Halloween Party for Younger Kids

I'm a firm believer in the spiral notebook for party planning. I make lists of everything. Guest list and RSVPs, decorations, games (and accessories needed for games), favors,and foods (along with a prep schedule). Everything goes in the notebook.

You will need...

a guest list
invitations
decorations
games
food
activities
party favors
cupcakes!

If you want the kids to come in costume... please please please... make it clear on the invitation. Just in case... have a few bits and pieces from your dress up box on hand.

Also.. If you plan to make this an active party.. let people know. They may want to adjust the costume if there will be a Jumpy House or a lot of Running.

If you want to do face painting... you can ask them to leave the masks behind.
And
If you don't want epic battles to break out... have the Pirates, Cowboys, Ninjas and Storm Troopers stow their weapons upon arrival.

You want to give your Halloween Birthday Party an atmosphere that screams Halloween... but doesn't make the kids scream in fear.

Go with some spider webs and little plastic spiders...

Plastic bats hanging from the ceiling..

If you can.. fill a plastic cauldron with dry ice.. it looks great with the smoke billowing out.

Let the kids make some "ghosts" with stuffed tissue paper, or cheesecloth dipped in glue.

Streamers are fun for any occasion... and so are balloons. Black, orange and purple are great colors for Halloween.

A simple Halloween Party Game is Unwrap the Mummy. You will need a lot of little "presents" or candies.. a roll of toilet paper and a doll or teddy bear. Then get some music... and a player.

Prepare for the party by wrapping the doll or teddy bear inn toilet paper... every now and then stop and tape a small wrapped toy or candy to the paper.. then keep wrapping. You want to make sure you have enough gifts for everyone at the party. Then wrap completely.

Let the kids sit in a circle... play music.. this is a bit like hot potato... kids pass the mummy until the music stops. When the music stops, the kid with the mummy gets to unwrap the mummy until he comes to the prize. He/She gets the prize... and goes out of the circle. Play more music until everyone has a prize.

You can decide if you want to have a grand prize for the last child.

Fill a cloth bag with some Halloween objects or toys. Maybe a plastic spider, a bat, a small skeleton... then put in a few other object.. like a birthday candle, and some other small toys or household objects.

Let the kids take turns reaching in and feeling around one at a time. Set a time limit for each child.

After they had their turn feeling the objects, let them make a list of the things they felt. Because they are young, they may need help with the writing. Have a helper (grown up or teen) work with the kids to get the information down.

The child that remembers the most.. wins.

Before the party, get a few ping pong balls and color them to look like eyeballs.

During the Party divide the kids into teams. Maybe 3 or 4 to a team? Have a tablespoon and an "eyeball for each team.

This is a relay race...

Have the first kid put their "eyeball" on the spoon, then walk (or run) to a predetermined place, then back to hand the spoon off to the next team in line. If they drop the eye.. they either just pick it up and put it back on, or go back to the start.... you decide how tough you want to be.

No holding the eyeball on the spoon (unless it's a 3 year old... then we will make allowances)

First team to have all members complete the course wins!

Pinatas are fun for any party... but on Halloween.... Extra fun.

Find a Halloween themed pinata... fill it with candy... tie it up high... and hand out empty goodie bags.

Have the kids take turns swinging at it with a stick. Let the littlest ones go first. You can blindfold them, or not.

If you've got future big league baseball stars at your party.. blindfold them, and have the pinata on a rope that can be pulled up and down.

3 swings, and then the next person gets a turn.

Make sure you keep everyone else back... you don't want to be on that funniest home videos show... or make an emergency room run.

Let the kids fill their bags with the candy when the pinata explodes (maybe keep some extra back to toss out to kids who aren't getting as much).

Now... this doesn't have to be difficult... There are some great kits out there that come with instructions.

You can be make it as elaborate as doing a full Cat or Clown face... or as simple as painting a spider on a cheek.

I would suggest having help with this. I usually hire a teenager (either a sibling, or a babysitter type) to help. Explain to them EXACTLY what is expected... and let them be creative. (You might want to mention that bloody icky stuff is not acceptable.... ) Let them practice with the kit before the party. And pay them for their time (or work out a trade with another mom to help at her next birthday).

This is your chance to use up a lot of those craft materials you have lying around....

You will need..
a small pumpkin for every child (and maybe a few extras... just in case)
glue
markers
paints

and an assortment of-

stickers
glitter
feathers
buttons
ribbon
googly eyes
rhinestones
leaves
packing peanuts (you knew they were good for something.

and/or whatever else you have lying around the craft box

Cover the floor or table with newspaper or one of those old plastic tablecloths.
Write each child's name on the bottom of the pumpkin (don't want any mix-ups and tears)

Let the kids be creative. There are no rules...

Food can go from the simple.... just the cupcakes.... to the complex.... let each kid make their own pizza!

You decide how much you want to do. The timing of the party may also dictate the menu. If the party is in the middle of the afternoon, you are under no obligation to give anyone a meal. But... if the party runs over lunch... hungry kids get cranky. Uck.

Food suggestions....

snacks-
caramel corn mixed with candy corn
tortilla chips and guacamole (call it mushed brains...)
pumpkin shaped cookies

Fruit Salad I usually make it out of grapes and melon balls for kids... you can pretend it's eyeballs.

Meals
Sausage Mummies- you will need little sausages and a tube of crescent roll dough. Cut the dough into thin strip, a few inches long. Wrap the sausages up, bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Serve with ketchup.
Pizza Faces- Some pizza places make pizza with a Jack-o-Lantern face. You can also let the kids make mini pizzas on boboli crusts, pita bread or english muffins. Supply pizza sauce, cheese, pepperoini slices, and maybe a few veggies... let them have fun creating their own.
Snake Sandwich- Get a long baguette and slice it horizontally. Layer on the fillings you think they will eat... turkey or ham is usually a good bet...I'd hold back on the condiments and serve them separately. Slice into 3 inch lengths... then lay the segments like they are a wavy snake on a serving platter. Stick some olives on for eyes... and maybe a strip of tomato for the tongue.
Chicken Drumsticks or Nuggets - Call them Bat wings....
Taquitos Pretend they are skeletons...