Halloween is creeping up on us!
So it’s high time I shared my recommendations for Halloween fun!
Countdown!
If you’re anything like me, I find the build-up to an occasion as much fun as the actual day, so enjoy the build-up to Halloween by counting down to it!
Mark the days off the calendar, and in reverse to the well-known Christmas advent calendar, give the little ones some sweets to add to their Halloween sweetie pot each day, so they build up a stash to enjoy on the big day! Dracula fangs, eyeballs, and mini chocolate pumpkins are just a few recommendations to keep things spooky!
Download my Countdown to Halloween calendar here, and we can countdown together!
Decorate…
Decorating the house for Christmas is great for getting into the festive spirit and getting into the spooky spirit should be no different!
I like to do it in stages.
I start with Autumn hanging decorations. The lovely Rachel at Bugbees Creations has a fabulous selection at very reasonable prices. Take a look here!
I went for the pumpkin stacker, pictured below and I love it! The personalised cauldrons make great Halloween gifts for little ones too.
Next, I add lights. I put light-up pumpkins in my office, that I’ve had for about 15 years! And I place pumpkin tea lights around the house.
And then, a few days before the big day, I go all out! Hanging bats, balloons, garlands, you name it, I’ve got it, and they all make a great backdrop for my Halloween party table – more on that in a bit.
Spook up your balloons
Now, I’ll be honest, I’m not one for fussy balloons. Don’t get me wrong, I love a nice-looking display, but I certainly don’t want to spend hours putting one together. Especially as that squeaky noise balloons make sends shivers down my spine! And let’s face it, there’s more than enough to do when prepping for a party without balloons taking up all your time. As Kevin from Motherland says, his all Hallows Eve party is months in the planning! Oh, and in my experience, all kids really want to do is play with the balloons anyway.
But adding a little something extra to balloons can make them more exciting.
Last year, I found a Jack-o’-Lantern template and added faces to my balloons so they looked like pumpkins, and I think you’ll agree they look pretty impressive!
All you need is some black card, some glue dots, and this handy template. Oh, and balloons obviously! I didn’t have any glue dots to hand, so I used double-sided tape, which also did the job.
Another idea is to add streamers to your balloons. I saw an awesome DIY craft on Pinterest recently with a spider made from balloons and streamers. I haven’t tried this one yet, but it looks pretty simple to make and so effective! Check it out here for yourself.
And finally, I’ve included some spooky ghost balloons in my Bat and Ghost Halloween Party Box. They’re super simple to put together and will really get your little ones in the Halloween mood. Use some glue dots or masking tape to stick them to the wall or a door, and you’re good to go!
Get your craft on!
Some of my favourite seasonal decorations are ones I’ve made with my nieces and nephews. But coming up with crafting ideas and buying all the bits can be very time-consuming so let me introduce you to Crafty Party Box!
Their craft boxes include all the materials you need, instructions, activity sheets, jokes, facts, mindfulness, stickers, temporary tattoos, and more! Delivered straight to your door, in one box, they certainly take the stress out of crafting. And Joanna and Ben from Crafty Party Box are big Halloween fans too! Their Halloween box is bursting with materials for four ghoulish crafts, so it’s perfect to use in the run-up to Halloween and as an activity on the day. Here’s a quick sneak peek at the items included in the box and some ideas of where you can use them.
Make your very own Jack-o’-lantern jar. Decorate with orange tissue paper and pop in the LED tealight that’s included in the box, and watch the spooky effect of it glowing in the dark. Perfect for adding to your spooky cinema.
Decorate a fun 3D wooden bat with black paint and glitter glue pens.
Make a spider-web with craft sticks and yarn, stick on your foam spider sticker, and add to your party table.
And finally, there’s an adorable (but still spooky!) spider decoration to make. You can even pop onto the end of a pencil and watch its legs jiggle as you write.
The Halloween Craft Box can be ordered from Crafty Party Box by clicking here.
Check out their blog too. No order is required, just use items you already have around your home while letting Crafty Party Box walk you through the process!
And when the celebrations are over, don’t forget to pack your crafts away for next year, so you start building up a good stock of decorations. And you’ll be sure to add to that collection as Crafty Party Box is already planning what to include in next year’s Halloween box!
Have a tea party
Add to your decorations on the big day with a spooktacular party table! Spider web tablecloths, bat-shaped napkins, and spooky party games are all included in my Halloween boxes along with balloons, banners, and garlands. So you’ll have everything you need to throw your party without the months of planning Kevin needs!
Make some fabulously frightening party food to keep the little ones going before they eat their body weight in sweets. My favourites are ghost pizza bagels, bats made with Reece cups and Oreos, and Dracula’s dentures, made from cookies and mini marshmallows!
Add some sandwiches cut into spooky shapes and some cupcakes topped with your own ghostly icing designs, and you’re all set for a bewitching feast!
Create your own spooky cinema
Close the curtains, throw some cushions on the floor, and add your homemade Jack-o’-lantern jar to set the scene. Make some popcorn, pour everyone a glass of beetlejuice (otherwise known as blackcurrant squash), and choose a child-friendly spooky film to settle down to for the afternoon. The Witches, Harry Potter, and Monsters Inc are some of my favourites, but I’m sure your little ones will have a long list of their own.
And finally…
If trick or treating’s your thing, don’t forget to fit that in between your tea party and spooky cinema!
And be sure to save some sweets for yourself for when the kids have gone to bed!
To check out my Halloween party boxes, click here
For more top party tips, sign up for my free kid’s party planning guide – just click here.
And to discuss bespoke party ideas, tableware, and decorations for your little one’s birthday drop me a line, I’d love to help out!
