Kentucky State Parks “Get Spooky With It”

Kentucky State Parks “Get Spooky With It”

Belinda @ Kids Matter

What’s a great combination? How about Halloween and Kentucky State Parks? That’s right; Kentucky State Parks are “getting spooky with it”! All over the state, parks are hosting Halloween events. We are invited for hayrides, crafting, reptile presentations, cookouts, trick-or-treating, haunted trail adventures, ghost hunting, and costume contests to give a few examples of what’s in store. Who can resist such great temptations? Spending time with nature and exploring the activities for Halloween. Yes, that’s a great combination!

Why is nature such an important part of our lives? "Nature is fuel for the soul," says Richard Ryan, lead author and a professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. He says, "Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature.” Nature restores the harmony between mind, body, and soul. I think Gautham puts it best, “Everything we as humans have created has been derived from this harmony: anything from simply utilizing it efficiently to downright trying to copy its intricacies. Whenever we see the world around us becoming more and more chaotic we can look to the harmony that is nature to guide us back. The harmony that allows the whales and the sharks to live in the same ocean, the harmony that allows the wind and the trees to roam in the same fields, the harmony that allows the body and mind of all living beings to function as one.” Nature is literally the path to inner peace.

Walk hand in hand with your loved ones, steadfast into the great hope of a beautiful park covered in fall foliage. Inhale the essence that is purity in its simplest form. Disconnect from the technology that has you plugged in the majority of the day. Exhale the anxiety and tensions that have you in a choke hold. Open yourself to the possibility of enrichment and fulfillment through the anticipation of nature. Add in the excitement of celebrating Halloween in such an atmosphere and there you have it… a great combination!

Explore Kentucky; infuse yourself with the harmony found in its state parks through the essence of nature. Visit the Kentucky State Parks website to see information on Halloween events taking place in a state park near you. Have a Happy Halloween and a spooktacular time getting back to nature while you celebrate!

Five Crafty Halloween Ideas for Children

Five Crafty Halloween Ideas for Children

Belinda @ Kids Matter

As I am all about family time, I can’t imagine a better way to kick off the holiday season than by getting “spooky crafty” with the kids. Children absolutely love to do crafts. We will take a look at five crafty Halloween ideas that will put those creative little minds to work. Craft ideas are just that… ideas… add your own little twist to them. You will be surprised what children come up with while creating their crafts. Halloween is a holiday that sticks with you throughout your lifetime. Every Halloween you remember characters you became, the fun of going door to door, haunted houses, candy, and all the decorations. Create memories with your children by participating in as many fun filled activities as possible throughout October.

Creepy spiders

Materials: Styrofoam balls, black spray paint, black pipe cleaners, wiggly eyes, orange felt, glue, scissors, and gum drops. Make different sizes and create families of spiders.

1.     Paint the Styrofoam balls black and allow them to dry thoroughly.

2.     Insert eight pipe cleaners into the ball for the legs.

3.     Cut two small circles of orange felt for the eyes and glue them onto the ball.

4.     Glue two wiggly eyes onto the orange felt.

5.     Stick a gum drop on the end of each leg for the feet.

Frankinpumpkin

Materials: One large oblong shaped pumpkin, one lime, stapler, black and green paint, white, black, and green felt, two bolts, toothpicks, scissors, glue, and dark green marker.

1.     Paint the pumpkin green and dry thoroughly.

2.     Paint black hair on top of pumpkin and dry thoroughly.

3.     Cut the lime in half and insert two toothpicks into the sides of the pumpkin where the ears will go.

4.     Place the lime halves onto the toothpicks.

5.     Paint a long black eyebrow across the forehead of the pumpkin.

6.     Cut out two oval shaped white pieces of felt for the eyes and glue them onto the pumpkin.

7.     Cut out two circles of black felt for the eyes and glue them onto the white felt.

8.     Cut out two half ovals of green felt for the eye lids and glue them on.

9.     Paint the mouth and nose with black paint and dry thoroughly.

10.  Insert a bolt toward the bottom of each side of the pumpkin.

11.  Using the green marker, draw a line a couple inches long across the forehead of the pumpkin.

12.  Using the stapler, insert several staples across the green line.

Mummy cup

Materials: Plastic cups, medical gauze, wiggly eyes, candy, scissors, and glue.

