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Monterey Bay Parent » fall

Halloween & Fall Events for 2026 in Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties

By Monterey Bay Staff | August 29, 2026

Halloween & Fall Events for 2026 in Monterey & Santa Cruz Counties

Fall festivals, family fun, and Halloween events for a fall season filled with good times on the Central Coast of California. As new events come in and are verified, we will add them, so check back frequently. Here is our round up of verified 2026 Halloween and fall events for Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties.


Upcoming Fall & Halloween Events in Monterey Bay

Thriller Dance Classes

Free, drop-in classes taught by volunteer instructors with previous zombie experience. Open to all ages and abilities.

WHEN: Saturdays through October 10, 10:00 AM–12:30 PM
WHERE: London Nelson Community Center, Santa Cruz
INFO

California Renaissance Faire

The streets and stages are filled with music and dance, plus a petting zoo and other children’s activities. Food, crafts, shows, and more. Kids 12 and under are free every weekend.

WHEN: Weekends through October 25
WHERE: 10031 Pacheco Pass, Hollister
INFO

The Great Big BOO at Gilroy Gardens

Put on your costumes and enter BOO Alley for a fully immersive Halloween adventure. Meet funny characters, sing and dance at the live musical, and trick-or-treat along the BOO Trail.

WHEN: Through November 1
WHERE: Gilroy Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Hwy., Gilroy
INFO

Downtown Boulder Creek Treat Walk

Artists and merchants will be handing out candy and treats to the kiddos. Although you are welcome to break out your Halloween costume early, it is not required.

WHEN: October 2, 5:00–8:00 PM
WHERE: Downtown Boulder Creek
INFO

Night Market 831 Halloween Invasion

Free community gathering with costume contest, food, art, music, and fun.

WHEN: October 2, 5:00–9:00 PM
WHERE: Sand City Art Park
INFO

Cypress Church Fall Festival

A day of carnival games, bounce houses, food, annual Creative Showcase, fellowship, and an opportunity to dunk the pastors on staff.

WHEN: October 3, 10:00 AM
WHERE: Cypress Church, Salinas
INFO

Downtown Santa Cruz Harvest Festival

Games, fall produce, food, crafts, music, and more.

WHEN: October 3, 12:00–4:00 PM
WHERE: Parking Lot 16 & Church Street, Santa Cruz
INFO

Mad Science at the Library in Salinas

Get ready for some spooky science and create new experiments every week.

WHEN: October 6, 13, 20 & 27, 3:30–4:30 PM
WHERE: El Gabilan Library, Salinas
INFO

Spooky Sensory Storytime

A cozy morning designed with sensory needs in mind. Families can enjoy hands-on sensory activities, an inclusive storytime, and community connection.

WHEN: October 7, 10:30 AM
WHERE: Olivia and Daisy Bookstore, Carmel Valley
INFO

Dads Read October

Halloween costume exchange. Other activities include gymnastics, rock painting, clothing exchange, and trunk or treat.

WHEN: October 10, 10 AM–12 PM
WHERE: Marina Branch Library, Marina
INFO

Tractor or Treat

Kids and families will enjoy trick-or-treating around the farm, fall crafts, drive a tractor, enjoy a hay wagon ride around the fairgrounds and more.

WHEN: October 10, 11 AM–3 PM
WHERE: Agriculture History Project, Watsonville
INFO

Thomas & Percy’s Halloween Party

Take a 25-minute train ride with Thomas and Percy. Enjoy family activities, costumes, and more.

WHEN: October 10–11, 17–18, 24–25
WHERE: Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton
INFO

Pumpkin Decorating Bonanza

Kids and adults alike will sit down to celebrate the harvest season, the coming holidays and the joy of playing with food. Rodoni pumpkins of all shapes and sizes will be dressed up with veggies, string, pipe cleaners, buttons, and googly eyes.

WHEN: October 13, 2–5 PM
WHERE: Felton Farmers’ Market, Russell Avenue, Felton
INFO

Harvest Festival

Dog costume contest, music, and food.

WHEN: October 17, 11 AM–2 PM
WHERE: Pacchetti Dog Park, Seaside
INFO

Heritage Harvest Festival

Enjoy living history demonstrations, crafts, games, live music, food and more. Taste history during the Heritage Apple Tasting.

