Tag: Halloween crafts

Halloween Crafts: Pumpkin Gourds

Have you seen the little gourds that resemble pumpkins? With Halloween fast approaching, the gourds, which often come 5 or 6 to a bag, are reduced in price. The little gourds are a perfect stay at home Halloween crating project.

Grocery & Material List

  • A bag of pumpkin-shaped gourds
  • Paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Glue
  • Glitter
  • Pipe cleaners
  • Pieces of material
  • Pompons
  • Googly eyes
  • Sequins

Instructions

Decorating pumpkin gourds is an open-ended Halloween craft project. There is no right or wrong way to decorate your little gourd. If you are looking for tips, check out the following.

  • Cover your work area with newspapers or your reusable crafting drop cloth.
  • Paint or decorate your pumpkin gourd.
  • Paint a face.
  • Make a crown from pipe cleaners.
  • Glue on googly eyes.
  • Use material scraps to add a cape on the back or a scarf around the bottom.
  • Remember to give your pumpkin plenty of time to dry between each type of application.
  • Display your pumpkin or give it away to cheer a friend.

 

Halloween Crafts: Pumpkin Suncatcher

Halloween is not canceled. The holiday is just a little different this year. For those staying close to home, finding other family-friendly activities is a great way to celebrate. With adult supervision, create pumpkin suncatchers to display outdoors or hang in your windows.

List of Materials

  • Pony Beads
  • Cake Pie (The round cake pans from dollar store ones work well. You do not have to worry about ruining your favorite cake pan.)
  • Nut (Use a nut to hang your suncatcher. Drilling a hole in your suncatcher is another option. But you always run the risk of cracking your finished project.)

Instructions

  • Place your pony beads in your desired design into the cake pan. Arranging your beads is the longest part. If you are having trouble placing your beads, use a toothpick to gently move them into position.
  • When you are ready, preheat your oven to 400˚F. Keep in mind, pony beads are plastic. As the beads melt, they give off a strong odor. Opening a window for proper ventilation is highly recommended.
  • Melt your beads for about 35 minutes.
  • When your beads are completely melted, remove from the oven.
  • Allow cooling.
  • Gently tap your pumpkin suncatcher out of the pan. Be careful; the bottom of the pan may still be warm to the touch.
  • Display proudly.

Halloween Crafts: Pumpkin Magnets

Are you staying close to home for Halloween? How about doing some Halloween-themed crafts. Pumpkin magnets are an open-ended craft project. There is no right or wrong way to do the pumpkin magnets. The possibilities are endless.

List of Materials

  • Wooden Circles

    Purchased these at Wal-Mart.
  • Glue
  • Orange, Green, and Black Paint (or any other colors you want to use)
  • Paint Brushes
  • Googly Eyes
  • Pipe Cleaners
  • Pom Poms
  • Glitter
  • Magnets

    Purchased these from Amazon. Please note: “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Instructions for Pumpkin Magnets

  1. Cover work area with newspaper.
  2. Paint circles your desired color.
  3. Allow your circle to completely dry.
  4. Add embellishments or paint your pumpkin’s face.
  5. Allow your pumpkin to completely dry.
  6.  Flip your pumpkin over to glue on the magnet.
  7. Allow your pumpkin to completely dry again.
  8. Display your final pumpkin craft.

No, Halloween is Not Canceled

Let’s repeat, Halloween is not canceled. Due to the pandemic, Halloween celebrations are different this year. Many areas are experiencing wide-spread cancellations of community events, including trick-or-treating. But, Halloween, a recognized holiday by millions, is not canceled.

Staying close to home provides the perfect opportunity to engage in other activities for your entire family to enjoy. Instead of celebrating Halloween on one night, spread out the activities during the whole month for extra fun.

Ideas for Halloween Fun

Do you need some inspiration to help celebrate Halloween? Check out the following list.

  • Decorate: Spend time decorating your yard, house, or room. Even small figures or handmade decorations provide a Halloween feel.
  • Halloween Crafts: Check out Pinterest for numerous family-friendly crafts for the whole family to enjoy.
  • Visit a Pumpkin Patch: Before heading out to your local pumpkin patch, check out the times and guidelines.
  • Pumpkin Carving:  Whether you went to a pumpkin patch or local supermarket, spend an afternoon carving your pumpkins.
  • Roast Pumpkin Seeds: Save and roast your pumpkin seeds for a delicious snack.
  • Look at Halloween Decorations: Walk (or drive) around your neighborhood to look at Halloween decorations.
  • Halloween-Themed Dinner: Make a spooky-themed dinner for your family or friends. Mummy hot dogs, ghost pancakes, blood-red juice, or pumpkin pie are just a few examples for a Halloween breakfast or dinner.
  • Movie Night: Host a family movie night with Halloween themed movies. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is always a traditional favorite.
  • Halloween Books: Read a Halloween story or make up a scary one of your own.
  • Halloween Playlist: Make a playlist of your favorite Halloween songs to play. Dancing and singing along to fun Halloween songs are a great way to enjoy the holiday.
  • Photo Session: Set up a backdrop (a plain old sheet works well). Get dressed up in your Halloween costumes, use props, and take lots of photos.
  • Scavenger Hunt: Hide Halloween candy or small toys. Place the items around your yard or home for a fun scavenger hunt.

