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If you've outgrown halloween costumes, maybe it's time to put your focus on creepy crafts and spooky decorations. These ideas are kid-safe friendly and can be made by the whole family.
THE CLASSIC PUMPKIN
The carved pumpkin, of course, is still America's favored Halloween decoration. Special pumpkin templates which outline sophisticated designs go a long way in decorating. Almost all kits are sold with safety knives, so kids can participate. If you're a basement artist, try drawing the designs yourself and then letting the kids go to work.
MINI PUMPKIN FUN
You can liven up any Halloween party with simply decorated gourds, available during late fall months. Paint faces, glue on legs or facial expressions, and display on window ledges, tables or shelves.
MAKE SIGNS
Using old lumber or heavy cardboard, paint decorations and spooky sayings on your sign surface. Tack to the inside of the house or nail to stake and position spooky signs outdoors.
TRY A WREATH
Pick up a wicker wreath at a craft store (or use last year's Christmas wreath) and let your mind go wild. You can die the wreath with orange and black clothing dye. Make cutouts of skeletons and ghosts to attach to the center of your wreath or use an old Halloween mask.
HIRE A SCARECROW
Using old clothes and stuffing, the whole family can get into the action of making scarecrows. Stuff clothing with paper bags, pillows, stuffing, bedding, rags or leaves. Run a broom down the center of the pumpkin (so that the broom handle comes out the top), and cover the broom head with a halloween mask. Use indoors or out.
GLOWING EYES
Using Christmas tree lights, place a small string of lights in bushes, behind a shower curtain or anywhere else you want to spook someone. Unscrew all bulbs but two (or hide the other bulbs with a blanket) and place them a few inches apart from each other. Turn them on as people walk by or notice them.
Another variation is to paint eyes on a large rock using glow-in-the-dark paint. Set the rock in the yard or near a tree.
THE GHASTLY GHOST
This is an easy project for the whole family to participate in making. Here's what you'll need to put together your own ghastly ghost:
Flat sheet. (White is best, but any color would do.)
Twine or heavy string.
Scissors.
Plastic bags.
You'll begin by forming the head of the ghost. First, stuff an old plastic bag with stuffing, plastic bags, or rags. Knot the open end of the bag. Place the head in the center of your sheet and hold the head in place by wrapping string or twine just below the head area. Paint on a face using cosmetics, markers or paint.
FRIENDLY BOBBING GHOSTS
Purchase a few helium filled balloons and cover them with lightweight sheets or large pillow cases. Paint a friendly face on the sheet and let the finished product bounce around the room.
HAUNTED FURNITURE
By coloring old sheets and laying them over furniture, you'll create an eery feel for Halloween parties. Use old white sheets and wash them in dark black or gray clothing dye. Immediately wash and dry them. Rip the edges of the sheets when dry and toss them over couches, chairs, tables and etc.
HOMEMADE FOG
A block of dry ice will fog up a room in minutes. Place a small block of ice at the entrance of a room so it moves as people walk in. Put the dry ice in a bucket of warm water for a super foggy appeal. (Note: Dry ice will burn skin and shouldn't be handled without the use of heavy gloves.)
CREEPY, CRAWLY THINGS
Kids love to make creepy, crawly party games and decorations. All can be prepared easily using common household items. You can blindfold children as they feel each bowl of "yucks" or use a cardboard box with a hole cut out of the top as an entryway to doom. Let kids decorate small signs on each box to label "guts," "eyes," and etc.
A BOWL OF INTESTINES can be made by cooking an ample amount of spaghetti and refrigerating it. When cold, place inside chilled bowl.
EYEBALLS are made from two grapes that have been frozen. Place them inside a small bowl.
BOWL OF BLOOD. Use spaghetti sauce in a bowl to simulate real blood. For extra creepy crowds, add sauce to spaghetti guts and watch your guests cringe.
BRAINS are made from bread. Add 5 pieces of white bread to a bowl and cover with water. After the water is gone, form bread in a large, rough ball and place inside chilled bowl.
BLOODY GLASSES
You can make party cups and glasses more festive by dribbling fake blood on them. Make your own edible blood with corn syrup and food coloring. Pour a small amount of corn syrup into a shallow plate or bowl. Color the syrup with red food coloring. