For kids, Halloween runs a close second to Christmas morning on the fun meter. And why not? Not only is the centerpiece of this festive October holiday candy, candy and more candy, but the kids get to dress up in costumes and pretend to be their favorite super hero, cartoon character or video villain. No wonder adults love to celebrate Halloween, too! But at it's heart, Halloween is for kids, so amp up the fun factor with a party they'll remember well into the next year.
Halloween Party Invitations
The Halloween party invitations should go out at least two weeks prior to the day of the party, but no earlier than four weeks prior. This affords guests enough time to plan ahead, but not so much time that the party is forgotten. Choose kid-friendly invitations that are bright, colorful and relay a sense of Halloween fun, like a smiling ghost or Frankenstein monster. The invitations should offer some hint of what to expect at the party. Indicate that there will be games, food, candy, prizes and, of course, remind the kids to come in costume.
Halloween-Themed Food Ideas
Take it up a notch from a basic square-sandwich and potato chip children's luncheon. Go ahead and prepare the sandwiches that kids enjoy like peanut butter and jelly and pimiento cheese, then use Halloween cookie cutters to cut the sandwiches into holiday shapes. Kids will love eating the bats, ghosts, cat and witch sandwiches. Choose side dishes in orange and gold Halloween colors like cheesy chips or crackers, orange slices, carrot sticks, Jell-O and deviled eggs.
Halloween Treats
No Halloween party is complete without a yummy selection of treats.
- Cupcakes are perfect. Kids love them and they can be decorated in so many ways. Start by whipping up batches of yellow and chocolate-cake cupcakes. Slather them with swirling mounds of orange, gold and black frosting and top each one with a Halloween candy or candy sprinkles.
- Cookies are another treat for which the kids go wild. Use Halloween-shaped cookie cutters to create chocolate-chip ghosts, peanut butter cats and sugar-cookie witches. Decorate the cookies with frosting, edible glitter or fondant. Fondant can be purchased pre-made and is incredibly versatile and creative.
- Candy, candy, don't forget the candy. Place a large bowl in the center of the buffet table and fill it with miniature-sized boxes, bags and bars of candy. Pepper side tables with dishes of orange and black jellybeans and M & Ms.
Halloween Decorations
Set the mood before the kids even enter the party. Helium-filled Halloween balloons atop the mailbox will signal the fun that awaits them inside. This is a kid's party, so the decorations should be more Halloween-cute than scary. Adorn the party room with black and orange streamers, balloons, and paper pumpkins, goblins and witches. Set the table with Halloween tablecloths, paper plates, cups and napkins and scatter a few rubber spiders over the table.
Halloween Games
Don't rule out old-fashioned Halloween games. Adults may be thoroughly familiar with these traditions, but to kids they're brand new and tons of fun. Let the kids bob for apples and play pin the tail on the kitty. And the pièce de résistance: Blindfold the kids and let them stick their hands in bowls of brains (spaghetti), eyeballs (grapes) and bones (stick candy). Remember that one? The kids will love it.
There's nothing more fun for kids than a traditional Halloween party with all the trimmings. Make it a day to remember, and end it by sending each child home with little treat bag filled with Halloween candy or a wrapped candied apple.
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