Fun Ways to Celebrate
Hunt for Pumpkins
If you’d rather keep sweets to a minimum, choose to go scavenging for craft pumpkins (with a surprise inside) instead. “Little ones love the thrill of the chase,” says creative-mom blogger Suzonne Stirling, a contributing craft editor for Family Circle and other magazines. “Flatten out some orange cupcake liners and draw Jack-o-Lantern faces on half of them with black markers. Put a party favor like a ball or sticker between two liners and glue the edges together. … Then, hide all of the Jack-o'-lantern faces in the backyard and provide buckets or bags for children to fill.”
Toss Beanbags
Kids love games! Get in the competitive spirit by creating a beanbag toss with just a few items. “Use an orange hula hoop, or wrap one with orange crepe paper and place it on the floor,” Stirling says. “Make facial features out of construction paper and place them inside the hoop, then attach to the floor with double-sided tape. Children try to toss bean bags onto the facial features. You can assign points for slightly older children, who can add up points and win prizes for various levels.”
Decorate Mini Pumpkins
No need to carve Jack-o'-lanterns. Arts and crafts are more fun for little kids, so decorate Halloween pumpkins—especially of the small variety that children love. “It's a basic idea, but give them all kinds of fun things to decorate with, like pre-cut paper or felt facial features, buttons if they're old enough, feathers, stickers, even candy,” says Stirling. “Have the kids decorate small pumpkins together; they could be minis or pie-size pumpkins. It's a classic craft, and the kids can take pride in their handiwork. An alternative to decorating pumpkins is to have them decorate trick-or-treat bags for the pumpkin hunt.”
Bob for Apples
Remember this game from your childhood? Your kids will think it’s just as entertaining. “Bobbing for apples is a classic way for kids to have fun while getting a sweet treat,” says Spinner. “For a twist on the original, hang doughnuts from string and have the kids eat them with no hands.” They’ll love the goodies they’re fishing for, and will probably get a good giggle as well.
Choose Baked Goods
Forget Halloween’s staple candies, and opt for something a little more decadent—and decoration-friendly. “Nix candy altogether and decorate pre-baked cookies or cupcakes together,” says Stirling. “I find that children of all ages enjoy this activity, even more than they enjoy eating the final product.” Isn’t a warm cookie or gooey cupcake better, anyway? And if you want to keep it healthier, opt for pumpkin muffins instead.
Make Pumpkin Crafts
Bust out the watercolor paint you have tucked away down in the basement, and let your toddler go for it. “Cut oversize pumpkin shapes from watercolor paper and have kids paint and decorate them,” Stirling says. If kids are a little older (age 4 or above), take it one step further and make pumpkin pillows. “Pumpkin shapes can have holes punched around the edges, and kids can lace them together with yarn, adding a little stuffing between the layers to create dimension.” You can buy stuffing at a local craft store.
