Halloween Fun and COVID Safe Activities

Celebrating Cultural Traditions During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Celebrations and maintaining our seasonal cultural traditions plays an important role in how we mark the passage of time.  During COVID, when we are so much more isolated, we can still find ways to celebrate.

Celebrations uplift and improve our well-being. One of the main reasons celebrating is so important is because it is a way to show our gratitude for what we have, instead of focusing on what we don’t have or only on what we want in the future.

Celebrations are a wonderful way to teach our children what we believe in. For example, when we incorporate nature and outdoor play into celebrations we let our family know that the natural world, and connecting with it, is important – as it is associated with the things we cherish the most.

Celebrations Indoors and outdoors spur joy and inspiration, and this helps kids learn. Celebrations include sweet delights, like food (baking Halloween cookies), music, games and fun, helping us hardcode an association with pleasure and joy and whatever we are celebrating. See below for some 2020 COVID Halloween indoor games and activities to enjoy with your family.

Celebrations Outdoors – when nature and play are incorporated into our celebrations, our children engage all the more in the rituals and celebrations. Celebrations outdoors help our children learn to value the importance our culture places on the connection with the outdoors. See below for some ideas for outdoor family-friendly Halloween events/activities.

HIKING AND NATURE WALKS:

12  Kid friendly Nature Walks Around Milwaukee

https://www.mkewithkids.com/post/12-gorgeous-hikes-for-kids-around-milwaukee 

https://milwaukeemom.com/around-milwaukee/family-fun/best_family_freindly_hiking_trails_milwaukee_area/

Schlitz Audubon Nature Center.

Mequon Nature Preserve.

Wehr Nature Center.

Doctor’s Park. Hubbard Park

Friends of Retzer Nature Center’s Scarecrow Lane 

September 21 – October 31, 2020 Open Daily, Sunrise to 10 p.m. Free 

Halloween Glow at the Racine Zoo (Drive-Through)

Wednesday through Saturday, Oct. 7 – Nov. 1 from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

$5 per person at the gate

“Show Us Your Pumpkin Pavilion” in Bay View (Drive-By, Free!)

The Great Pumpkin Festival in Whitefish Bay (Outdoors, Walk-Through)

October 28 to 31, 2020 – Old School House Park (5240 N. Marlborough)

Pumpkin Decorating Fest (Outdoor)

Various dates & times at Little Sprouts in Shorewood & Mequon

The Domes (Milwaukee Mitchell Park) – Virtual Celebration

Day of the Dead Virtual Celebration from the Domes

HALLOWEEN SONGS FOR KIDS (Free Live music)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35N1z4fw6wI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZqR0elEZ84

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IaVIiNnVhZk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwkGZlAXwPM

https://www.livexlive.com/station/kids-halloween

HALLOWEEN SAFETY TIPS FOR KIDS AND PETS:

Visibility:

• Use flashlights
• Reflective tape (for example: neon duct tape)
• Wear bright colors
• Use well-lit streets

Safety in Numbers

• Go together as a family.
• Stay together
• Accompany all the way to the door (if walk through)

Traffic Flow

• Be aware of traffic lights
• Follow traffic flow

Candy Check

• Always check your child’s bag and candy before eating it
• Make sure trick or treat candy is sealed and wrapped

Halloween Safety Tips For Pets

• Keep candy and chocolates away from pets
• Chocolate, gum and other ingredients in candy are toxic to pets

Dr. Isabela Sardas, Ph.D

Dr. Sardas is a Wisconsin-licensed clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience in the treatment of childhood and adolescent psychiatric disorders using a cognitive-behavioral, multicultural and psychodynamic perspective. She obtained her training in psychology from The Cambridge Hospital-Harvard Medical School, The University of North Texas, and The University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Sardas is the recipient of the 2010 Wisconsin SBA District Director’s Award, Marquette University’s Counseling Department Human Services Partner Award, and Wisconsin Association of Child and Youth Care Professionals Dedication Award . She is a long-standing member of the American Psychological Association and National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology. Dr. Sardas is also a Certified Child Abuse Response Specialist.  For the past 20 years, she was the Founder and Clinical Director of a child and adolescent mental health day treatment and outpatient center in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.. Prior to this, Dr. Sardas worked in various treatment settings, including hospital-based inpatient and outpatient centers. Having many years of counseling experience, Dr. Sardas has worked with children, adolescents and adults on numerous psychological disorders including mood, anxiety and trauma-related problems.  She has previous clinical experience treating individuals with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, trauma (PTSD), developmental disabilities, ADHD/executive function problems, and family issues.  Dr. Sardas utilizes a variety of therapeutic techniques in establishing a trusting therapeutic relationship and helping clients achieve their treatment goals. Dr. Sardas understands that everyone has strengths and everyone faces difficulties.  That’s what she appreciates about working with children, teens and their families.  She helps people identify their strengths and world views, she collaborates with them to develop strategies to address their challenges and provide personal encouragement to gain the traction needed to get started.