A few ways people are getting creative during a COVID-19 Halloween

WASHINGTON (WJLA) — Halloween will look a lot different this year during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As many jurisdictions in the DMV prepare for what's going to be a very unusual Halloween, many locales are discouraging traditional Halloween activities in favor of more COVID-safe options.

7 On Your Side has compiled a list of restrictions in and around the D.C. area

Here are a few ways families in the DMV arefinding creative ways to continue to celebrate:

Halloween themed scavenger hunt:
Have a scavenger hunt in the backyard by hiding candy or Halloween-themed packages with candy inside.

Liz Norwood said "We are doing a scavenger hunt in our backyard with just our son. He's going to be a mailman for Halloween so I'm going to put packages all around the yard for him to find and put in his postal bag. We'll watch scary-ish movies and eat popcorn and candy for dinner."

Halloween party indoors:
Some families are choosing to stay indoors by throwing on Halloween pajamas, eating candy and watching Halloween movies. Of course, you can always carve and decorate pumpkins.

Trunk-or-Treat

Focus Family Martial Arts in Fairfax County will host a socially distanced trunk-or-treat. According to a post on Facebook, people will sign up for a time slot so there are not too many people at once.

Trick-or-Treat COVID style:
"We are going to set pre-bagged candy and hand sanitizer spread out on a table at the end of our driveway," said Rachel Hatcher McQuillen. "My kids will be wearing face masks and only stop at houses who already have candy outside."

Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
Stay safe inside by dressing up like you normally would and have a contest over Zoom or FaceTime. Ideas for winning categories are best all around, most creative, spookiest and funniest.

Build a candy chute
You've likely seen the viral posts on Facebookwhere people are building chutes to send candy down in a safe manner to those who participate in trick-or-treating. Neighbors across the nation are taking part.

Aimee in Arlington, Virginia says this is how they built theirs:

1. Purchase desired length of 3-inch diameter PVC pipe (ours is 2 10-foot sections coupled together); and a 3-inch diameter 45-degree elbow piece for the end
2. Help kids to spray paint pipe in desired color and allow to dry; then kids can further decorate as desired (we used paint markers from Michaels)
3. Use plastic pipe hanger strap to attach one end of pipe to porch and other end to stake in yard
4. (Optional) Have kids wrap pipe in lights