Tag: Halloween

58 Non-Candy Ideas for Halloween

Halloween is a great autumn holiday for children of all ages. Are you participating in a truck or treat event, hosting a party, or handing out goodies on Halloween night? Unfortunately, some children cannot have candy due to dietary restrictions or allergies. Offering non-candy options provide an alternative for trick-or-treaters. If you need inspiration, check out the following non-candy ideas for Halloween.

I bought these at Walmart.

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

  1. LED Halloween rings
  2. Halloween pencils
  3. Pumpkin erasers
  4. Temporary tattoos
  5. Halloween stickers
  6. Glow-in-the-dark vampire teeth
  7. Slime
  8. Small plush toys
  9. Bouncy balls
  10. Hair scrunchies
  11. Spider rings
  12. Halloween miniature stampers
  13. Bubbles
  14. Bookmarks
  15. Lego figures
  16. Mini art kits
  17. Reusable straws
  18. Key chains
  19. Halloween activity pads
  20. Mini bottles of water
  21. Drink packets (these go good with the water)
  22. Halloween coloring books
  23. Pop fidget toys
  24. Halloween glasses
  25. Foam putty
  26. Glow sticks
  27. Stretchy skeletons
  28. Slap bracelets
  29. Miniature Play-Doh
  30. Rubber duckies
  31. Mini note pads
  32. Slinkies
  33. Punch balloons
  34. Halloween balloons
  35. Halloween wind-up toys
  36. Yo-Yos
  37. Mini nail polishes
  38. Whistles
  39. Kazoos
  40. Mini paratroopers
  41. Sidewalk chalk
  42. Colorful shoelaces
  43. Grow a bugs
  44. Finger Puppets
  45. Mini Books
  46. Mini Flashlights
  47. Halloween crayons
  48. Spin tops
  49. Hot Wheel or Matchbox Cars
  50. Halloween Jewelry
  51. Glider airplanes
  52. Fake mustaches
  53. Miniature puzzles
  54. Button pins
  55. Bead kits
  56. Mini water squirters
  57. Marbles
  58. Wrist bands

Happy Halloween!

64 Ideas for Your 2022 Halloween Bucket List

Do you love the spooky season? Are you looking to have more Halloween fun this October? Create a Halloween-themed bucket list with your family or friends. If you need inspiration, check out the following ideas for your 2022 Halloween bucket list.

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  1. Decorate for Halloween
  2. Make and send out Halloween cards.
  3. Visit your local pumpkin patch.
  4. Carve pumpkins.
  5. Bake pumpkin seeds.
  6. Try a new pumpkin recipe.
  7. Give out Boo gifts.
  8. Create a spooky playlist.
  9. Host or attend a Halloween party.
  10. Make your own Halloween costume.
  11. Try bobbing for apples.
  12. Read a thriller or horror novel.
  13. Go on a haunted hayride.
  14. Create and hang a spooky wreath.
  15. Hand out candy on Halloween night.
  16. Participate in Trunk-or-Treat
  17. Make Halloween slime.
  18. Make Halloween play dough.
  19. Purchase a Halloween mug for hot cocoa or mulled cider.
  20. Join or watch a zombie walk.
  21. Visit a haunted fun house.
  22. Attend a murder mystery dinner.
  23. Bake pumpkin bread.
  24. Hike a haunted trail.
  25. Navigate through a Halloween-themed corn maze.
  26. Create a Halloween tree.
  27. Go on a haunted tour.
  28. Look at local decorations.
  29. Eat a Halloween-themed meal by candlelight.
  30. Binge-watch the entire series of The Adams Family or the Munsters (or both)
  31. Host a bonfire and tell scary ghost stories.
  32. Create a Halloween-themed gingerbread house.
  33. Take an evening walk with flashlights. (Many local or state parks host events around Halloween)
  34. Watch: “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.”
  35. Create a Halloween village.
  36. Paint a pumpkin.
  37. Wear Halloween colors: orange and black.
  38. Host a movie night with Halloween-themed snacks.
  39. Make Halloween masks.
  40. Visit an escape room.
  41. Do a Halloween-themed photoshoot.
  42. Host a Halloween crafting session.
  43. Make Soul Cakes.
  44. Write your own Halloween story.
  45. Go look at local Halloween decorations.
  46. Attend a Boo at the Zoo event.
  47. Host a Halloween scavenger hunt.
  48. Watch: “Hocus Pocus” 1 & 2
  49. Host a Halloween crafting session.
  50. Host a Witches’ Tea
  51. Attend a Pumpkin weigh-off competition.
  52. Dance to “Monster Mash” & “Thriller”
  53. Get your face painted at a local event.
  54. Wear Halloween pajamas.
  55. Eat candy corn.
  56. Make pumpkin pancakes.
  57. Bake Halloween cookies.
  58. Participate in a Halloween fun walk or Run 5K
  59. Make paper Mache pumpkins.
  60. Tie-dye a t-shirt orange and black.
  61. Go to a Halloween parade.
  62. Make popcorn balls.
  63. Make a costume for your pet.
  64. Paint Halloween-themed rocks to hide around the neighborhood.

