HALLOWEEN PARTY PLANNING AND DECORATING
As with most events, you should try and give yourself a minimum
of 4 weeks to plan your party. This allows plenty of time for ordering
on-line party supplies, cake orders invitations etc.
However planning a Halloween party is much easier than most,
because you already know your theme.


HALLOWEEN PARTY GAMES & ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
Use one of these simple party games as an ice-breaker
or to settle the kids down when your party is coming to an end.

How Many ?
Fill a jar with candy corn and have each guest write down their best guess as to how many candies are in the jar. This is a good game to play at the beginning of the party, as guests filter in. Announce the winner
at the end of the party--They win the jar!
Try candy bars instead of candy corn - much tastier!

Quick Recall
Place theme related items on a tray. Show the tray to the guests for a 
few seconds. Players write down or call out as many items as they can remember. Play this same game with a twist--Take an item away -can they recall what's missing?

How Many Words...
can you make from SCARECROW or JACK-O-LANTERN.
For older kids only. Use a write-on wipe-off board for group play or distribute paper and pencils.

"LET'S GET PHYSICAL"
Halloween Party Games to keep kids moving!
Prepare two to three Halloween party games ahead of time.
It's always a good idea to have an extra activity ready 
"just in case". Kids are unpredictable and you need to be flexible. 
If a game is not working or being enjoyed...move on to another.

The Great Popcorn Challenge
Set out bowls full of popcorn at one end of the room, 
empty bowls at another. Teams must transport the 
popcorn from the full bowl to empty, using a measuring cup. 
Note: popcorn is a choking hazard for children under three.

Cotton-ball Scoop Fill large mixing bowls with cotton balls and give each 
guest a spoon. Kids must scoop out as many cotton balls as possible in one minute - without using fingers!

Pin The Nose...  
on the Jack-o-Lantern, Stem-on-the-Apple, Hat-on-the-Scarecrow, or a variation best suits your party theme.

Halloween Parade
Let the kids show off their Halloween finery with a game of follow the leader while having a parade.

Bobbing for Apples and Doughnut String Game
These two traditional Halloween party games have stood the test of time!

Fill a large tub with water and several apples. The players must try to bite" into and "catch" and apple while holding their hands behind their backs. Don't forget to have some towels handy.

Using string, hang mini or regular doughnuts from the ceiling or a tree.
The object of the game is to be the first to eat the doughnut with out
using your hands! Do not use powdered or cinnamon doughnuts.
Plain is the safest!

MORE HALLOWEEN GAMES & ACTIVITIES

HALLOWEEN PARTY CRAFT IDEAS FOR KIDS

If your hosting several children such as a classroom or scout troop,
consider purchasing a prepared craft kit. The children will have just
as much fun but it will keep the chaos down to a minimum.

Mask Making
Use paper plates a hole punch and scissors to cut a mask.
Decorate with glitter glue, gel pens, markers, glue, odds 
and ends of fabric, feathers etc....

Silly Hats
Pick up old hats from a thrift store. 
Decorate with glue, ribbon, glitter etc.

Play Dough
Make a batch of orange play dough. Set it out on a table with Halloween cookie cutters and wooden dowel pieces for rolling.

MORE HALLOWEEN CRAFT IDEAS FOR YOUR PARTY

Kit's Halloween Party Tips:
Simple or elaborate, which ever decorating style you choose needs to fit into your schedule, party space and the age of the kids.
The success of your party will be the fun activities, so don't let this be a sources of stress. Older kids may enjoy a spooky motif with Halloween props; cobwebs, gravestones, spiders an such.
When hosting younger children, keep your decorations simple with a black and orange color scheme, balloons, streamers and cute Halloween images.

Cover your table with a Halloween table cloth, fabric or even a white sheet.
Create your own festive table centerpiece by tying a bouquet of Halloween balloons to a pumpkin. Group a few more smaller pumpkins in various sizes
around the larger pumpkin. We always group items in three's.
Add color by scattering candy corn down the center of the table.
Provide small pumpkin treat holders or pumpkin cookies with the guests names at each place setting.

If your tired of the same old black and orange colors...try adding purple, orange, green and yellow. Your local fabric store will have Halloween fabric deeply discounted at this time. Pick up several yards in a variety of patterns to use a table runner, to drape on chairs, or cover your door and possibly furniture. It really sets the stage for a fun party!