If you are feeling that Halloween is a tricky situation this year, you aren’t alone. If you decide to take your kids out then great! Or, if you stay at home and pull the curtains closed, that’s great too! It’s a difficult decision for parents. Either way, Halloween can still be a treat! See what I did there? Here are 5 easy and family friendly ideas in lieu of the customary door to door candy bonanza.
Staying In or Going Out?
In or out, it’s up to you! However, you can always partake in these suggestions in addition to your regular trick or treat traditions. Why not really up the spooky factor with these 5 easy and family friendly ideas?
Devilish Dinner-Decorate the table, dim the lights and serve up a spooktacular dining experience they’ll never forget! Create a menu. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. With a little imagination, good old spaghetti and meatballs can be transformed into bloody intestines and eyeballs. Pinterest is riddled with creepy canapes, ghostly goulashes, dastardly desserts and paranormal punches.
Diabolical Dance Party-Time to rattle them bones! Get up and start your own Transylvania Twist. But, there’s no need to play The Monster Mash and Thriller on repeat. Head over to Spotify or music streaming app of your choice for a curated playlist of Halloween howlers.
Ghoulish Glow Stick Candy Hunt-Okay, I don’t think the Easter Bunny will mind this terrifying twist on an Easter egg hunt! This is an easy activity for either inside or outside. Crack a slew of glow sticks and hide them with a piece of candy each. Then, simply, release the children! Suitable for littles in a controlled environment.
Bonus Idea: Pack a petrifying piñata full of ghoulish goodies then take turns whacking it to pieces!
Boo-tiful Bonfire-It’s time to throw your head back and howl at Saturday’s full moon. It’s the second full moon in October, making it a Blue Moon too! Conditions permitting, light up the old fire pit or propane fire bowl and share your scariest ghost stories. Up your s’mores game using some mini Kit Kat bars or other pilfered “treat-size” chocolate bars from your kids’ stash. No judgement. Heck, if the weather is bad, safely light some candles inside and throw those s’mores in the oven instead!
Macabre Movie Marathon-Round out the evening with a maniacal movie marathon. Okay, so maybe go easy on the hardcore horror films. I’m still recovering from The Hills Have Eyes. Here is a list of some more age appropriate and Halloween-y themed flicks:
1. Hocus Pocus-Three witches are inadvertently resurrected after 300 years to exact revenge and begin a reign of terror. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy need your children…to watch this movie, of course.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas-In this stop-motion animated musical, Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town stumbles through a portal into Christmas Town. Quirky chaos ensues.
3. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown-This 1966 animated special is a classic! It’s wholesome enough for even the youngest family members.
4. The Addams Family-Are you singing the theme song too? No, just me? Okay then, moving on!
“They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky…” You’re welcome.
5. Poltergeist-Just kidding!
6. Goosebumps-Jack Black adds his usual comedic flair to this silly movie based on R.L. Stine’s children’s horror book series.
7. Ghostbusters-Either of the original Ghostbusters 1 & 2 are 80’s perfection. I had a serious crush on Egon Spengler (RIP Harold Ramis). Or, I recommend 2016 version, Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, with the (mostly) all female cast of powerhouse comedians.
8. The Witches of Eastwick-Okay, so this one is pure indulgence. Maybe wait until the kids are in bed. I mean, Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Susan Sarandon and Jack Nicholson? COME ON!
Who ya Gonna Call?
I’m wishing you a fun and safe Halloween! If you are looking for help with organizing your Halloween hauls, I will accept payments in Whoppers, those weird but delicious molasses candies and small bags of salt & vinegar chips. Contact me for all your organizing needs. I know how to exorcise the clutter ghosts in the attic and banish the detritus demons under the stairs.
Yours in All Things Sorted (and SPOOKY),
Kelly
Great ideas!! Thanks!
Hahaha….GREAT BLOG!!!!