Halloween Fun

October brings the fun of fall. There’s pumpkin picking, jumping into piles of leaves, pie making, and we’re back to a warmer wardrobe.

Perhaps the thing kids look forward to the most is Halloween. As soon as we flip the calendar page to October, thoughts of trick-or-treating, costumes, parties, and decorations come to children’s minds.

Of course, parents don’t condone gorging on sugary treats all the time, but on this one day of the year, most moms and dads loosen up and let the kids have at it. With so many mini chocolate bars and other crave-worthy confections, it’s too hard not to let the kids dig in. And plenty of parents rummage through their kids’ sacks seeking their favorite treats. Shhh…don’t tell the kids!

Some Ideas…

This year bring out the joy of Halloween by going all out. How about doing a collaborative costume theme for the entire family? You can decorate the inside and outside of the house to get that “haunted” spirit that makes Halloween stand out. It would be fun to throw a party and invite the kids from school to come by for games and snacks. Of course, trick-or-treating is a thrill as the kids go door-to-door and hope each house is well-stocked with candy to hand out.

If your child’s school allows for dress-up, perhaps you can have two costumes this year – one for school and one for trick-or-treating. This would be exiting for the kids who aren’t sure which one to pick. Pack them a Halloween-themed lunch by using a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter to turn their sandwich into a work of art. A few candy corns for dessert would be a welcome surprise. Why not decorate apples the night before and pack one in their lunchbox? The ideas are endless if you’re creative and willing to spend a bit of extra time making things adorable.

As far as fun goes, there’s no shortage of opportunity. But remember that safety is the number one concern. Travel in groups and never let small children go out unsupervised. Don’t overdo it on the candy, or else bellyaches will turn what could have been enjoyable into agony. Leave your outside light on in case the sun sets and kids are still out and about. And never open your door to trick-or-treaters that make you feel uneasy.

If you haven’t picked out costumes yet, get to it! The month will fly by faster than a witch on her broomstick.

Happy Halloween!

For more information like this, please visit All My Children’s blogs.

By: Melissa A. Kay