Yes, repeat again. Halloween is not canceled; the holiday is just a little different this year. Pick one or numerous activities to enjoy Halloween over the whole month.

Throwing a Last Minute Halloween Party

Is the perspective Halloween forecast limiting your trick-or-treating options? Keep your children inside, throw a Halloween party. Planning an impromptu Halloween is the perfect way to celebrate on a cold, windy night. 

Tips for Last-Minute Halloween Party Planning 

The key to throwing a last-minute Halloween party is organization. Grab a tablet and begin to make plans. Do you need some help? Consider the following tips to make your party planning go smooth.

Guest List

The guest list is essential. Start by writing out a potential guest list. Begin calling, texting, or emailing the people on your list. If you are on Facebook, consider making a private group or invite page for the Halloween party. The group allows you to keep track of the number of people coming. Parents will be able to ask questions about the party. Most parents will ask what can they do to help. Do not be afraid to accept their help.  

Menu

When you get an estimate on the number of people attending, you can start food shopping. Finger food is always a party favorite. Mini sandwiches, snacks, and punch are simple treats for quick party planning. Or if your budget allows order pizzas. 

Craft Area

Set up a corner with different crafts for children to enjoy. The crafting material does not need to be elaborate or costly. 

  • Paint 
  • Paintbrushes 
  • Glue 
  • Glitter 
  • Pompons 
  • Markers 
  • Yarn
  • Googly eyes

Use small gourd-shaped pumpkins for painting. Or go to your local store to find some Halloween themed wooden cutouts. Even a posterboard can be a template for a spooky theme. Allow children to create and decorate. The party-goers will love the fact they get to take their creation home with them.

Games & Activities

Kids love to participate in fun, easy games. 

  • Long-Standing Tradition: Bobbing for apples is a Halloween tradition.
  • Ghost Toss: Make ghosts from white lunch bags.  Stuff the inside with newspaper or other lightweight material. Set up baskets to toss the ghosts in. 
  • Pumpkin Smile: Instead of Pin the Tail on the Donkey, play pin the smile on the pumpkin. Use large orange poster board to make a pumpkin cut out. Draw in the eyes and nose. Use yellow or black poster board to cut out mouths.
  • Scavenger Hunt: Hide Halloween themed items throughout the house. Make out clues that will lead your partygoers from one place to another. 
  • Ghost Hunt: Use tissue paper to wrap suckers in the shape of ghosts. Hide the ghosts throughout the house for your Halloween guests to find. 
  • Photo Booth or Display: Use a black sheet or other cloth to set up a photo area. Set out Halloween themed props. Designate someone at your party to be the official photographer.
  • Fear-Factor Inspired: Putting your hand in a box without knowing what is inside can be scary. Cold spaghetti noodles can pass for worms. Peeled grapes can be eyeballs. Just use your imagination. Or have some edible insects on hand for those who are brave enough to try. 

Take-Home Treat Bags 

Fill treat bags with goodies. The Halloween take-home bags do not necessarily have to be filled with just candy. Balls, fangs, spider rings, skeletons, puzzle pads, and other Halloween themed items are available. The size of the treat bags is entirely up to you. If you use the ghost toss game, the extra white bags are perfect for take-home treats. 

 

Halloween Bucket List

Halloween is just around the corner. Are you looking for something fun to do to put you in a witchy mood? Start by making a Halloween bucket list. Gather your family or friends to come up with the perfect list to make this Halloween memorable.

20 Halloween Bucket List Ideas

  1. Decorate or carve Pumpkins
  2. Eat toasted pumpkin seeds
  3. Go to a Haunted House
  4. Host a Family Movie Night (It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is always a favorite).
  5. Make pumpkin bread
  6. Make ghosts out of cheesecloth
  7. Create a monster from paper mache
  8. Watch a horror movie in the dark
  9. Attend a Halloween party
  10. Host a Halloween party
  11. Go on a ghost tour
  12. Go on a haunted hayride
  13. Go through a corn maze
  14. Dance to Halloween themed music
  15. Participate or attend a Halloween costume parade
  16. Attend a Halloween themed community event
  17. Make paper bat garland to hang in the house
  18. Decorate your entryway to entice trick-or-treaters
  19. Participate in or attend a trunk or treat
  20. Either hand out candy or go trick or treating

Halloween is about having fun. Connect with your inner child. Participate in Halloween activities.

Please note: “As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.”

Tips for Throwing a Last Minute Halloween Party for Kids

Are you considering hosting a Halloween party for your kids? Do you fear you do not have enough time to plan one? Kids like dressing up and being with friends on Halloween. A last-minute Halloween party for kids is simple with a little planning. Grab your favorite pen to begin making a list.

Invites

Mailing invites at this time may not be the best option. Thankfully, advanced technology provides alternatives for last minute Halloween party invites.