1.     Coat the plastic cup with glue around the sides leaving the top and bottom uncovered.

2.     Wrap gauze around the cup going several layers deep around the cup.

3.     Cut the gauze and glue with a drop of glue to the back of the cup.

4.     Glue on two wiggly eyes.

5.     Fill cup with your favorite candy.

Spooktacular necklace

Materials: yarn, white glue, parchment paper, scissors, and black marker.

1.     On a sheet of parchment paper, using the glue, draw an outline of several ghosts.

2.     Allow them to dry for one minute.

3.     Fill in the outline with more glue.

4.     Allow the ghosts to dry for two days.

5.     Gently peel the ghosts from the parchment paper.

6.     Using the black marker, draw eyes and a mouth on the ghosts.

7.     Punch a hole at the top of each ghost large enough to insert yarn.

8.     Cut strands of yarn long enough to make a necklace.

9.     String ghosts onto the yarn creating a necklace and tie to appropriate size.

Cup of worms

Materials: One small box of instant chocolate Jell-O pudding,  two cups of milk, one package of Oreo cookies, one package of gummy worms, and four clear plastic cups.

1.     Make the chocolate pudding according to the directions on the box.

2.     Crush Oreo cookies and sprinkle some in the bottom of each cup.

3.     Pour a ½ cup of pudding into each cup.

4.     Sprinkle more Oreo crumbs on top of the pudding.

5.     Insert a couple worms into the Oreo pudding mixture (dirt) burying them about half the length of the worm with the remaining half sticking out the top of the cup.

6.     Chill for an hour in the refrigerator and then eat.

But don’t stop here... keep that Halloween momentum going and search for other creative crafts and projects to do for the holiday. Spend quality time with your children doing things to spark their creative juices while having fun. With all projects, make sure you have a wet cloth and dry towel handy to clean up messes. Prepare the working surface before delving into a project. Make certain that any furniture near the activity is covered for protection. Dress the children in old play clothes in case of accidents. Most importantly… be patient with the children as fun can be very exciting and may lead to distractions and failure to follow instructions. Allow the children to be as hands on as appropriate for their age. During the tasks where the adult must do the work, remember to talk with the children and describe what you are doing so they learn as you work. Explain to them why an adult must do that specific task and why they should not attempt it on their own. Crafts are great teaching tools! Discuss colors, shapes, textures, counting, letters, sounds, and safety rules as you work. Have a great time with your projects and create beautiful smiles and memories as you go!

Halloween: A Night for Treats, Not Tragedies

Halloween: A Night for Treats, Not Tragedies

Robin @ Kids Matter

Twice as many kids are killed, while walking on Halloween, as on any other day of the year.  Kids usually trick-or-treat when it is dark which makes it more difficult for drivers to see them.  Because they’re excited about getting candy, children may not be watching for cars.

Parents and drivers need to do their part to help kids stay out of the emergency room on Halloween.

Top tips to keep Kids safe on Halloween

For parents and children:

·        Emphasize safe pedestrian behaviors to kids before they go trick or treating.

·        Cross the street safely at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.  Look left, right, and left again before crossing the street.  And, keep looking as you cross.  Walk; don’t run across the street.

·        Walk on sidewalks or paths.  If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible.  Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.

·        Slow down and stay alert.  Watch out for cars that are turning or backing up, and never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.

·        Costumes can be both creative and safe.  Decorate your children’s costumes with reflective materials and, if possible, choose light colors that can be seen in the dark.  Masks can obstruct a child’s vision, so choose nontoxic face paint, makeup and wigs instead.

·        Carry flashlights or glow sticks.  These will help trick-or-treaters see and be seen by drivers.

For drivers:

·        Slow down in residential neighborhoods and school zones.

·        Be sure to turn your full headlights on between 5:30 and 9:30 P.M., the most popular trick-or-treating hours.

·        Be especially alert and take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.  Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.

·        Slowly and carefully enter and exit driveways and alleys.

·        Reduce any distractions inside your car, such as talking on the phone or eating, so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.

