D.B.
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Hello Ladies,
I know this may seem a bit early to ask this question, but I'm not one that likes to wait until the last minute on things. Me and my sister would like to having a halloween party for our kids. But the problem is her kids are 14 & 12, and my mine are 8 & 2. I'm not so worried about the 2 year old having things to do as much as combining the activites for the 14, 12 & 8 yeasr old. We would like to have a costume party, games, a scavenger hunt, and a hay ride for them. They will be inviting friends over also. I need decoration ideas, games, and ideas for a scavenger hunt (this will be in a wooded area). We will be working off of a some what budget. So if you have any ideas please share. Expensive ideas to no cost ideas are welcome!! Thanks in advance ladies!!
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I LOVE Oriental Trading Company for party decorations, prizes, novelty items for gift bags, etc. They have all kinds of stuff and the best part is they're cheap! (great for almost any budget!)
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HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/shared/sharedFlowContro...
TOYS AND GAMES (TO DO AT PARTY OR FOR GOODIE BAGS) http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/shared/sharedFlowContro...
Check out their whole halloween section at this link: http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.d...
You can do some amazing decorations with cheap fabric. Some acid green, wizard purple, and black sheets can do all kinds of things. Don't underestimate the versatility of construction paper, particularly black for bats and cats in windows. Avoid votive luminary's around kids. Martha Stewart has some great ideas on her website.
Basically, a good party can be made with yummy treats and scary stories and extended bedtime. Read some Alfred Hitchcock to refresh your memory.
One idea for you:
The older ones would love a haunted house to hand out candy. This will keep them busy while you tend to the smaller ones. Just start now collecting old sheets you can tack/tie onto trees. You can also use cardboard boxes, flashlights and spiderwebs. Definitely get some strobe lights, fog or bubble machines and Halloween cd's for special effects. Get the younger kids involved decorating the day before, that way they won't be scared and just have fun with it.
One year we decorated our garage using the above materials to pass out candy. My husband dressed in a trench coat, black boots and a scary mask. He held a big bowl of candy in the far end of the garage and beckoned everyone to come get their candy in a spooky voice. The older kids and parents loved it, but the little ones were too scared to go in. For the little ones he took off his mask and came out to them. We had friends dress up too and hide behind objects draped with sheets to jump out at the older kids. It didn't cost much and was the talk of the neighborhood!
I have a nephew who's birthday is the 26th and for the past 3 years, they've had his party at a pumpkin patch. One of the crafts they have is making your own scarecrow. All of the kids bring a long-sleeved shirt and pants or overalls. They tie the shirt at the wrists and pants at the ankles and stuff them full with straw. The farm owners already have heads made that are small stuffed cloth bags with a stick poking out of the bottom to stick into the neckhole of the shirt. The kids get to draw on a face and then the scarecrow is complete. They're really cute and the kids love them.
Your ideas all sound great & will work for different ages. And it is never too soon to be thinking Halloween!!
Scavenger hunt:
Make two separate lists for the different age groups. Set them up in adjacent areas of the woods.
Decorations:
I just saw Cheese Cloth on sale at Hancock Fabrics (gauze-type stuff) perfect for Mummies, or general decorating. It can be torn or dyed (stuff it in a pot of old coffee grounds and boil it to age it) Or used over another cloth for the table, or as curtains etc...
If you sign up at the fabric stores they always send out 40% coupons & have lots of spooky fabrics.
Spooky Food:
Use black Pasta (dyed with squid ink, but tastes like regular) I found a little book in the check out lane, my kids made hot dog mummies by wrapping crescent roll dough around the hot dog - very cute, not so nutritious, but cute.
Gargoyle eggs!! My fav dish for Halloween.
cook hard boiled eggs as usual except add to the water a cup of frozen blueberries. After the eggs cook, crack the shells with the back of a spoon then let them soak in the blueberry water for another 10 or 15 minutes. I present them on a dish with shredded lettuce, I fry a potato nest, and put grape tomatoes on it for color.
Check out Martha Stewart for some great ideas & google your subjects (spooky food/Halloween decorations, etc)
for more inspiration!
I could go on forever...
Have fun!
P