WHEN: October 17, 11 AM–4 PM
WHERE: Wilder Ranch State Park, Santa Cruz
INFO

Haunted House and Mask Making Festival

A creative day of mask making, Halloween carnival games, frightening photo booth, Thriller performance plus special theatrical performances in the auditorium. Free event.

WHEN: October 17, 12–4:30 PM
WHERE: London Nelson Community Center, Santa Cruz
INFO

Pumpkin Plunge

Free admission includes swimming, crafts, games, and more; $7 to plunge for a pumpkin.

WHEN: October 17, 1–3 PM
WHERE: Patullo Swim Center, 1148 Wheeler Street, Seaside

Floating Pumpkin Patch

The Santa Cruz County Parks Department hosts the event and allows people to swim and dive for pumpkins, which they can then decorate at a station with crafts.

WHEN: October 18, 1–4 PM
WHERE: Simkins Swim Center, Santa Cruz
INFO

City of Monterey Trunk or Treat

Trick or treat with area non-profits and other city partners. Be sure to stop by and say hi to the team from Monterey Bay Parent!

WHEN: October 17, 5–6:30 PM
WHERE: Pacific Street between Madison & Jefferson, Downtown Monterey
INFO

City of Monterey Movie on the Lawn

Enjoy the movie Scooby-Doo on the Colton Hall lawn following the city’s Trunk or Treat event.

WHEN: October 17, 6:30 PM
WHERE: Colton Hall, Pacific Street, Monterey
INFO

City of Greenfield Harvest Festival

Enjoy food, live music, a car show featuring classic cars & modern cars, and more.

WHEN: October 18, 12:00–6:30 PM
WHERE: Downtown Greenfield
INFO

13 Days of Halloween on the Wharf

Pumpkin Bingo Hunt, Thriller dance, photo booths, and festive Wharf specials.

WHEN: October 19–31
WHERE: Santa Cruz Wharf, 21 Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz
INFO

Trunk or Treat at Northridge Mall

Resource Fair, treats, games, costume contest and more. Held in the parking lot near Panera Bread.

WHEN: October 23, 4–7 PM
WHERE: Northridge Mall parking lot, Salinas
INFO

Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Trunk or Treat

Join the county Sheriff’s Department for their annual Trunk or Treat event. Decorated trunks, candy, games, food vendors and more. Free parking and shuttle service will be provided at the Capitola Mall.

WHEN: October 23, 5–8 PM
WHERE: Shuttle pick-up point is Capitola Mall
INFO

Party at the Monsterey Boo Ascaryum

Come show off your costume, and experience the Aquarium at night, dance to spine-tingling tunes, and trick-or-treat yourself to Halloween-themed desserts available for purchase at the cafe along with savory meals, coffee, beer, and wine. Halloween event tickets are required for admission for members and their guests. No general admission tickets sold.

WHEN: October 23 & 24, 7–10 PM
WHERE: Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey
INFO

Downtown Pacific Grove Trick-or-Treat

Candy, music, giveaways, and safety zone activities. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

WHEN: October 24, 10 AM–2 PM
WHERE: Lighthouse Avenue, Downtown Pacific Grove
INFO

Carmel’s Annual Pumpkin Roll

Pumpkins roll down Ocean Avenue in a fun community tradition.

WHEN: October 24, 11 AM–1 PM
WHERE: Ocean Avenue (Santa Rita to Junipero Streets), Carmel
INFO

All Saints Day School Fall Festival

Rides, food trucks, games, music, and entertainment to celebrate fall.

WHEN: October 24, 11 AM–3 PM
WHERE: All Saints Day School, 8060 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel Valley
INFO

Special Kids Connect Halloween Carnival

Created specifically for special needs families, this carnival-style event includes games, crafts, face painting, and more. Costumes are optional, and each child will receive a pumpkin tote for collecting prizes and giveaways.

WHEN: October 24, 11 AM–1 PM
WHERE: Monterey County Fairgrounds, Monterey
INFO

Santa Cruz Día de los Muertos

Celebrate and honor Latino cultural heritage through musical and dance performances by Senderos. Throughout the day, there will be hands-on activities and live music. Explore the MAH to view beautifully crafted altars known as altares, or ofrendas, created by community organizations.

WHEN: October 24, 12:00–3:00 PM
WHERE: Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History, Front Street, Santa Cruz
INFO

Calvary Kids Fall Festival

The church parking lot will be filled with families and people of all ages enjoying carnival games, festive food, inflatables, costume contests and sack races.