Treats:

·        While pedestrian safety is a main concern on Halloween, parents and kids should be careful when dealing with candy.  Remind children to only eat treats in original and unopened wrappers.

This information is provided by Safe Kids, Fayette County.  Visit their website to learn more about how to keep our children safe.    http://www.ukhealthcare.uky.edu/safekids/

Halloween Memories

Halloween Memories

BA @ Kids Matter

Ah, Halloween….. 

How do I love thee… let me count the ways:

1.      The decorations,

2.      The costumes,

3.      The food,

4.      The magic, and mostly,

5.      The memories…

When I was growing up, Halloween was one of my favorite days of the year.  The week leading up to the big night, always meant a trip with my mom to the local 5&10 cent store, J.J. Newberry’s, on Main Street to pick out the perfect costume.  We would walk down the street, stop under the striped awning, enter through the big heavy swinging double doors and stroll across the wooden floors in search of the Halloween display.  There it was… a glass enclosed counter with the individual boxes of costumes stacked to the top.  Yes, costumes came in a cardboard box; nicely folded with the mask peeking through the cellophane window in the box top. 

You could be anyone you wanted to be; a clown, a witch, Howdy Doody, the Lone Ranger, Cinderella, a lion, or a scarecrow.  It was all so enticing to a six year old!  As well as I can remember, the costumes were some sort of satin material that slipped on or pulled up, over your clothes and had a plastic tie at the neck.  A picture, to represent who you were, was stamped on the front… Cinderella also had some glitter on the front.  The masks were lightweight plastic and covered your entire face. You could hardly breathe in them.  But who cared?  It was great fun!!

On Halloween afternoon, when my dad got home from work, he and I would head to the back yard. He would cut the top off our pumpkin with a big butcher knife and let me stick my hand in to pull out all of the slimy insides.  He would carve a scary face, put a candle inside, put the top back on, carry it to the front yard, and ceremoniously place it on the front porch steps.   Then, it would be time to finish homework and eat a special dinner.  My Mom always made chili and sandwiches on this occasion.   But who could eat? 

Evening was beginning and soon my best friend and I would be donning our costumes and meeting to go Trick or Treating!  As I was getting ready, I always pictured a witch flying in front of a big yellow moon with wolves howling below.   Strange creatures would be lurking behind every tree.  I couldn’t wait to get outside in the dark, cold, eerie night. 

We would go from house to house. Each neighbor would comment on how scary, funny or beautiful we were in our costumes.  They always pretended not to know who we were, even though my dad was waiting patiently on the sidewalk.  We could count on wonderful goodies like popcorn balls, homemade cookies, caramel apples, big suckers, and chocolate bars!  Oh, the magic and wonderful innocence of it all!

I can still feel the warm memories come flooding back every year about this time…..the sweet simplicity of the late fifties.  I wish it could still be like that, but it was a long, long time ago and times have surely changed.  Those times were not so bad.  It was the simple things in life that made us what we are today… big kids who still love Halloween.

From the Director’s Chair: Halloween Costumes on a Budget!

From the Director’s Chair: Halloween Costumes on a Budget!

 Julia @ Kids Matter

          Hello all! How is everyone enjoying this fine fall weather? I know I am just about to burst at the seams over fall. It is absolutely my favorite season. It brings out my creative side, and I find myself more flowery, romantic, and day dreamy than normal!

          I always start a knitting project, which is inevitably a scarf, because I struggle to knit anything else. This year I am going to push myself and learn to knit a dog sweater for my Pit Bull, Piglet. She is white with a pink nose and ears, so naturally it will be pink, much to my fiancé’s chagrin. (He disagrees with clothing for dogs.) Pit Bulls have thin coats and she trembles in the cold. So, Pink sweater is shall be!

          I also start writing a new novel, baking new recipes for the upcoming holidays, reading haunting tales (Carrie, currently due to the movie coming out next weekend), and walking in the park more.  But, most importantly, I start my shopping list for my All Hallows’ Eve costume. Most of my materials are items already in the house. I did not grow up a wealthy child. We went without a lot and I usually made all my Halloween costumes. My grandmother and I would start designing in June, and the final project would be ready a few weeks before the holiday.

