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!

Help with LETTERS

Help with LETTERS

Belinda @ Kids Matter

Instead of throwing your hands up in despair, how about searching for fun ways to teach, those precious little ones, the letters of the alphabet? We have to remember that what works for one child, may not work for another. Children are like snowflakes; none of them identical. Sometimes teaching is more about the teacher learning, instead of the child. We always have to be willing to improve our teaching skills and that requires us to continually search for new, and better, methods. Below are some fun things to try with your child. Remember, patience is a wonderful virtue!

Hands on as We Grow – 50 great activities to try.

No Time for Flash Cards – 25 alphabet activities for kids.

Just Mommies – 10 creative ways to teach your child the alphabet.

Teach Mama - 10 fun ways of helping kids learn the abc’s.

I Can Teach My Child - 35+ Alphabet Activities for Toddlers & Preschoolers.

Your Child Learns – Alphabet adventures.

Fun-A-Day – Teaching children about letters.

Spoonful – 26 alphabet activities for kids.

My Life in Verbs - 21 ideas to help your child learn letters and letter sounds.

Ready-Set-Read - 14 ways to explore the letters in your child's name.

Make learning fun, not only for the child, but the teacher as well. There is plenty of time for worry, stress, and rush, later on in life. Brighten a child’s day by spending time teaching and playing with them.

Big Body Play

Big Body Play

Belinda @ Kids Matter

“STOP! Someone is going to get hurt!” “Don’t do that!” “Calm down!” “Don’t be so rough!” How many times have you said or heard those statements? If you have ever spent any time around two or more children you have probably heard those more times than you can count. True? Children love to get rough and physical in their play, it’s just a fact. But, what is big body play and is it necessary? Today, we take a look at Big Body Play written by Frances M. Carlson.

What is big body play? Carlson defines it as, “Rolling, running, climbing, chasing, pushing, banging, tagging, falling, tumbling, rough-and-tumble, rowdy, roughhousing, horseplay, and play-fighting. These are just some of the names that adults give to the boisterous, large motor, very physical activity that young children naturally seem to crave. All are forms of big body play—a play style that gives children the opportunities they need for optimum development across all domains from physical to cognitive and language to social and emotional.” So, there is actually a name and purpose for all that chaos. As you were watching two boys play fighting, did that thought ever occur to you? It sure didn’t to me, a mother of four boys and two girls.

Big body play is started before birth with rolling, kicking, and the waving of arms. This process advances with age into full blown wrestling in the yard. This form of play is utilized by animals as well as humans. Big body play can be done alone, with other children, or even with pets. The activities can include rules and guidelines for structured play or can be a free-for-all. Who doesn’t like a good game of tag outside on a beautiful summer day? When participating in big body play, endorphins are released that make us feel good. Play makes us happy. We all want to be happy. But, are there other benefits for supporting big body play?

There are numerous positive effects of physical play on health. A child’s gross motor skills develop during big body play. They develop body awareness and learn the limitations of their body. Their coordination is honed during this play time. They develop control of movement and balance. Relationships are formed. They become more fluid in their movements and less clumsy. The health of the child is also improved through physical activity. Social and emotional skills are developed. Verbal and non-verbal communication skills are developed. The lists of benefits go on and on.

“But I’m afraid of my child getting hurt,” says the concerned parent. Neither Carlson nor I recommend just allowing your child to have an unsupervised free-for-all. Children are still learning their physical limitations; so, of course, supervision is the key to a successful session of big body play. I found, in my children’s big body play that these fun times often ended when someone got hurt. The “hurt” was never serious and a few minutes later they were back at it again. The only difference during the later play is that they now knew what caused the hurt. Step up and lay ground rules, join in with the activity, oversee the fun times, and most importantly laugh and have fun. We are only kids once and big body play is where we found our greatest joy.

While big body play seems a scary thing, there are numerous benefits that allow your child to grow and learn which cannot be provided in a “sit down” learning environment. What big body play activities do you participate in with your child?

Internet Security

Internet Security

Belinda @ Kids Matter

The age of cyber predators has arrived and there sits your child fully enthralled in playing that educational game. The child has not a worry in the world, but lurking behind the scenes, a predator could be monitoring your child. Not only is the child at risk, but so is your computer and everything you have stored on it. In one click you could open the door to hackers and viruses. How do you keep both your child and your electronic gadgets safe?

Tip #1:

Never leave your child unattended while they are on the internet. If they are old enough to peruse their games and favorite sites without your assistance, you should at least be in the same room or check on them often. Kids love to explore, and exploring the internet could lead to danger.