WHEN: October 24, 12–3:00 PM
WHERE: Calvary Community Church, Monterey
INFO

Shoreline Fall Family Festival

Games, trunk-or-treat, crafts, food trucks, and inflatables. Costumes encouraged.

WHEN: October 24, 2–4 PM
WHERE: Shoreline Church, 2500 Garden Road, Monterey
INFO

Halloween on Lighthouse

Dress up the kids, get in the spirit, and come on down with your family to enjoy a fun and safe time in the community. Rain or shine. All businesses handing out candy will be located on Lighthouse Avenue in New Monterey between Reeside and David and will have a Lighthouse Halloween poster displayed in the window.

WHEN: October 24, 2–5 PM
WHERE: Lighthouse Avenue, Monterey
INFO

Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade & Costume Contest

Get ready for Carmel’s most paws-itively fun Halloween tradition. Bring your four-legged friends to strut their stuff in the Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade at Carmel Plaza. Dress them up in their spookiest, silliest, or most creative costumes and join the fun.

WHEN: October 24, 2–5 PM
WHERE: Carmel Plaza, Carmel
INFO

Presidio of Monterey’s Trunk or Treat

Trunk decorating contests, candy, and games for the kids.

WHEN: October 24, 3:00–6:00 PM
WHERE: General Stillwell Community Center, Seaside
INFO

Salinas Valley Community Church Fall Festival

Bring your family and friends for an afternoon packed with games, prizes, snacks, farm animals, bounce houses, and a fan-favorite costume contest.

WHEN: October 24, 4:00–7:00 PM
WHERE: 368 San Juan Grade Road, Salinas
INFO

Watsonville’s Downtown Candy Crawl

Costume parade and trick-or-treating downtown. Open to ages 13 and under.

WHEN: October 24, 4–6 PM
WHERE: City Plaza, Watsonville
INFO

Compass Church Fall Festival

Enjoy candy and treats, games & inflatables, live music, and food trucks.

WHEN: October 25, 10 AM–2:00 PM
WHERE: Compass Church, Compass Church

1044 S. Main St., Salinas, CA 93901
INFO

Pebble Beach Zombie Run & Emergency Preparedness Fair

Choose the 5K Zombie Crawl or 2K Survivor Stroll, then enjoy tacos, fire engine tours, and preparedness displays.

WHEN: October 24, 9 AM–12 PM
WHERE: 4005 Sunridge Road, Pebble Beach
INFO

Día de los Muertos at Monterey Sports Center

A free community celebration of remembrance, culture, music, and tradition with Aztec dancers, costume contest, mariachi band, face painting, folklorico dancers, Mexican bread and hot chocolate.

WHEN: October 25, 5–8 PM
WHERE: Monterey Sports Center, 301 E. Franklin St., Monterey
INFO

Trick-or-Treat The Row Halloween Family Festival

Pumpkin decorating, live music, trick-or-treating, and more.

WHEN: October 27, 10 AM–12 PM
WHERE: 377 Santana Row, San Jose
INFO

Haunted Library

The Joe Rock Children’s Room will turn into the Haunted Library. Be sure to wear your costume.

WHEN: October 29, 3:30–5:30 PM
WHERE: Pacific Grove Public Library
INFO

DIY Decorate a Witch Hat

Fun Halloween craft open to all ages.

WHEN: October 29, 4–5 PM
WHERE: Harrison Library, Carmel
INFO

Halloween Storytime and Parade

Boo! Join us for a special spooky Halloween Storytime on the Colton Hall Lawn. Be sure to wear your favorite costumes, we will be parading around the lawn after some stories!

WHEN: October 30, 10:15 AM
WHERE: Colton Hall lawn, Monterey
INFO

Carmel-by-the-Sea Birthday Party and Parade

The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea was incorporated on Halloween in 1916, so it celebrates its birthday and the country’s favorite costume-and-candy holiday with a Halloween Parade at 4 pm through downtown in which all are welcome to participate or spectate. City dignitaries, VIPs, costumed dogs and kids, and residents and visitors alike gather for this upbeat annual affair. Following the parade, the village’s charming shops will be open for trick-or-treating and other fun fall festivities.

