Halloween has grown into one of the most popular holidays in the calendar year. It is estimated that over half of the country celebrates this spooky holiday. And although Halloween used to be seen as a kid’s holiday, in the past decade it has grown more and more popular with adults. Today nearly 75% of all young adults plan on dressing up and enjoying some scary fun with their friends.
If you love this annual spookfest but are not feeling comfortable with large group activities this year, don’t despair. There are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween virtually that will allow you to dress up, interact with friends and family and still keep a safe distance.
Online Escape Rooms
Escape rooms have exploded in popularity in the past few years. The combination of puzzle-solving and mystery along with the heightened stress of being locked in a room with a strict time limit to get out have made these rooms must-do activities for families and groups of friends. If you’re looking for the thrill of an escape room adventure but don’t relish the idea of being locked in a small space with a group, why not try an online escape room?
Online escape rooms operate under the same principle as their physical counterparts, but you will use a group platform like Zoom to gather together. You and a group of your choice will be given a mystery to solve with a time limit on your success. You will collect clues and solve puzzles to find your way out.
There are a variety of rooms to choose from, so you can find the perfect blend of scary for your group. If kids are involved, you can choose a mystery that is age-appropriate. If your party is all adults, there are room choices designed to terrify. Don’t forget to have everyone in your group dress up to suit the world of the escape room and use an appropriately creepy virtual background to help your fellow adventurers fully immerse in the experience.
Virtual Murder Mysteries
Virtual murder mysteries can be a great choice to gather together with friends and family while still maintaining your distance. You can allow a member of your group to host the party or you can search for virtual mysteries that are facilitated by an outside host. Murder mysteries are all about searching for clues and solving a mystery, and they require a lot of role-playing and character immersion. If you have a group of dramatically inclined friends, these mysteries can be a great way to spend Halloween together while remaining apart.
Virtual Halloween Parties
Just because you’re staying distanced is no reason not to have your annual Halloween party. Pick a theme and send out the invites!
Start off with a little trick or treating. There are a few ways you can treat your guests to some Halloween goodies. You can make up small packages containing goodies and themed gag gifts and mail them out to all your guests prior to the party with a note reminding them not to open them until you’re all together. You can also use Uber Eats or Door Dash to send them something sweet in real-time. Or you could give them virtual gifts such as gift cards that you send with the click of a button.
Play online games that fit into your theme. Many classic party games like charades and Heads Up are perfect to play virtually. You can pair your guests up and have a virtual scavenger hunt competition. You can even do a virtual haunted house tour together. And of course, you can use Netflix Party, Hulu Watch Party, or a service like Scener to group watch your favorite scary movies. If you are willing to think outside the box, you can have an epic party even from a distance.
People have learned recently that there are many ways to be together with those we love without being in the same room. Don’t let Halloween be any different. Gather the usual suspects and plan a Halloween get-together that will match any party you’ve had in the past.