Tip #2:

Utilize anti-virus software on your computer. Sites such as AVG, McAfee, Norton, and AVAST all offer free, (or a free trial), software for protection. It is also good to keep a malware program on your computer such as Malware Bytes or Ad-Aware. Set up the software to run on a schedule that will protect you as needed. One suggestion is to run both programs once a week.

Tip #3:

Most sites deposit “cookies” which are defined by Webopedia as, “A message given to a Web browser by a Web server. The browser stores the message in a text file. The message is then sent back to the server each time the browser requests a page from the server.”  Per Webopedia, “Cookies cannot read your hard drive to find out information about you; however, any personal information that you give to a Web site, including credit card information, will most likely be stored in a cookie unless you have turned off the cookie feature in your browser. In only this way are cookies a threat to privacy. The cookie will only contain information that you freely provide to a Web site.” You can set the level of security on your computer. Always be mindful what information you provide on the internet because chances are the information is being stored on your computer. It’s a good practice to occasionally delete your cookies and cache of previously viewed web pages. The more careful you are, the more secure your system will be.

Tip #4:

Video chatting can give a predator a lot of information. Clues to location are all around your child. A school logo on a t-shirt can lead the predator right to your child. Monitor who your child chats with and where they are chatting. Children don’t realize they are surrounded by clues to their location.

Tip #5:

Set ground rules! Monitoring your child on the Internet is not a violation of their privacy. You wouldn’t let them go off in a park with someone you didn’t know, would you? Communicate with your child and instruct them of security issues such as, clicking links received in an email. Don’t respond to emails from unknown persons. Make certain they understand to never give out their personal information to anyone online. Let them know, if they don’t know if something is safe, ask a trusted adult.

Tip #6:

Activate those parental controls! Software such as Qustodio, K9 Web Protection, and DNS Angel offer free parental control software. The more thorough you are, the more you, your child, and the electronic device is protected.

It’s always work keeping your child safe, whether it’s out on the street or in your home. Parents are the child’s first line of defense. If you don’t push back the offenders, they will surely find a way to breach the defense.  I wish safe and secure surfing for you and your precious child.

Toy Safety: Preventing Injuries to Children

Toy Safety: Preventing Injuries to Children

Robin @ Kids Matter

Choose safe toys.

·        Ensure that children play with age-appropriate toys, as indicated by safety labels. Consider the child’s interests and skill level, and look for quality design and construction.

·        Consider purchasing a small parts tester to determine whether or not small toys and objects in your home may present a choking hazard to young children.

Inspect all toys regularly for potential hazards.

·        Check regularly for damage that could create small pieces that are choking hazards. Make any necessary repairs immediately, or discard damaged toys out of children’s reach.

Watch for toys that can become hazards.

·        Young children should never play with toys with strings, straps, or cords longer than seven inches, which can accidentally strangle them.

·        Electrical toys are potential burn hazards. Children under age eight should not use toys with electrical plugs or batteries.

·        Don’t let children under age eight blow up balloons. Use Mylar balloons instead of latex balloons. If you must use latex balloons, store them out of reach of children, and deflate and discard after use.

·        Among children’s products, latex balloons are the number one cause of choking deaths.  A majority of these deaths are among children ages five and under.

Ensure that toys are used in a safe environment.

·        Riding toys should not be used near stairs, traffic, or swimming pools. Riding toy-related deaths can occur when a child falls from a toy or rides a toy into a body of water.

·        Always supervise children at play. Play is even more valuable when adults become involved and interact with children rather than supervising from a distance.

Make sure toys are stored safely.

·       Teach children to put toys away after playing. Ensure that toys intended for younger children are stored separately from those for older children.

·       Make sure toy chests have no lids or have safety hinges.

Prevention Strategies

·        Check the web site of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for updated information and pictures of recalled toys that may be harmful to children (www.cpsc.gov)

·        Return warranty and product registration forms for new toy purchases to the manufacturers to ensure that you will be notified of any recalls.

Please see Safe Kids for references.

“Let’s PLAY!”

“Let’s PLAY!”

By: BA @ Kids Matter

I lived in a small town when I was growing up; in a quiet neighborhood where everyone knew each other. We moved to that neighborhood when I was about four years old, and lived there until the summer of my senior year in high school. It was a nice, new, white house with a big yard, driveway to ride my bike, and roller skate. There were kids to play with… and summertime was just the best.

In those days,  school got out at the beginning of June and did not go back into session until the day after Labor Day. Ah, those were the days, my friend. If you have never had the opportunity to have a summer break for that long you have really missed out on something great. Summers would stretch out in front of us like a long and winding road. It was the days of sleeping in, eating breakfast late, watching “Howdy Doody” and “Uncle Al” then hitting the great outdoors for endless hours of pure enjoyment, fantasy, and magic. I had to be  practically dragged in for lunch and supper. Often, my mother would let me eat lunch on the front porch. I couldn’t stand to miss a moment of what was happening outside!

