Family Fun
Spooky Family Fun
Posted on October 31st, 2011
This year, plan a simple party that’s easy on the planet without skimping on the creepy fun. Kids of all ages can get in on Halloween festivities that are spooky and green.
DIY Ghost and Scarecrow
Put those old sheets to use and turn them into eerie ghosts that will transform any Halloween gathering. Stuff sheets with newspaper, rags or leaves and tie with twine or string. Hang from the ceiling or prop against the wall with broom handles. Out-of-date suits can be filled with hay and newspaper for a quick and creepy scarecrow. Put him on your front stoop to scare away naughty trick or treaters. Prom dresses or ball gowns also add a ghostly feeling to any Halloween party when hung from the ceiling with invisible twine.
Costume Swap
Skip the disposable plastic costumes for you and your little ones and host a costume swap instead. Invite friends and family – entice them with a promise of punch and cookies or make it a pot-luck – and request that everyone bring a gently used costume or costume component. Place all items in the center of the room and let the digging begin! What’s old to one person can be brand new to another. What a perfect way to keep costumes in circulation and out of landfills.
Jack-o-lantern Painting Party
Butchering a pumpkin doesn’t work for everyone. If your crowd isn’t comfortable wielding knives, forget the blades and pick up a paintbrush instead. Host a pumpkin painting party! Invite kids and parents and either supply pumpkins of all sizes or request that everyone BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin). Acrylic paints work well on pumpkins, as do Sharpie® markers.
Creepy Cookie Decorating
Everyone loves cookies. Everyone loves decorating cookies. Get into the Halloween spirit by creating sweet treats in your own kitchen. Whip up a batch of simple sugar cookie dough or find the pre-made stuff in your grocery dairy aisle. Break out the Halloween-themed cookie cutters – think: witches, ghosts, pumpkins and bats (if you don’t have a set check out Ebay® or make your own out of cardboard). As the cookies cool, set up a decorating bar with white frosting for glue, chocolate chips, sprinkles, raisins and any other edible items that strike your Halloween fancy. Boo!
