Halloween is here and you aren't ready. Don't worry, you probably have something in the house that you can use to make a ghost of a good time.
Food Coloring
When you use food coloring, what you can create is only limited by your imagination. Why not transform vanilla pudding to green slime with a little food coloring? Not into slime? Food coloring mixed with Jell-O also serves as a great stand in for brains!
Almond Slivers
Attach almond slivers to carrot sticks and insert them into your green slime for a ghoulishly delicious finger stew.
Phyllo Dough Sheets or Another Kind of Dough
Wrap dough sheets around hot dogs for mummy treats kids will love to eat. Want to make your mummy treats spookier? Why not use ketchup or mustard to draw eyes and a mouth on your hot dog mummies?
Scissors
Use them to cut out jack-o’lantern masks from paper plates. Just cut out the eyes and silly mouths. Use staples to attach string or a rubber band to keep the mask on. Not into masks? Use your scissors to make pumpkin pictures; its amazing what you can create with construction paper, glitter, glue, fabric, yarn, and glue. Children and adults can get in on the fun of creating the funniest Halloween pumpkin picture.
Old Clothes
Cut some of the old clothes, or even newspaper, into strips (you may even want to use leaves from your yard). Use them to stuff other clothing to create an instant scarecrow. A belt, a little thread or even some safety pins can hold it all together. Use a balloon with yarn attached for the head or a well stuffed pillow case. Draw a spooky face and add a hat make your Halloween friend complete.
Newspaper and Yarn
Roll your newspaper into a witches hat, paint, add yarn and a string. Just like that you've got a home crafted costume that captures your little one's imagination.
Baking Supplies
Kids never tire of baking and decorating holiday cookies or cupcakes. Let them use food coloring, icing, cookie cutters, patterns, licorice or even macaroni to make ghoulish faces. What matters most here is creating the opportunity to harness imagination; the tools you use matter less than the time you spend together. Just have fun (and remove any beans, pasta or other inedible decorative items before you enjoy your Halloween treats.
More tips:
- Marshmallows are great for making ghosts.
- Gauze is great for making mummies
- Cotton can be used to make spooky spider webs
- Cardboard is perfect for making RIP (rest in peace) signs.
- Red fingernail polish can be a good stand-on for blood.
- Dry ice may be just what you need to create the effect of steam.
- Facial tissue painted with faces makes cute mini ghosts.
- Make-up can make any costumes feel more real.
The key here is creativity, let yours loose and you will be surprised at what you come up with. Enjoy!
Barbara Gibson - Parenting is a joy and a challenge. Each day I learn something new about myself. I also grow in understanding and appreciation of my own ...
