Halloween 2021: Fun Ways to Celebrate with the Whole Family
Halloween 2021: Fun Ways to Celebrate with the Whole Family
Halloween is just around the corner, are you as excited as we are? The Halloween season is famously full of spirit, and with the state of emergency recently lifted, CareFinder is here to help your family celebrate in and outside the home! From DIY family costumes to theme park Halloween specials, here are our favorite ideas to make this season special (and spooky)!
Halloween Snacks and Treats
No celebration is complete without tasty treats, so why not try a few spirited recipes for the whole family to enjoy? Halloween-themed cooking and baking is a great at-home activity, and we found a ton of delicious ideas. From sugar skull cookies to spider pizzas, these sweet and savory treats offer a perfect opportunity to build children’s cooking skills while having loads of fun!
Fun & Easy Treats to Make With Your Kids
Halloween Costumes
Have your kids ever dreamed of being their favorite superhero, or character from Cars? Well, Halloween is the perfect time to make their wishes come true! Dressing up in a creative costume is one of the most beloved and recognizable Halloween traditions. Whether your child is drawn to silly, cute, or scary, Halloween costumes are a great way for them (and the whole family) to express themselves.
Some families love working together on DIY family costumes (I mean how cute is this baby turned miniature Hungry Hungry Hippo?). Whether you’re looking for quick n’ simple or a creative challenge, these DIY Halloween costume ideas have something for everyone!
DIY Kids Halloween Costume Ideas
DIY Family Halloween Costume Ideas
Prefer to purchase your Halloween costumes? No problem, we got you covered there, too. Several department stores in and around Tokyo offer wide selections of Halloween costumes and accessories for children and adults alike. We recommend checking out Don Quijote, Tokyu Hands, Loft and Akihabara (especially for more kawaii and anime options)! Tight on time, or looking for browse from home? Amazon Japan offers a variety of kids costumes (with quick shipping!) for minimum stress and maximum convenience.
Halloween Crafts and Activities
Pumpkin Carving and Decorating
Like dressing up, pumpkin carving is a staple Halloween festivity! The famed Jack O’ Lantern is a symbol of the season, and what better way to get your kids into the Halloween spirit than creating one of their own? Pick your perfect pumpkin at National Azabu, and grab a carving toolkit for everything you need to get started.
But wait, what about pumpkin carving inspiration for the little ones? Look no further! Witches, wolves, and unicorns (oh my!) – these beginner-level pumpkin carving stencils offer 99 cool designs for craft-loving kids to try.
Of course, not all children are ready and able to wield a mini carving knife. Worry not, we also have some no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas for you. These activities are small child-proof, featuring no sharp tools but lots of artsy fun! We do, however, advise caution if you involve glitter in your pumpkin décor (it may stick around well past Halloween…).
Easy No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating for Kids
Halloween Crafts
Halloween crafting can include so much more than costuming and pumpkin decorating. Looking for DIY Halloween décor? Candy creatures? Handmade spooky jewelry? Whatever your interest, we have gathered awesome Halloween craft ideas that are sure to bring hours of play, learning, and laughter. Watch your kids turn potatoes into ghost stamps, or rocks into Jack O’ Lanterns! These hands-on crafts are the perfect creative outlet for children, and they will be thrilled to help make their home ready for the Halloween season.
Spooky-Sweet Halloween Kids Crafts
Halloween Kids Crafts for the Whole Family
Halloween Crafts with CareFinder
Crafting can also be a wonderful way to bring multicultural engagement to your Halloween celebrations! Take some time this season to try out Halloween origami, a fun and educational way to mix Western Halloween traditions with Japanese art and culture.
Halloween Movies and Music
Exploring digital media, such as movies and music, is a great opportunity to experience modern and iconic Western Halloween culture. From Monster House to Hocus Pocus, childhood Halloween favorites both carry on tradition and give the whole family time to sit back, relax, and enjoy (kid-friendly) spooky movies. Check out some movies you can stream on Netflix and Amazon that will truly capture the Halloween spirit!
While Halloween tunes may not be the first thing on your mind when you think of the season, music is the perfect way to set a spooky and festive mood while your family enjoys other at-home activities. Play some of these groovy Halloween jams (Monster Mash is a total classic) while cooking or crafting, and you’ll have the kids chanting “This is Halloween!” in no time.