WHEN: October 30, 4–6 PM
WHERE: Ocean Avenue & San Carlos Street, Carmel-by-the-Sea
INFO

Seaside Halloween Bonanza

The event will feature games, a haunted house, activities, interactive crafts, treat bags and refreshments. A children’s costume contest will be held and prizes will be awarded for best costume. It is free to all children up to the age of ten years old. The first 300 people get a spooky filled Halloween bag.

WHEN: October 30, 6–9 PM
WHERE: Oldemeyer Center, Seaside
INFO

Spooky Science Saturday

Meet live animals, take home a creepy craft, and more. Free.

WHEN: October 31, 10 AM–3 PM
WHERE: Pacific Grove Museum of Natural History, 165 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove
INFO

Downtown Salinas Trick or Treat

Bring your kids for this family friendly event and enjoy the ease of trick or treating at your local businesses. Costume contests for kids and adults, pumpkin decorating, and scavenger hunt.

WHEN: October 31, 11 AM–2 PM
WHERE: Downtown Salinas (100–300 blocks)
INFO

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk: Halloween

Celebrate Halloween with trick-or-treating, a costume contest, and spooktacular Boardwalk fun.

WHEN: October 31, 12:00–7:00 PM
WHERE: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz
INFO

North County Recreation Halloween Fun Day

Trunk or Treat, jump house, fun games, haunted house, and kids’ costume contest.

WHEN: October 31, 1–5 PM
WHERE: North County Recreation Center, 11261 Crane Street, Castroville
INFO

Safe Trick or Treating and Pumpkin Market

Kids come in costume for free trick or treating, community booths, Halloween activities, vendors, and more.

WHEN: October 31, 3–7 PM
WHERE: Downtown Morgan Hill
INFO

Halloween on the Wharf

Trick-or-treating at participating merchants. DJ for entertainment plus costume contest.

WHEN: October 31, 4–7 PM
WHERE: Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey
INFO

King City Trunk or Treat

Costume contest, fun prizes, and food vendors onsite. Sponsored by the King City Recreation Dept.

WHEN: October 31, 4:30–6:00 PM
WHERE: Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, King City
INFO

Malloween at Northridge Mall

Trick-or-treating, spooky science show, costume contest, and character meet-and-greets.

WHEN: October 31, 4–8 PM
WHERE: Northridge Mall, 796 Northridge Drive, Salinas
INFO

Santa Cruz Harbor: Trick-or-Treat

Experience a “spooktacular” evening of trick-or-treating at Santa Cruz Harbor! Wind your way through an eerie adventure, jump aboard the pirate-commandeered water taxi, and collect Halloween treats along the way.

WHEN: October 31, 4–8 PM
WHERE: Santa Cruz Harbor, 135 5th Avenue, Santa Cruz
INFO

Trunk or Treat at First Baptist Church in Salinas

A safe, family-friendly evening for the whole community.

WHEN: October 31, 6–8 PM
WHERE: 1130 San Vicente Ave., Salinas
INFO

Día de los Muertos Celebration at Santana Row

This is a free community event featuring face painting, Catrina and Catrin meet & greets, mariachi music, crafts, and a pop-up market.

WHEN: November 1, 10:30 AM–6:00 PM
WHERE: 377 Santana Row, San Jose
INFO

Watsonville Plaza: Día de los Muertos

See community altars and live/dead performances. There will be family activities and a market of the dead. Celebrate this beautiful tradition featuring altars, live music and dance and hands-on activities.

WHEN: November 1, 4–9 PM
WHERE: Callaghan Park, 225 Sudden Street, Watsonville
INFO

Filed Under: Halloween Tagged With: fall, Fall Festival, Halloween, Monterey, Santa Cruz

Watsonville Apple Picking

By Monterey Bay Staff | August 23, 2024

Apple picking is a perfect activity for fall fun but hurry, the season ends in later October/early November.

Be sure to call ahead to make sure orchards are open and to find out what varieties of apples you can expect on your visit.

CLEARVIEW ORGANIC ORCHARDS

Clearview Orchards produces the finest CCOF certified organic apples. Whether you want to pick your own apples or simply pick up some organic fruit from the Apple Barn to take home, Clearview Orchards is perfect for family outings.

  • 646 Trabing Road, Watsonville, 95076 • 831 245-3854
  • Open every Saturday and Sunday through November 1 from 10 am to 4 pm.

GIZDICH RANCH

Gizdich Ranch is closed for the season for apple picking but you can purchase apples at the orchard. Also, families are welcome to picnic under the apple trees.

