7 Eco-Halloween Tips
(Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash)
We hope this fall is starting to ease your pandemic woes, as things start to look a little more “normal.” Maybe you’re seeing friends and family more often, kids are back in school, and you’re ready to celebrate - kind of.
During the pandemic one thing was clear - that we need to prioritize the planet in everything we do. So we’ve got 7 easy, eco-friendly tips for an Earth-harmony Halloween.
1. Keep it simple
Remember that Halloween is not about perfection. We all have fun because we’re enjoying time together. Keep your own stress level down by keeping it simple in everything you do.
2. Costume exchange or make your own
Does your family have a box of old costumes? Let’s get those out and have a costume exchange with your classmates, neighbors, pod or even just one other family. Let the kids have fun swapping costumes. Or make your own costume with items you have around the house. Use your creativity and order our new In Disguise Art Box with costume activities: natural face paint, design a costume with fabric, and make an eco-costume accessory.
3. Reusable trick-or-treat bag
It’s simple to use a pillow case as a trick-or-treat bag. Or look around the house for other options - a basket, a reusable bag, a gift bag, or make your own from a t-shirt.
4. Celebrate close to home
Instead of frantically driving all over town, celebrate at home and invite a few friends over. You can make it easier on yourself and the environment by making it a potluck, asking friends to bring their own plates/cups/utensils/cloth napkins, provide a dish washing station (kids will love helping if it’s at their level), and have the kids make simple games by reusing cardboard boxes and giving out repurposed toys as game prizes.
5. Repurposed game prizes
You know all those little give-away toys your kids have lying around? They make great prizes for Halloween carnival games. It’s such a teachable moment to have kids choose to give away things they no longer need, as a way to help the Earth.
6. Hand out eco-friendly treats
A lot of traditional Halloween candy is made by companies that don’t prioritize the Earth. So choose other options such as seed packets, art supplies, reusable kids books, or fair-trade organic chocolates.
7. Grow your own pumpkins
Instead of buying pumpkins, grow your own. It’s so fun for kids to take part in the process and watch the pumpkins grow inch by inch! If you didn’t get seeds or starts into the ground in time, visit a local organic farm or farmers market and purchase pumpkins locally.