          I am a huge advocate for do-it-yourself costumes. It inspires you to think creatively. If you sit and think about what you want to be on this one night, what would you write down?  Remember, you can be anything you want! Now, take that list and think about HOW to do it UNDER $25. I did that every year of my life growing up. And every year, I shocked my mother with how creative and frugal I was! (And STILL brought home the blue ribbon)

          The following list includes my favorite costumes over the years. Some are from my childhood, and others are from adulthood. And no, you are never too old for Halloween. Even passing out candy or trick or treating with your kids should and must require a costume!  

1.   Lenore from “The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe

2.   Joker Card

3.   Fairy

4.   Lightning Bug

5.   Lady Bug

6.   Persephone (Goddess of spring)

7.   Poison Ivy (Batman villain)

          The top one would probably have to be the lightning bug costume.  I will break it down to show you how I executed it and saved on costs.

Lightning Bug:

I simply wore black yoga pants, green sneakers, and a long sleeved black t-shirt. I curled my hair and wrapped it into two HUGE buns on top of my head. I fastened bright green pipe cleaners ($2 at Wal-Mart) end to end to make two long pipe cleaners, then twisted them around each bun. I also used two pipe cleaners that I twisted around a pencil to make tight curls as my bug antennae. Then, I took bright green eye shadow and lipstick ($2 together at Wal-Mart) and did a ‘beauty’ makeup. I used the green shadow on my eyes accented with black liner and shadow I already had. I also used the green and black eye shadow as blush to create green glossy contours on my cheeks! I finished that makeup with long sparkly fake lashes ($2.99 Wal-Mart) and green lipstick. The BEST part however, was my wings! I took some old wire hangers and unfolded them to straighten them out. I used two hangers per wing. I then molded the two hangers together to make long ovals. Then I took some black spandex material, which I bought at my local fabric store ($2.99 per yard- I bought 1½) and hot glued the material to the wire. I also had some black and green glitter on hand and glued some of that on them as well.

Next, I went to a party store and bought three pearly bright green balloons (39 cents each), three green glow sticks ($1 each), and green glow in the dark jewelry ($1 per tube) to wear at my wrists. I blew up the balloons to a medium round size and slipped a glow stick into each. I then cut a pair of green and black striped tights (4.99 at Wal-Mart) and used one of the legs to stuff the 3 glowing balloons into. I tied the top of the stocking closed and CAREFULLY attached a safety pin to the top knot and bottom toe. I then hot glued 2 elastic pieces (99 cents per yard) to the top and bottom of each wing/arm to hold my wings on. I safety pinned my glowing back to the top and bottom of my shirt. When my arms were resting at my sides the back was hidden, when I raised my arms, my glowing back was visible. Total cost for costume awesomeness? $23.97 after tax! That is way cheaper than most store bought costumes!

So, there you have it, costuming on a budget. What will you make for yourself this year? With your child? Sit down with your little one and find out what they want to be this year.  How can you make that happen under $25? What a Challenge!!!

Until next time! Happy Halloween and if you pass out treats… A plea from all those who are young, or young at heart- NO RAISINS!

Halloween Tradition

Halloween Tradition

Kim @ Kids Matter

As soon as my children could walk, I would doll them up in cute Halloween costumes and we would go trick or treating!  They were so cute the first years; barely able to even say trick or treat.  I’m sure many of you remember how cute your children were and what that first “twik or tweet” and “tank you” sounded like.  It brings a smile to my face.  We would go to all of our relatives and friends homes and show off our cute toddlers. 

Each year as they grew older, we would carve the pumpkins.  It was a BIG scary ordeal when they were little. As they got bigger, the pumpkins had to be “cool” looking.  We had to decorate inside the house, make cookies and of course, decorate them.   I always found myself buying candy at least twice because by the end of the month, when we actually needed the candy for the night, it would be just about gone.

I remember warm trick or treat nights. I remember others when I had to drive the car up and down the street. The kids would pop out of the car, run up and visit a couple houses, and then run back to escape the frigid autumn air.