Events
Despite the continued impact of COVID-19, dropping infection cases and increasing vaccinations have allowed for some of our favorite Halloween events to remain and return (hooray!). As you may know, “Trick or Treat!” as it is known in the West is not common in Japan. However, these Halloween events in and around Tokyo still capture the communal Halloween spirit you may know and love. From commercial district trick-or-treating to haunted theme parks, we encourage you to (safely) enjoy these festive Halloween attractions!
Date: 10/01/2021 – 10/31/2021
Location: Ueno/Okachimachi/Yushima
Shitamachi Halloween returned this year, featuring a trick-or-treat in Okachimachi Panda Square (Oct. 30, 12:00 – 17:00), a Halloween movie showing, a stamp rally (multiple locations), and a widespread Halloween bazaar!
Date: Until 10/31/2021
Location: Kichijoji/Online
Kichijoji Halloween is the perfect event for families looking to choose between online or in-person participation! Kichijoji Halloween has skillfully designed their event this year to provide both in-person and virtual ways to celebrate. In-person, you can participate in a trick-or-treat sweets rally or enjoy shopping discounts at supporting stores. Virtually, you can enjoy the costume photo contest (its “upcycle” theme is both adorable and sustainable!) and a playful online costume parade, complete with games and Halloween-themed virtual backgrounds!
Grand Hyatt Halloween Celebration
Date: 09/21/2021 – 10/31/2021
Location: Grand Hyatt Tokyo, Roppongi
Looking for delicious, tasteful Halloween treats that you don't have to make yourself? The Grand Hyatt Tokyo is hosting a Halloween Celebration that offers gourmet Halloween snacks, treats, and drinks, offering an option for kids, adults or the whole family! Experience mystical Halloween Afternoon Tea, creepy Horror Movie Afternoon Tea, and even Halloween Cocktails (only for the adults, of course).
Date: 09/03/2021
Location: Maihama
Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort is an absolute blast for both kids and adults! Special Halloween-themed character costumes, haunted attractions, “spook-tacular” treats and events—this season at Disneyland has everything you need to soak in the Halloween spirit.
Sanrio Puroland Halloween Pumpkin Time
Date: 09/10/2021 – 10/31/2021
Location: Tama
Who said Halloween has to be scary? Sanrio Puroland presents a Halloween celebration that is 100% cute and 0% fright, featuring seasonal treats, Fall- and Halloween-themed décor, and precious Halloween costumes for its beloved Sanrio characters (they have My Melody as a pumpkin witch!).
Tokyo Joypolis Halloween x Sonic
Date: 09/18/2021 – 10/31/2021
Location: Tokyo Joypolis
Tokyo Joypolis is offering a special Halloween event to celebrate the season AND Sonic’s 30th Anniversary! During the Halloween x Sonic event, enjoy discounted theme park tickets, a limited time Halloween version of Sonic, and a colorful seasonal menu!
Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest
Date: 10/30/2021 – 10/31/2021
Location: Ikebukuro
One of Japan’s largest Halloween events, Ikebukuro Halloween (or “Ikehallo”) is a must-see Halloween experince for kids and families who love anime and manga! You’ll surely be amazed by the festive cosplayers celebrating the Halloween spirit.
Halloween Fair at the Yokohama Royal Park Hotel
Date: 10/01/2021 – 10/31/2021
Location: Yokohama Royal Park Hotel, Yokohama
Looking for more festive Halloween treats? The Halloween Fair at the Yokohama Royal Park Hotel is an excellent option for gourmet seasonal snacks and treats outside of Tokyo.
Universal Studios Japan Halloween Festa
Date: 09/10/2021 – 11/07/2021
Location: Universal Studios Japan, Osaka
For families in Osaka, or families willing to travel, USJ offers a thrilling Halloween event with stellar attractions for both kids and adults. NO LIMIT! Halloween features a Halloween monster meet n’ greet and daytime trick-or-treating for your little ones. Looking for something really spooky? This theme park also includes street zombies and yōkai, complete with a haunted abandoned village maze (lovers of Halloween horror, rejoice!).
So, what epic Halloween ideas will you bring to your family’s celebration this year? Whatever your festivities, we are wishing you a Happy Halloween!