Play was the name of the game!  My best friend lived down the street and we literally spent every waking minute together. I walked to her house or she walked to mine.. And, we were followed everywhere by our pets.  I had a beagle named Missy and she had a little bulldog named Skipper.

 At my house, we played dolls and each of us had a “house” on either side of the front porch.  We had tea parties and dressed up in our mother’s (donated) high heels, jewelry, and dresses.  If we played bride then sheer curtains were our dress and veil. We also played with our doll houses under the big tree in the front yard. Sometimes we were allowed to play in the sprinkler and would laugh and squeal as the cold water sprayed us.

 She lived on a farm (yes, there was one in town) and at her house we spent hours riding our bicycles up and down the long driveway, making a playhouse out of the chicken coop, looking for little fish in the stream that ran through the property, climbing trees, and putting on  talent shows on the loading chute.  We also mastered walking along the top rail of the horse fence surrounding the property.

At night, we played hide and seek and hunted lightening bugs. We walked the railroad tracks that ran through our neighborhood. Our mother’s didn’t worry about us because if we did anything wrong, a neighbor would be there to reprimand and then tell our parents! Neighbors were also there to lend a hand if we got hurt or when we needed someone to talk to. I was an only child and my friend had two sisters and a brother.  It seemed like one huge family. It was a great time to be a kid! 

We each had to be home by 10:00 p.m. to wash up and go to bed. There was no such thing as air conditioning so it was shorty pajamas and a black metal fan to cool me on those long hot nights. I would drift off listening to the sound of that fan. I never remember being uncomfortable (probably because I was so tired from playing all day). 

As we grew older our playtime changed; boys became part of our growing circle of friends. We played wiffle ball and had endless tournaments. We challenged kids from other neighborhoods to play against us.  At night we would play badminton, or my all-time favorite, croquette. We were allowed to walk to the library and stop for ice cream at the “ten cent store”. If it was a rainy day, we would meet on my friend’s covered front porch and play board games.  Anyone who came by would stop and play. 

Soon we became interested in those boys that we had been playing with for years.  They magically started to look different in our eyes and we developed secret crushes on a new boy every week. We walked to the local movie theater. The boys sat behind us and would later follow us to the drug store for a coke. We spent Saturday mornings at the local bowling alley.  The boys were there, too.  We went to the local pool and sure enough, those boys would show up and show off. If there was a slumber party, you could bet that boys would be hiding outside and tapping on the window until someone’s mother caught them and sent them running home.  Being a “tween” in the summer was so much fun. It was all so sweet and innocent. It was all so easy and peaceful.   

My friend and I shared many, many, many summers together… many good times that we will never forget. When we entered high school we each had different activities. She was a cheerleader and I was a color guard in the band.  Our friends grew to include lots and lots of other people and we slowly began to drift apart. Her life went one way and mine went another. The funny thing about it is that we are still friends, even though we rarely see each other. The impact we had on each other as we were growing up is still with us. We shared so much together back then… and now we have those fond memories to share. We could probably pick up right where we left off. I know we could.

Now that’s an idea… “Hey Carolyn, grab your dollhouse and come on over. I have a big tree in my backyard. Let’s PLAY!!”

Want To Make A Difference? Sure you do!

Want To Make A Difference?  Sure you do!

BA @ Kids Matter

Have you ever thought about how a small gesture on your part can make a big difference in someone else’s day and maybe even in their life?  It happens all of the time. Sometimes it’s deliberate, meticulously planned out, and sometimes it’s spontaneous.  You get on the elevator and smile at a stranger, you speak to a person on the street, or you throw a few coins into the cup of a street performer. Maybe it’s donating to the local food bank. You offer your neighbor a ride, read a child a story… the list can go on forever.  Most of the time, these deeds are just simple things that you would do normally.  This time of the year seems to bring out the best in people. 

People want to help… and generally, they just need to be asked.  The Child Care Council of Kentucky is asking you to spread some of your generosity to help provide quality education for children who are in early care (birth to age five).  The Child Care Council of Kentucky provides training to the teachers of young children in a large region of Kentucky. 

Many children, nowadays, spend the better part of their day with a child care provider.  These dedicated early care professionals are working along with parents to build a strong foundation of learning for those little ones in care, however, research shows that many children enter school for the first time unprepared to succeed.  Early care professionals MUST receive the education and training necessary to prepare children for school!