  • 55 Peckham Road, Watsonville, 95076 • 831-722-1056
  • Open 9 am-5 pm, apple picking is Thursday through Sunday

LUZ DEL VALLE RANCH

The U-Pick season starts on Labor Day and features tasty Galas. These are followed by the Fujis which begin to ripen the first week of October. Harvesting your own apples is a fun and affordable family outing.  There are two-hour time slots and the number of people in the orchard is limited so you and your family are naturally socially distanced.

  • 1875 Hames Rd, Aptos, CA 95003
  • (831) 421-1932
  • https://luzdelvalle.us

Once you’ve picked your apples, you can help the kids make Apple Rings or Inside Out Caramel Apples with their haul.

INSIDE-OUT CARAMEL APPLES Makes 15-18 slices

Ingredients: 3 Granny Smith (or any firm) apples; 1 lemon; 2 cups caramel squares; 2 tbsp corn syrup

Directions

  1. Cut your apples in half. Use a melon baller to scoop out the insides, leaving about 1/4 inch around all edges.
  2. Squeeze the juice from the lemon onto the apples while you prepare the caramel. (This keeps them from turning brown.)
  3. In a microwave-proof bowl, melt the caramels and corn syrup. Try 30 seconds, then 15 seconds – just enough to melt them.
  4. Stir to mix.
  5. Allow to cool for about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Wipe the apples with a paper towel to remove as much lemon juice as possible. (Caramel won’t stick to a wet apple.)
  7. Spoon the caramel into the hollowed-out apples until just below the top. (This can be a very sticky stage, so you may want to wipe your fingers with some vegetable oil first.)
  8. Set the apple halves in muffin tins to keep them steady.
  9. Chill in the refrigerator until the caramel has set, about 20 minutes. Cut into slices (spray the knife with cooking spray for easier cutting; a serrated or tomato knife works well).

APPLE RINGS Makes 12 rings

Ingredients: 3 large, round apples and a variety of toppings. Suggestions:  1-2 kinds of nut or seed butter; cream cheese; peanuts; sunflower seeds; chocolate chips; raisins or Craisins; mini marshmallows; shredded coconut; crumbled pretzels or chopped pretzel sticks.

Directions

  1. Core and thinly slice apples width-wise to make 1/4 wide rings.
  2. Serve the rest of the toppings in small bowls and let kids decorate their own rings. Have them start by spreading each ring with a nut or seed butter or cream cheese to help the toppings stick.

Filed Under: Monterey Family Fun Tagged With: apple, fall, Recipe

Choose and Carve A Boo-tiful Jack O’Lantern

By Monterey Bay Staff | September 23, 2022

It’s pumpkin time! How can you make sure you pick the perfect pumpkin and transform it into a boo-tiful jack-o-lantern? Check out these handy tips with everything you need to know to create your family’s best-ever pumpkin.

Picky, picky

  • The best selection at pumpkin patches and in grocery stores will probably be available early this month.
  • No matter where you go, look for smooth pumpkins with no soft spots that indicate rot. It is also ideal to find one with a green stem, which means that the pumpkin has been freshly picked.
  • Try not to let your kids pick up the pumpkin by the stem. If the stem breaks off, it could take some of the outer pumpkin with it, making the inside rot faster.
  • Once you get your prized pumpkin home, store it uncarved in a cool, dry spot. Aim to crave your jack ’o lantern just a few days before Halloween. This will ensure that it does not decay too fast (boo, black spots!) and looks frightfully good on the big night.


Carving station

The mess from making a Jack-o-lantern is easier to handle on your patio or in your backyard than inside.

Never fear, though. Carving can be done indoors or out, especially with a well-prepared station. To make cleanup easier, line your tabletop with newspaper or cut open a plastic trash bag to spread over your surface. You will want to clean up quickly afterwards, too, since pumpkin flesh and seeds are super slippery.

Make it Boo-tiful

Have you ever seen a jack-o-lantern with black lines on its face? I know when my family uses permanent markers to sketch our design, we are usually left with a couple mistakes that we must live with or cut out. Here’s a tip I wish I knew years ago: try sketching your lines with a dry erase marker instead as their marks are erasable on pumpkins. Or use a template that you can attach directly to the pumpkin as a guide.