Now, my daughter is grown. This year she has her first toddler, Maddie, who will be a kitty cat.  She will be just three days shy of one year old, walking, and has no idea what we are doing.  My daughter has painted and carved pumpkins this year.  She has decorated the house but not bought candy.  She will take Maddie trick or treating down Main Street in town.  Trick or treating is a little different now than when my children grew up.  They also have the “Trunk or Treats”, which I think is a fabulous idea.  New traditions are being made before my eyes.  It is so much fun for me to watch my daughter carrying on old traditions and creating new ones.

I have so many memories; old and new.  Whatever the tradition… it’s all about how much family and Kids Matter!

Halloween Party: Make it fun, not painful

Halloween Party: Make it fun, not painful

Belinda @ Kids Matter

What child wouldn’t love a Halloween party? For that matter… a lot of parents are quite fond of them as well! But… when you think of “party” do you get the idea of something huge, costing lots of money, and taking up an absurd amount of your time? Maybe that seems like more work than you feel you can afford both financially and time wise. How about if I told you that doesn’t have to be the case? What if you could have a party for 4-8 children for under $50 and it take no more than three hours of your time including the actual party time? Is it sounding better? Well, let’s get started!

Decorations

What do kids love most? BALLOONS! Decorate with streamers and balloons and you’ll have a hit on your hands! Don’t spend money on expensive fancy balloons; just buy ordinary solid color balloons. If you want to decorate them blow them up before the party and draw Halloween characters on them. Balloons and streamers will cost you about $4.

Food and drinks

No need to get all into planning a big feast. It’s a fun holiday and all the kids care about are the sweets! Schedule your party for between lunch and dinner or after dinner on a night when there is no school. Buy the prepackaged decorated sugar cookies. Use your time for preparing games, not baking. Games are much more exciting! Cookies will cost you about $8, more or less, depending on how many you want each child to have. I wouldn’t go more than two a piece, or then you will be dealing with sugar rush chaos! As for drinks, I would stick with something simple like apple juice or the prepackaged kid’s drinks.

Music

You have to set the mood of the party and kids love music! Take a few minutes and visit this link at Dream English Halloween to get some FREE music. If you don’t care for these search the internet for free Halloween music.

Activities/Games

Every Halloween party has to have pumpkin painting! Don’t worry… there will be no messy paint spills to clean up with this one. You can either purchase one pumpkin for each child (approximately $5/each) or double the kids up on the pumpkins. Buy a package of black Sharpie markers ($4) and before the party pre-draw face outlines for the kids to fill in.

Face painting is such a great activity for children. How often do they get to put paint on their faces without getting into trouble? This is really a treat for them! If you are doing your shopping at Wal-Mart pick up their KIDS CRAFT Face Paint Mega Set for $6.57. Don’t forget the brushes if you don’t have any at home. (That’s at most another couple dollars.)

GAMES!!!! The excitement rings throughout your house! Mummy Wrap is a great game the children will love. Grab a roll of toilet paper from your bathroom and some scotch tape. If you are participating in the game the kids will have a ball turning you into the mummy! If you choose not to get in on the game allow the kids to mummify whoever wants to do it. Spooky Memory Game is a free game you can printout from Spoonful. Follow the directions for printing and playing as provided on the website. Find the Eyeball is an icky game and we all know how children love to get icky! Cook a package of spaghetti from your pantry. You can even throw in some food coloring while it cooks. Be sure to over cook the pasta. Drain it thoroughly and coat it with a little vegetable oil so it is really slimy. Purchase a pack of ping pong balls ($3) and with your black Sharpie, draw an eyeball on each one. Allow the marker to dry and the pasta to cool. Drop the eyeballs into the pasta and have the kids find the eyeballs (without looking of course).

Treats

At the close of the party, hand out treat bags filled with yummy candy. Treat bags will cost about $1 or you could use the old fall back… sandwich bags! The candy you choose will probably be the most expensive item for the party besides the pumpkins. I would suggest a bag of Sather’s Kiddie Mix ($4.48) and then some type of little chocolate bars. You want to leave the candy until the end and let them have the sugar rush at home!

Don’t be afraid to use what you have in your home to cut down on the costs. Most of us have paper plates and napkins or paper towels for the cookies. No need to get all fancy, again, the kids only care about the fun and sweets! If you are like me you have a cabinet full of sippy cups to cut down on the messes by the wee little ones or if you opt for the prepackaged drinks that is one less thing you have to think about… cups.

