Harlem Children’s Zone Guide to a Spooky and Safe Halloween 2022

Halloween is here! And at Harlem Children’s Zone, it’s kind of a big deal. As in past years, we’re all excited for a night of spooky celebrations, costumes, and of course, trick or treating.

That said, we want our scholars, families, and community members to stay safe. If you’re planning on celebrating this year, check out our tips for a spooky — and safe — Halloween 2022:

Take note of early dismissal 

For the safety of our scholars, our Zone Afterschool and HCZ Promise Academy Afterschool programs are being dismissed at 6 PM on October 27 through November 2. Plan your week accordingly and reach out to your director for any questions or concerns.

Use these tricks to cut back on treats

Candy and Halloween go together like full moons and werewolves — you can’t have one without the other! But a little too much candy can sometimes lead to a really big stomach ache, according to our Healthy Harlem team. That’s why it’s important to moderate your sugar intake. Try to:

• Fuel up on a filling and healthy dinner before trick-or-treating so you don’t binge on the bad stuff.
• Stretch out candy consumption over several days rather than eating through your whole haul on Halloween night.
• Opt for the “healthier” versions of favorite treats, such as low-in-sugar candies, antioxidant-rich dark chocolate, and anything naturally sweetened with fruit or vegetable juice.
• Avoid sugary beverages and encourage a water-only Halloween.

Beware of scary movies and keep the scares to a minimum

As fun as Halloween is, sometimes it can be a little too scary. For younger kids especially, scary movies and haunted houses can bring out emotional stress or panic. When planning your Halloween celebrations, make sure to stick with age-appropriate activities.

Join our Halloween community events

Speaking of age-appropriate events, how about spending the day at one of our Harlem Children’s Zone community events!

• Spooky Fairytale, a family-friendly, Halloween-themed event to be held Saturday, Oct. 22, 10 AM-5 PM at Geoffrey Canada Community Center, 35 E. 125th St. All scholars, staff, and community members are invited to attend.
• Halloween Candy Giveaway with decorations, costumes, and music on Monday, October 31, 3-5:30 PM at Community Pride , 122nd Street and Adam Clayton Powell Blvd.

Stay vigilant

If you do plan to go out trick-or-treating, we encourage you to stay vigilant:

• Stay close: Parents and children should stick close together when trick-or-treating, and parents and teens should check in with each other regularly if teens are out with friends. Never go out with strangers and always look out for each other.
• Stay visible: When it comes to costumes, your urge may be to throw on something spooky. Problem is, spooky sometimes means hard to see. We encourage you to pick something that stands out (consider swapping Batman and Darth Vader for Paw Patrol or Sonic the Hedgehog). Wear reflective clothing to stay visible to motorists.
• If you see something, say something: Always remember, if you see something that’s a little too creepy, say something. That’s critical to having a safe Halloween 2022. Contact our Safety Team and/or call 911 and report it immediately.

If you have any questions about safety protocols or concerns, contact the staff at HCZ Promise Academy Afterschool Programs or Zone Afterschool Programs. We are here to support our community and ensure a fun and safe Halloween for all of us!