Virtual tours to murder mysteries: Seven COVID-safe ways to have fun this Halloween

At the moment, Halloween is still a go in Greater Sudbury.

But if you’ve decided not to partake in the traditional festivities this year, Sudbury.com has come up with a list of ways you can still have fun this Halloween without leaving the house.

Take a virtual tour of Transylvania

A Romanian tour guide will bring you on a virtual tour presentation of Romania's most mysterious region, Transylvania. Explore the myths and legends deeply rooted in the origin of this place and its people. Click here to register for the Zoom link.

 

Host your own virtual Halloween party

Invite friends and family to showcase their best costumes and play games through a video conference site. Sudbury writer Jeremy Dunton wrote and narrated a spooky story in honour of the season. Check it and more virtual party ideas at FreeConference.com. 

 

Play a virtual ‘Who done it?’

Remember the Murder Mystery party game from the 80s and 90s? Why not resurrect an old kit and cast your friends and family to play along, virtually of course! Everyone can dress the part and decorate the background to match their character. Let the interrogations begin.  

 

Turn out the lights and have a family movie night with your bubble

 

Have a good ol’ family game night

Why not spend time together playing a board game? Let mom and dad try their hand at Fortnite or Five Nights at Freddy’s. Play some classic challenges like bobbing for apples in the bathtub or pin the tail on the black cat.

 

Spookfest at the drive-in

Horizon Drive-In is hosting a classic outdoor movie experience in the New Sudbury Centre parking lot on Oct. 31. Parking is first come first serve in the designated parking areas. There will be cash/debit concessions on site as well as an express pickup line for those who pre-purchase concessions online.

7 p.m. The Nightmare before Christmas
10 p.m. Ghostbusters
12:30 a.m. (Nov 1) Friday the 13th
Click here for tickets. 

 

Neighbourhood Halloween bingo/scavenger hunt

Have everyone in your household create their own bingo card with words (or drawings) of common Halloween items (examples: a witch hat, spider web, pumpkin, dog in costume, etc.) Then go for a walk around the neighbourhood in search of those items. First family member to fill two lines wins!

While it is safest to stay home, if you choose to go door-to-door or hand out treats at home, Public Health Sudbury & Districts is reminding residents to celebrate in a COVID-safe way:

• Do not trick-or-treat or hand out treats if you are sick.
• Only trick-or-treat with members of your household.
• Trick-or-treat outside and keep distance from people outside your household.
• Wear a face covering when going door-to-door or handing out candy. Remember, a costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering.
• Do not congregate or linger at doorsteps. Stand two metres apart if waiting.
• Stay near your door when handing out candy so ghosts and goblins can avoid high-touch surfaces and objects like door handles and doorbells.
• Do not leave treats in a bucket or bowl for everyone to grab. Consider using tongs, long spoons, or other similar tools to hand out treats, or set up a table with pre-bagged treats to keep distance from trick-or-treaters.
• Wash your hands often and thoroughly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Respect people by staying away from homes if the lights are out.
• Consider printing a poster to help let your neighbours know if you are handing out treats.
   

Limiting contacts and in-person interactions reduces the risk of spreading COVID-19. While non-essential gatherings should be limited, if you choose to host or attend a Halloween gathering, keep in mind the following tips:

• Limit close contact to members of your household.
• Keep gatherings small. Although private gatherings of up to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors are allowed under provincial legislation, non-essential gatherings of any size should be limited. Stick with members of your household for indoor activities.
• Keep two metres distance between people outside of your household and wear a face covering if distancing is not possible.
• Do not attend a gathering if you have any symptoms or if you are self-isolating.
• Keep a guest list in case it is needed for contact tracing.

If food or drinks are served:

• Avoid buffet-style food service and plan how to physically distance while distributing and cleaning up food.
• Serve food on individual plates to prevent guests from passing and touching the same objects.
• Have everyone wash their hands before and after eating.

Consider participating in virtual events or not attending at all, especially if you are 70 years or older, are immunocompromised, or have underlying medical conditions.