Despite the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, children still want to participate in the Halloween tradition of trick or treating. There are various ways kids can get their candy fix this year, while minding social distancing and CDC guidelines.

The CDC has recommendations on how children can stay safe if they choose to do classic trick or treating. Both people handing out candy and trick or treaters should wear face masks that cover the mouth and nose. Children can decorate their face masks and find a way to incorporate it into their costumes, but the kind of mask that typically comes with a costume is not adequate. Everyone should wash or sanitize hands before giving out or collecting candy to avoid surface transmission of the virus, and, as always, people should try to keep six feet of distance between themselves and others.

Another similar, but safer, way children can trick or treat this year is trunk or treating. Usually, a practice in church parking lots, trunk or treating is done by parking cars in a lot, opening the trunk, and giving out candy to trick or treaters walking from car to car. This year, people can stand outside of cars, parked at least six feet apart, and have prepackaged bags of candy in the trunk, allowing for less contact between people and reducing risk.

For children and families who are at high risk of coronavirus complications, there is still a way to have fun on Halloween. Parents can mix an egg hunt and Halloween together, and hide candy around their house, yard or empty park for children to search and find. To add a scavenger hunt twist, there can be little clues for where each candy is hidden.

If these safety measures are followed while trick or treating on Halloween, children will not have to fear contracting the virus, just any ghosts or monsters out on the prowl.