Happy Halloween!

75 Hashtags for Halloween

The spooky season is here! Who loves October and Halloween? The month brings costumes, scary movies, haunted houses, hayrides, parties, pumpkins, and candy. All are perfect opportunities for social media posts. Along with pictures, hashtags are a wonderful way to attract people to your posts. If you need inspiration, check out the following hashtags for Halloween.

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  1. #Halloween
  2. #Halloween2022
  3. #HappyHalloween
  4. #Spooky
  5. #October
  6. #October2022
  7. #October31
  8. #31October2022
  9. #SpookySeason
  10. #HalloweenLover
  11. #HalloweenSeason
  12. #HalloweenLife
  13. #HalloweenMovies
  14. #Witch
  15. #WitchyVibes
  16. #HalloweenVibes
  17. #HalloweenDog
  18. #HalloweenBaby
  19. #OctoberBaby
  20. #HalloweenTime
  21. #HalloweenCandy
  22. #HalloweenFavorite
  23. #CandyCorn
  24. #HalloweenDecor
  25. #HalloweenStyle
  26. #HalloweenEveryDay
  27. #ILoveHalloween
  28. #HalloweenHouse
  29. #TrickOrTreat
  30. #SmellMyFeet
  31. #HalloweenGoals
  32. #HalloweenCouple
  33. #HalloweenCostumes
  34. #HalloweenTraditions
  35. #HalloweenPumpkin
  36. #Pumpkin
  37. #JackOLatern
  38. #PumpkinPatch
  39. #TheGreatPumpkin
  40. #PumpkinPicking
  41. #PumpkinSeason
  42. #PumpkinSpice
  43. #HalloweenFun
  44. #HalloweenMonth
  45. #HalloweenObssesion
  46. #HalloweenIsComing
  47. #HalloweenCountDown
  48. #HalloweenOutfit
  49. #HomemadeHalloween
  50. #HalloweenFashion
  51. #HalloweenParty
  52. #HalloweenCookies
  53. #HalloweenFood
  54. #HalloweenDrinks
  55. #HalloweenMask
  56. #HalloweenNails
  57. #SpoookyNails
  58. #HalloweenMakeUp
  59. #Frankenstein
  60. #Wolfman
  61. #Mummy
  62. #Dracula
  63. #ClassicHalloween
  64. #HalloweenArt
  65. #HalloweenNight
  66. #AllHallowsEve
  67. #HalloweenSpirit
  68. #NoTricksJustTreats
  69. #HalloweenFriends
  70. #HalloweenHike
  71. #HalloweenSquad
  72. #Spooktacular
  73. #HangingWithMyWitches
  74. #Scary
  75. #HalloweenWedding

Have a great but spooky Halloween!

Drawing Prompts for Halloween

The spooky season is here! Are you ready to get creative? Drawing is a wonderful creative outlet for the entire family to enjoy. If you need inspiration on what to create, check out the following drawing prompts for Halloween.

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  1. Self-Portrait in a Halloween Costume
  2. Witch
  3. Witch’s Hat
  4. Cauldron
  5. Ghost
  6. Pumpkin Patch
  7. Jack O’Lantern
  8. Monsters or Creatures
  9. Magic
  10. Skeleton
  11. Halloween Scene
  12. Trick-or-Treaters
  13. Monster Party
  14. Mask
  15. Harvest
  16. Spooky Woods
  17. Haunted House
  18. Leaves (Colorful Foliage)
  19. Acorn
  20. Design a Trick-or-Treat Bag
  21. Scarecrow
  22. Mummy
  23. Webs with Spider
  24. Bat/Cat/Raven
  25. Vampire
  26. Graveyard
  27. Full Moon
  28. Owl
  29. Halloween Candy
  30. Artist’s Choice
  31. Happy Halloween!

Happy Drawing! Have a great Halloween!

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween!

I hope everyone has a safe and fun day!

Take care!

Rebecca

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7 Halloween Facts

Who remembers dressing up for Halloween as a kid? Together with your cousins, siblings, and neighborhood friends, running from house to house to get the most candy was a major part of Halloween. Annually on October 31st, millions of people celebrate Halloween. The history surrounding this spooky holiday is fascinating.