When it’s time to cut into your pumpkin, leave that to the adults as little ones should not handle anything sharp. Instead, give the kids big spoons or an ice cream scoop and let them scrape out the seeds. Save the seeds if you want to toast them later (more on that below).

Grown-ups, your goal should be to cut with short, controlled motions. Don’t forget to go slow. The best way to avoid a serious

hand injury is by taking your time.

Extra, Extra

Another useful tip is to give kids their own small pumpkin to decorate with glitter and glue or foam stickers while you carve the family’s bigger pumpkin. That way they will stay engaged and not lose interest.

If carving is more trick than treat for your family, then you can always paint your pumpkin instead. Note that you may need several coats to get the desired color and it can take a while for the paint to dry between coats.

Getting seedy

If you want to roast the seeds later, you’ll want to soak them in a big bowl of warm water. After swirling the seeds and attached goo around with your hands to separate them a bit, let them sit for at least 5 minutes. The goo sinks to the bottom while the seeds float to the top. Once dry, your seeds are ready for whatever sweet or savory recipe you find on the internet. Enjoy!


Katy M. Clark is a writer and mom of two who celebrates her imperfections on her blog Experienced Bad Mom.

Filed Under: Halloween Tagged With: fall, Halloween, pumpkin, pumpkin patch

WCGD? (What Can Grandparents Do?)

By Tricia Vlasak | September 25, 2020

There is certainly nothing normal about these times. When I sat down to write this month’s column, I realized there are so many variables impacting all of us: it’s hard to come up with a “one size fits all” article that fits under the heading “Fall Festivities” that my editor assigned.

Instead, I’ve decided to address some of the issues parents may be dealing with now and how grandparents might be able to lend a hand. In other words, what can grandparents do about . . .

SCHOOL

Most of our grandchildren are about a month in with remote learning. How are things going for them? If parents are juggling working outside of the home while their child is at home, conflicts are inevitable. Is there some way you can help with that? If you are retired or working part-time, this may be a solution to many problems. There is some risk, of course, based on outside jobs and exposure. But it is something to consider. Not only would it relieve overburdened parents, but it would give you precious time with your grandkids. Grandparents have a lot of experience to offer, and can undoubtedly be an asset to the parents and the schools for at-home learning.

Taking it one step further, perhaps you can help other families or the school somehow. Making phone calls, sending emails, and arranging “learning pods” are things a grandparent can help with.

If you aren’t physically close enough to help out, can you pick up the tab for your grandchild’s out-of-home educational care? There are several local organizations offering supervised care for children of working parents. What a gift you could give parents by providing financial assistance for one of those programs.

HALLOWEEN

Halloween is something kids look forward to for months. Coronavirus is the real boogeyman that has brought Halloween to a screeching halt. Or has it? Haunted houses and parties and door-to-door trick-or-treating are nixed. But Halloween can still be fun. According to statistics found online (so it must be true…lol), 74% of millennial moms say Halloween is more important than ever this year. What can grandparents do to help create a memorable Halloween? How about going HUGE on your decorating by making your house the one the neighborhood kids ask to drive by every night. Fog machines, lights, tons of pumpkins, inflatable décor… all fun to look at and so festive!

Another idea: if your grandkids can come over on Halloween, why not incorporate an egg hunt concept with Halloween? You can find small plastic pumpkins on Amazon to fill with candy and hide them around your yard (or house if there is uncooperative weather). Dress up for the kids and have a family-only Halloween party.

Or can you rent a screen and projector (or use a large television) to put in your driveway to play Halloween movies. If you’re comfortable with it, invite a few neighbors, your grandkids, and some of their friends to bring their lawn chairs and watch movies at a safe distance.

FALL FUN

One more idea for Fall…get outdoors! I’ve always been a big advocate for camping, and Autumn is the best time. The weather has finally cooled down, the trees are changing colors, and it’s apple season in many California areas. Rent an RV and take the grandkids somewhere fun for a few days. Give Mom and Dad a break, and make some new memories. S’ mores, stargazing, long walks, maybe riding bikes…all great activities.

This year has proven to be a challenge, but one thing that continues to amaze me is the ability of people to adapt. We will get through this together.


Tricia Vlasak is a mother, grandparent, and wife. She works in law enforcement when she isn’t writing about parenting, hiking with her dogs, or going on Jeep adventures.

Filed Under: Parenting Tagged With: Coronavirus, education, fall, Grandma Says, Halloween

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