Have a great time with your Halloween party! Laugh, enjoy, and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Halloween: A Month Long Celebration

Kim @ Kids Matter

At this time of year, my mind leaps to a simpler time when I was about eight years of age.  It was the most exciting and fun holiday, rated right up there with Easter and Christmas.  I am talking, of course, about Halloween. 

Halloween starts way before its calendar date with almost every porch displaying the crazy, fun, scary, and sometimes gruesome decorations appeared. The big decision arrives. What would I be for Halloween?  Then the shopping began, the hunt for the most exciting and trendy costume that I could get my mother to purchase. Soon there were parties and local city Carnivals! You know the Halloween Carnival that’s held on the same corner year after year? It’s complete with bobbing for apples and a most fabulous cake walk. I won a cake one year. My fondest memory is the paint booth with the flying paint making wonderful designs. Do you remember the silly mirror exhibit; where we are tall, small, skinny, and fat?   Oh, and the rides!  Yes, the magnificent rides!  The ones that made me squeal with pure terror then beg and beg for more tickets to ride.

Then Halloween night finally arrived.  It was always more fun if you trick or treated with a friend who was also sleeping over.  Our laughter joined all the other children’s laughter as we raced up and down the streets of the neighborhood getting a thrill as we knocked on EVERY door.  The over the top costumes of adults answering the door and, if you were really lucky, someone in the neighborhood made a haunted house in their garage.  We would be duly scared to death and shrieking loudly as we bailed out the garage back door laughing and feeling that giddy childhood happiness.

Then, the moment of truth!  We sat on my bedroom floor sorting and stacking our mounds of each different, delicious candy we had received.  You remember bubble gum, suckers, the wonderful big thick Cherry Charms suckers (that we can’t find anymore), Pixie Stix, Now & Laters, SweetTarts, Mary Janes, and best of all… BIG candy bars!  We would eat and eat and eat and finally fall asleep exhausted by the greatest Halloween ever!

Now here we are as parents and grandparents watching our own little ones faces light up just the same way. The candy may be different. Popcorn balls may be extinct due to safety factors. But… one thing is for sure; Halloween is one short day within a month long celebration of fun, hauntings, and last but not least… CANDY!! Think back, what was that one special candy you just beamed over when sorting your haul?

Monday Meanderings - Halloween Snacks

With Halloween fast approaching, I went on a hunt for some great snacks to prepare.
Here are some of my favorites.

First we have Taste of Home with these adorable Marshmallow Witches. They look quick and easy and may be great for kids to put together.

Our Best Bites made these cute Mummy Dogs and Monster Jaws.

Cute As A Fox made these very cute, er I mean scary, Monster Rods. I love these!!

Have a great Halloween!

Jack O Lantern Paper Cut Story

As I was looking around online, I came across a great pumpkin paper cut story on Dr. Jean's website. I thought this would be a great story to recreate with kids and gave it a try on my own son.

I changed her story a little bit to make it more relevant to my son's activities. Please go to Dr. Jean's website for the original story, but ours went like this.

Once there was this funny little lady that lived in an orange house. Her house was different because it was shaped like a half circle and the sidewalk came straight out of the bottom of the house.

Now this funny little lady wanted to go outside and sweep her sidewalk but she had trouble getting her broom out the door so she had a long door cut for her broom handle. Now she can go outside and sweep any time she wants.

Now this funny little lady had a new problem. She liked to wear a tall pointed hat whenever she went outside to sweep but her hat kept getting knocked off when she tried to go out the door. She decided to have a special door cut just for her hat to fit through. Now she can wear her tall, pointed hat anytime she wants to go outside and sweep.

Later, she wanted to get some pet bats, but they could not get inside the house. She decided to cut out a special window for her bats to fly in and out of. Now the bats can come and go as they please.

So on Halloween, the neighborhood kids went over to the funny little lady's house and knocked on the door. She came to the door and said "I have a surprise for you! Now close your eyes!"

The house is a Jack O Lantern and inside the house is the funny little lady and she is wearing a witch costume and playing with her pet bats! I then let my son decorate the Jack O Lantern with witch and bat stickers and it is now hanging proudly on our door.