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1. Halloween’s Roots

Halloween has roots dating back to the ancient Celtic Festival. In Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, the celebration, known as Samhain, marked the end of the year. The pagan new year began on November 1, the start of the winter season. Bonfires, feasts, and animal sacrifices were a major component of the two-day celebration.

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2. Halloween Costumes

The tradition of dressing up in Halloween attire also stems from the Samhain festival. People would dress up to scare away ghosts. Unlike the material found in today’s costumes, the festival goers would wear animal heads and skins.

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3. Trick-or-Treating Tradition

Modern-day trick-or-treating is a concept from an activity known as “souling.”  As part of the Samhain festival, poor children would go from door to door to beg for food or money. In exchange for the small tokens, the children would pray for any recently departed loved ones connected to the home.

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4. Jack O’Lantern

The long-standing tradition of carving a pumpkin originates from the Irish folktale of Stingy Jack. After tricking the Devil repeatedly, Stingy Jack was left to walk the Earth throughout eternity. The Devil could not claim his soul. And God would not let such an unsavory person into heaven. The story continues with Stingy Jack walking the Earth with just a piece of burning coal to light his way which he placed inside a carved turnip. The Irish called the sight of Stingy Jack’s ghostly figure, “Jack of the Lantern.”

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5. Orange and Black

Halloween décor has a principal color theme, orange and black. The colors date back to the time of the Celts. The orange represents fall colors and the flames of bonfires during the celebrations. Whereas the color black represented the darkness of the upcoming winter season and death.

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6. Bobbing for Apples

The childhood party game had a different meaning in the 18th century. The ritual was meant to find a woman the suitor. Each apple was assigned to a specific gentleman. When a woman bobbed for an apple to take a bite, the outcome would be a date.

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7. Candy Corn or Chicken Feed

The original name for the tri-colored Candy Corn was chicken feed. George Renninger, an employee from the Wunderlee Candy Company was the first to sell the candy in 1880. Every year Americans purchase over twenty million pounds of Candy Corn.

Halloween is an interesting holiday with many traditions and lore. What is your favorite part of Halloween?

Reference:

http://www.History.com

Halloween Photography Tips for Lasting Memories

The old saying, “they grow up so fast” is true. Capturing childhood moments is essential for lasting memories. Halloween is one of those holidays, many children outgrow quickly. Do not let the opportunity go, take the time to photograph your children at Halloween.

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How to Get the Best Halloween Photos

1. Pre-Halloween Photo Shoot

Before Halloween, let your children try on their costumes.  Use this opportunity to plan a photo session.

  • Go to different places in your community to pose.
  • Use your child’s costume as a building block for finding the perfect place to pose. For example, Spiderman can easily pose on playground equipment.
  • Allow your child to get into character. Encourage impressions.

2. Be Patient

The big night is here, time for all the Halloween fun. Remember as you begin to take photos, be patient. Children are going to be excited about trick-or-treating or other Halloween events.

3. Document the Process from the Start

Do not wait until your children are dressed to take photos. Start snapping photos as soon as you begin to get ready for trick-or-treating. Often, the best photos come during the process of getting ready.

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4. Feature Props

Your photos need to include every part of your Halloween celebration.

  • If your child’s costume has props or special features, focus on them in a photo or two. The details always make the costumes.
  • Include decorations in your photos, your carved pumpkins or other yard decorations.
  • Take Halloween photos with your pets.
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5. Group Photo

Along with individual photos, get a group photo before trick-or-treating begins. Make sure to include yourself in one of the photos. Pose together before the sun goes down. Remember to use natural light to get the best photo. When you can, skip the flash.

6. Trick-or-Treating Photos

The main event is here.

  • Take numerous action photos of your children going from house to house. Avoid using flash.
  • Use streetlights or porch lights to add a glow effect.
  • Find a bright light to create silhouettes of your children in costume.  
  • Get photos from different angles.
Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev on Pexels.com

7. Last Photo of the Night

When returning home, get one last photo. Ask your children to show off their candy collection. Of course, some younger children may be asleep by the time you return home. Do not forget to get a photo. This is a perfect picture opportunity for the end of the night.

8. Get Creative with Editing

When editing photos, use special effects.

  • Use fog effect.
  • Convert to black and white photos.
  • Make certain colors stand out. Orange is a Halloween color. Turn photos of pumpkins black and white but keep the bright orange colors.
  • Use the soft-focus option to center on your children.

Happy Halloween! When out trick-or-treating, remember to have fun.

