For most children, Halloween is the night when they get to go out into the neighborhood, ring their neighbor’s doorbells and ask for free candy. As a kid, what could be better? As a parent, however, it may not be your favorite holiday for a variety of reasons. Rather than taking your kids out to go trick-or-treating, try one of these exciting Halloween activities and fun kids crafts for Halloween.

Host A Hauntingly Great Halloween Party

You might find that there are other parents in your neighborhood who feel the same way that you do about trick-or-treating and are looking for some other activities for Halloween as well. See if they would rather send their child to your home for a kid’s Halloween party.

Mummy Juice Box Kids Halloween Craft

What you need

• Juice boxes

• White crepe paper

• Tape

• Googly eyes

• Small candies

Purchase enough juice boxes for each child to have one. Remove the straws from the back of the juice boxes. Using white crepe paper and securing it with tape, have the children wrap the boxes until they look like mummies. Glue 2 googly eyes on the front of each box and fill them with candy.

Create Your Own Halloween Mask

Decorating Halloween Sugar Cookies

What you need

• Sugar cookies

• Small candies

• Orange and black frosting

• Sprinkles

• Plastic spoons

Before the party, make your favorite sugar cookie recipe. Make sure you will have enough for each attendee to decorate 2 cookies. Purchase small candies, orange and black frosting, sprinkles, and plastic spoons to do the decorating with.

Arrange A Pumpkin Carving Contest

Invite the neighbors over or just enjoy some time with the family while having a pumpkin carving contest. Begin the night by heading over to the local pumpkin patch (or grocery store) so that everyone can pick out their perfect pumpkin. Make sure that you have plenty of sharp knives or Pumpkin carving tools and scooping spoons on hand. For little ones who would rather paint, have a variety of acrylic paint colors and some paintbrushes ready for them. When everyone is ready to go, set the timer for an hour and get carving (or painting). When time is up, each person can cast their vote for the best pumpkin and you can tally it up to determine a winner.

Plan A Family Film Halloween Festival

Make sure you talk up the family film festival before Halloween to get your little ones excited to stay in. If weather permits, you can even set it up outside using a Movie Mate Outdoor Projector, some lounging floor chairs or sleeping bags. Together as a family, decide on a Halloween movie that the whole family can enjoy. Consider your children’s ages and what amount of “scary” they can handle. Some kid-friendly Halloween movies to consider are:

• “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown”

• “Mickey’s House of Villains”

• “Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie”

• “The Watcher in the Woods”

• Harry Potter Movies

• “Coraline”

Prior to the Halloween film festival, purchase or make your own theater snacks like some Goblin Bars or some Halloweenies with Mustard Dip. For more Halloween recipes, check out our Halloween Treats. Don’t forget the classic popcorn and soda!

Participate In A Community Halloween Event

Check with your city to see what types of Halloween events are going on in your community. Some events to look for on Halloween are:

• Trick-or-treating at the zoo, a museum, or the mall.

• A kid’s Halloween festival at the park.

• A candy village set up at a park or local amphitheater.

• Fire or police department tours for safe little monsters.

• Kids Halloween movies in the park or at a local theater.

Remember when performing any of these kids activities for Halloween, adult supervision is required.

Sources:

Cyndee DAgostini

http://www.improvementscatalog.com/RoomForImprovements/kids-activities-for-halloween/