You know it and I know it… all children DESERVE quality child care provided by well-educated caregivers.  Take a moment on Giving Tuesday (Dec 3, 2013) and make a donation for the quality education of all young children.

Investing, even a small amount, can pay off with a big gain for our children.  Help the Child Care Council of Kentucky.  Make a deliberate decision, by clicking on the link below, to donate to a cause that will directly improve children’s school readiness:  

http://www.razoo.com/story/Kids-Matter-Giving-Tuesday

Thank you and always remember that KIDS MATTER®

From The Director’s Chair: How to Cook a Turkey

From The Director’s Chair: How to Cook a Turkey

Julia @ Kids Matter

          As we all know, fall has come! Mother Nature has certainly changed from her short shorts and flip flops and brought in some seriously colder than normal temps! It is October, but we are having November-like weather here in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.  Naturally being a HUGE fan of colder weather, I find myself daydreaming of all things fall and winter!

          I am even listening to Christmas music…SHHH! Don’t tell anyone! I am a bit ashamed of it personally, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE the holidays! Halloween is upon us and Christmas is 2 months away! But wait! There is a very important fall holiday in between... The ever popular and important Thanksgiving. The American ‘My Diet can sit on a tack’ holiday where we eat, watch football, fight with family, and give thanks for all of the above.

          Now, while you are sitting there flipping through the latest Paula Deen or Martha Stewart mag for new recipes there is a very significant recipe you need to bring to your classrooms. How to Cook a Turkey!

          Preschoolers and Pre-Kindergartners absolutely LOVE this Thanksgiving project. When I was in the classroom, I did this activity every year. We always did journal entries in my classrooms before lunch.  Every day I would give them a topic for their journals. They would draw what their story or entry was about. They would then bring the picture to me or my assistant and we would ask, “Tell me about your picture?” It is vital that you know to ask that question.  Never ask a child, “What is this?”  A child sees it clear as glass for what it is, and they expect you, their mentor, to know as well.

          This now brings me to the journal entry I looked forward to all year. “Class, today’s journal topic is, ‘How to Cook a Turkey.’ I would like for you to think very hard about what you will need to stuff the turkey, how to cook it, and how long it will need to cook. Begin please.”

          For ten minutes, they would color, draw, giggle, and change paper, until they had the best recipe they could muster. I would await their pictures like a kid at Christmas. And soon, I would be awarded with the first drawing. I did this exercise for many years, but one child stands out as being my favorite. I still, to this day, remember every word. I know I must have read it half a million times, and it hung on my bulletin board until Christmas. Now, put those expensive holiday cooking magazines down and follow this recipe to the “T” for turkey!

“How to Cook a Turkey” By Andy, age four

Me: Okay Andy, tell me about your picture. And let me just say, it look fabulous.

Andy: Thanks Miss Julila, I have a feeling about this one.

Me: You do? How so?  Walk me through it, if you please.

Andy: Well, you have to cook a turkey in the oven at 7000 degrees. Then you have to yell at Dad to get off his duff and vacuum the living room already because his mother will be there soon, and the Packers will probably win anyway. See, there is Dad watching the Packers. Then you stuff it {the turkey} with chicken nuggets, gummy worms, cupcakes, catsup, French fries, pizza, and a sundae that comes in a small baseball hat. Then Dad comes in and smells it and says it’s perfect and it’s done.

Me: How long does it take to cook a turkey at 7000 degrees?

Andy: Ten minutes!

Me: Really? That’s it? Ten minutes?

Andy: That’s all buddy!

Me: What do you like to eat with your turkey for Thanksgiving?

Andy: Orange potatoes and eggs.

Me: Okay.

Andy: And pie.

Me: Do you have a favorite type of pie?

Andy: Apple is good, but only if it is cold.  I don’t want ice cream melting it.

Me: Well, is there anything else you would like to tell me about cooking a turkey Andy?

Andy: Yeah, it has to be ortantic {organic} or else my aunt will get fat.

Me: Awesome. You sir, are Awesome Sauce!

Andy: You are Awesome Turkey Miss Julila! Can I play Blocks now?

          Now, imagine that conversation about 24 times… It really doesn’t get much cooler than that. They have such a wonderful time with journals, but you have to write down everything they say! So, you must be able to write quickly! What they are saying is sheer gold!

          Next time, I plan on bringing a little décor and cooking tips. I love to cook/bake, and this time of year I start to try new recipes for T-Day. Until then, start journals in your classroom, get young minds creatively thinking, and ask a three or four year old how to cook a turkey. You will never laugh harder in your life.

Well, that is all for now from The Director’s Chair…

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!