your fledgling pumpkin. However, if you establish a routine, it shouldn’t be too long before your very own pumpkin springs up in your garden.

Go here to learn more about growing your own pumpkin.

Decorate your home sustainably

Maybe most years you don’t decorate your home for Halloween because you’re so focused on dressing up and heading outdoors. But since many of us are stuck inside this year, now’s the perfect time to decorate your crib.

Naturally, you want to be as sustainable as possible. For this reason, I recommend going with Halloween-themed decorations that are 100% natural and organic, such as gourds and pumpkins, as well as corn stalks and hay bales.

You could also create a lighting effect via LED lights, as well as some reusable plastic-free decorations.

Don't forget candles, too, as these are ideal for creating an especially spooky atmosphere in your home.

It’s a good idea to visit your local thrift store to see what they’ve got.

Make a healthy Halloween-themed dinner

One of the best things about Halloween (and fall in general) is that some of the most delicious food is in season, including pumpkins and squash.

And if you can’t get out and eat dinner at a restaurant this year, why not take those seasonal vegetables and cook something scarily scrumptious at home?

Here are a few healthy ideas:

Once again, don’t forget to source your ingredients sustainably by visiting a local farmer’s market or shopping for organic food.

Don’t forget to read our article all about dealing with food waste, too.

Oh, and if you carve one too many pumpkins? Just add them into your recipes!

Play games!

Even if you can’t go outside this year, you can still have fun playing lots of games at home.

For example, my personal favorite as a kid was ‘Frankenstein Bowling.’ And I realize now how sustainable this game is!

Basically, you take your old tin cans and paint over them with scary faces.

Then, you line the tins up in a V-formation (think ten-pin bowling), grab a tennis ball and — well, you know what happens next.

Another game you could try is the Marshmallow Toss Game, where participants have to toss mini marshmallows at paper cups, which you can, obviously, replace with regular cups.

And, of course, no Halloween party is surely complete without a ‘pin the tail’ game. To make yours especially creepy, how about you guys pin the tail on a witches cat? 🧙‍♀️

Watch scary movies

Watching scary movies at home is definitely pandemic-friendly. All you need is some snacks (more on this soon) and some movies.

Not sure which ones to go with?

There are SO many scary movies you could watch at this time of the year, and I’m sure everyone has their favorites. Your best bet is to ask your friends for recommendations or just carry out a Google search.

Here is an excellent resource for the best 30 horror movies currently on Netflix (updated for October 2020).

Personally, I’m going with Nightmare on Elm Street this year.

Yes, I will be hiding behind the sofa.

Also, if you fancy starting your evening with something a little different before the scary movies as a sort of warm-up, check out our list of movies all about healthy eating and sustainability.

Stock up on healthy Halloween snacks

If you’ve got kids and they’re not allowed to go trick or treating this year, you’ll still want to treat them to some healthy Halloween-themed snacks (because store-bought candy might be pretty bad for them).

And admit it, you want some for yourself, too.

There’s literally so much you can create this year. Here are some ideas:

Conclusion

Unfortunately, Halloween is going to be very different for all of us this year (including the ghosts). Just be safe, be scary and have lots of fun!

Don’t forget to let us know in the comments what you decide to get up to!

If you liked this article, make sure to check out these two: Parents, Here’s What You Need to Know About Candy and How to Upcycle Food Waste During the Holiday Season

Find even more sustainable tip on NatureHub!