Do you have any advice for Halloween crafts and games for my kids (5 and 8)

Getting the kids involved with the planning makes Halloween even more fun!  Here are some activities that the kids will enjoy – you too!

1. Make an Event Out of Pumpkin Picking.  Yes, you can pick up a pumpkin at the local supermarket – and that’s great if you’re in a bind. But it’s much more fun if you can make an event of it. Look online for a pumpkin patch event in your area, or search for a nearby orchard offering pumpkin picking, hay rides and apple cider. Organize a date to go with good friends and you’ll enjoy it that much more.

2. Have Pumpkin Carving Contest.  Invite good friends and neighbors over the weekend before Halloween to see who can carve the most interesting, or scariest, or funniest jack-o-lantern. If small kids will be attending, be sure to have mini pumpkins and magic markers on hand so that they can participate too.

3. Add a Smile to the Serving Table.  If you’re thinking of throwing a party this year, do something a little different and use small pumpkins as serving dishes. Hollow them out and carve a jagged edge in the top. Put saran wrap on the inside and voila – it’s a bowl! If you need to keep something cool, place a small plastic bag of ice in the bottom.

4. Get a Spooky Manicure.  It’s amazing what a few bottles of nail polish can do to help you get in the spirit. Women and girls can sport basic orange nails or try a fancier look with orange and black stripes. Men and boys can show their dark side with a black or brown manicure.

5. Play Hide the Pumpkin.  If you’re looking for a simple, but fun, Halloween game, try “hide the pumpkin.” All you need is a bunch of mini pumpkins, which you can usually get at your local grocery store around this time of year. Then hide them all over the house or in the yard and the person who finds the most wins a prize!