(NC)-Hosting a Halloween party doesn't have to be all about the candy. Be a super-mom by hosting a healthier kid's party that includes the classic Halloween décor but offers candy-free goodie bags and fun games designed to get kids physically active. This spooky feast will keep kids eating a balanced diet while still having a horrifically fun time.
A Creepy Feast
• Bat Wings: Bake frozen chicken wings and serve with barbecue sauce (blood!) for dipping.
• Witches Cauldron Dip (recipe available at www.homebasics.ca)
• Ghostly Potato Cakes (recipe available at www.homebasics.ca)
• Frozen Eyeballs: Scoop vanilla frozen yogurt onto cookie sheets and refreeze. Garnish with a maraschino cherry iris and a raisin for a pupil. Serve two eyeballs per child.
Horror-ific Fun
• Monster Mash Off: Have a dance competition where kids create their own dances based on classic Halloween characters like the "Slime Swing" and "Footloose Frankenstein".
• Spiderweb Team Challenge: (For school-aged kids.) Stand in a circle with a group of four or more people. Grab hands with two people who are not beside you. Untangle, as a group, moving under and over limbs, back into one open circle, without letting go of hands.
• Haunted Obstacle course: Plan a spooky obstacle course indoors or out. For example; create a "bat cave" out of old sheets hung over chairs, a cotton batting-lined hula hoop "spiderweb", or a pile of pillows for "sleeping ghosts".
Candy-Free Loot Bag Suggestions
• Dollar store treasures that could include Halloween stickers, spider rings, slime toys and glow sticks.
• Trick-or-treating survival kit, which includes a small flashlight, toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.
• Make-your-own spider pet kit that includes a black balloon, pipe cleaners, garbage bags cut into legs and instructions for assembly.
Dozens more ideas for a safe and fun Halloween can be found online at www.homebasics.ca.
- News Canada