  • Call: A quick phone call explaining the last minute idea is a great way to include everyone on your list.
  • Text: Send out a text with all the details of the party.
  • Email: Sending invites via email results in instant deliver.
  • Social Media: Millions of people log into social media accounts every day. Facebook provides the option of creating event pages which are perfect for last minute invites. Or take advantage of the group option. Forming a group for an event is perfect for communicating with other parents. Providing security, users may set the privacy setting to closed or secret.

Menu

Create a food and beverage list. The list does not need to be extensive. Cake and ice cream are always two favorites among children.

  • Create a Sundae Bar: Set out bowls of different flavor ice creams or sherbet (for children who cannot have milk products). With adult supervision, allow children to add toppings including candy pumpkins, gummy worms, marshmallow ghosts, chocolate or caramel toppings.
  • Chips: Provide different varieties including plain, BBQ or cheddar.
  • Popcorn: Set out small bags of popcorn mixed with candy corn, pumpkins, or chocolate pieces.

If you set up a Facebook group, post a comment asking parents about food allergies. Provide alternatives to the main choices.

Many parents will ask to bring a snack or other type of party treat. When you keep all the information in one place, you will be able to keep track of the types of snacks or treats being brought to the Halloween party.

Decorations

Do not spend a large portion of your Halloween party budget on decorations.

  • Local Dollar Stores: Dollar stores are a great place to find decorations for lower costs. Make the Halloween party more festive by adding cobwebs, hanging bats, skeletons, witches and pumpkins.
  • Thrift Stores: Many people donate unused Halloween items to local thrift stores. Helping you save money, the slightly used decorations come at a reduced price.
  • Make Your Own: Creating your own Halloween decorations is perfect for family fun. Consider the endless possibilities including stuffing old clothing for a scarecrow, ghosts from white sheets, use poster board for signs, and more.

Activities

Offering a variety of activities or games is a great way to keep children engaged at your Halloween party.

  • Games: Finding the perfect Halloween themed games will depend on the ages of the children. Examples include creating a scavenger hunt, Halloween bingo, Pumpkin piñata, Lollipop ghost hunt, and more.
  • Craft Table: Setting up a Halloween craft table provides children the opportunity to make individual items to take home. For example, pumpkins, pumpkin-shaped gourds or Styrofoam pumpkins are ideal for decorating with googly eyes, yarn, sequins, glitter, buttons, markers or paint.
  • Trick-or-Treating: If your party falls on Halloween, take a walk around the block to participate in trick-or-treating at nearby homes.
  • Haunted Houses: If you have older children, visiting the local haunted house provides scares and memories.

Photos

In the years to come, photos will provide you with the opportunity to remember the past.

  • Party Photos: Ask someone to take photos throughout the party.
  • Photo Backdrop and Props: Design an area just for fun photos. Encourage selfies. Add a box of props to help encourage imagination.
  • Group Photo: Prior to the kids (and adults) leaving take a group photo.

If you created a Facebook group, sharing the photos with guests is simple. For extra fun, after the Halloween party, provide each child with a printed group photo.

Throwing a Halloween party is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday. Simple gatherings will create lasting memories for your family and the rest of the party guests. As the children start to head home, hand them a loot bag filled with Halloween surprises.

31 Ideas for October Fun

October weather often brings cool crisp days. The changing weather may not always be agreeable. Cold rainy days may keep you indoors. Sunny days may be perfect for enjoying the outdoors. Staying indoors or grabbing your favorite hoodie to head outside, October is the perfect month to try new things.

  1. Decorate for Halloween
  2. Host a Halloween themed craft day
  3. Plan and make your own Halloween costume
  4. Make and send Halloween cards (your mom or grandma will thank you)
  5. Have a family game night and serve Halloween related snacks (Monster cookies, anyone?)
  6. Attend a pumpkin weigh-off competition
  7. Go hiking or take a nature walk
  8. Go to a haunted house
  9. Go on a ghost tour
  10. Host a bonfire (make S’Mores)
  11. Pick fresh apples at the local orchard
  12. Go to the library or bookstore for Halloween themed books
  13. Drive or take a walk to view the different Halloween decorations
  14. Visit your local pumpkin patch
  15. Roast pumpkin seeds
  16. Attend a local Octoberfest
  17. Host a Halloween cartoon or family-friendly movie night
  18. Make Halloween cookies
  19. Bob for apples
  20. Host a classic monster movie night (Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Mummy)
  21. Drink hot cocoa, pumpkin spiced latte, or mulled apple cider on a cold October night
  22. Make Halloween themed gingerbread houses
  23. Make pumpkin bread
  24. Crave or paint pumpkins
  25. Host a Halloween themed photo session (the kids will enjoy testing out their new costumes)
  26. Host a scary movie night for adults
  27. Tell or write a ghost story
  28. Make popcorn balls
  29. Attend a Halloween parade
  30. Throw a Halloween party
  31. Go trick-or-treating

Enjoy the small celebrations, the memories will last a lifetime.

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