8 Alternatives to Trick-or-Treating

Are you going to pass on trick-or-treating this year? Do not worry, you are not alone. Many families forego trick-or-treating for numerous reasons. Chilly weather, scheduling conflicts, health and safety concerns, or the time of trick-or-treating are often big factors. Even without trick-or-treating, your Halloween can still be lots of fun.

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Trick-or-Treating Alternatives  

  1. Halloween Party: Throw your own Halloween party. Halloween costumes, treats, themed music, and games are a perfect combination for a night of fun.
  2. Bonfire Night: With or without costumes a bonfire night is a fun activity for the entire family to enjoy. Just be careful around the fire and don’t forget the S’mores.
  3. Movie Night: On a cold, rainy Halloween, cuddling under blankets, sipping hot cocoa, and watching It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a perfect evening.
  4. Candy Scavenger Hunt: Hide the candy. No, seriously hide the candy for a scavenger hunt. Kids love to search for “hidden treasures.” A candy scavenger hunt is a superb way to celebrate Halloween.
  5. Craft Day: Spend the day doing Halloween themed crafts. Even your local dollar store has Halloween themed craft products. Make masks, draw haunted scenes, or paint fake pumpkins for a day of Halloween fun.
  6. Community Event: If you are concerned about safety, attend a community sponsored event. Trunk-or-treat, pumpkin walk, or Halloween at the zoo are great sponsored events for Halloween.
  7. Halloween-Themed Baking: Bake Halloween treats together. Deliver treats to neighbors. Or use the Halloween-themed goodies as part of your movie night.
  8. Halloween Pail:  A Halloween bucket is like an Easter basket. Grab a Halloween themed bucket and fill it with your kids’ favorite treats. Controlling the amount of candy is the best part. Add books, magazines, small toys, or other themed goodies to fill the bucket.

Yes, trick-or-treating is a fun part of childhood. When the weather or other issues get in the way, finding the best alternative to trick-or-treating is a fantastic way to celebrate Halloween

A Game of Halloween Charades

Are you looking for a fun interactive game to celebrate Halloween? Charades is a classic, easy-to-play game. Start by sorting your guests into two teams of equal amounts. Pick a timekeeper. Generally, a person has 2 to 3 minutes to act out the phrase. But if you have younger children, you may need extra time.

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Halloween Charade Ideas

A Halloween-themed game of charades is easy to plan. Simply write out book titles, movies, phrases, or words on pieces of paper in a bowl. If you need some inspiration, check out the following list of Halloween charade ideas.

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  1. Hocus Pocus
  2. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
  3. Witch’s Cauldron
  4. Ghost
  5. Black Cat
  6. Graveyard
  7. Werewolf howling at the moon
  8. Skeleton
  9. Scarecrow
  10. Carving a Pumpkin
  11. The Monster Mash
  12. Mad Scientist
  13. Thriller
  14. Stirring a cauldron
  15. Vampire
  16. Frankenstein
  17. Bats flying at noon
  18. Full moon
  19. Visiting a haunted house
  20. Zombie walk
  21. Halloween candy
  22. Caramel apples
  23. Bobbing for apples
  24. Monster
  25. Mummy
  26. Mask
  27. Fangs
  28. Night of the Living Deas
  29. Pumpkin patch
  30. Trick-or-treating

Charades require a little acting but gain a lot of laughs.

32 Classic Movies to Watch for Halloween

Are you looking for something to watch for Halloween? Go old school. Classic monster or alien movies are a fun way to enjoy a cozy night in.  Pop some popcorn, cuddle under a blanket, and enjoy one of these old-time favorites.

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(Please note: As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases).

  1. Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
  2. Abbot and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951)
  3. Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955)
  4. Dracula (1931)
  5. Frankenstein (1931)
  6. The Mummy (1932)
  7. Son of Dracula (1943)
  8. Werewolf of London (1935)
  9. Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943)
  10. The Mummy’s Ghost (1944)
  11. The House of Frankenstein (1944)
  12. The Wolf Man (1941)
  13. The Mummy’s Tomb (1942)
  14. House of Dracula (1945)
  15. The Mummy’s Curse (1944)
  16. The Phantom of the Opera (1943)
  17. The Indivisible Man (1933)
  18. The Indivisible Man Returns (1940)
  19. The Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
  20. Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
  21. Them! (1954)
  22. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)
  23. Island of the Lost Souls (1932)
  24. The Thing from Another World (1951)
  25. The House on Haunted Hill (1959)
  26. The House of Dracula (1958)
  27. Nosteratu (1922)
  28. The Curse of Frankenstein (1957)
  29. The House of Usher (1960)
  30. The Birds (1963)
  31. It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955)
  32. 20 Millions Miles to Earth (1957)

Do you have a favorite that is not on the list?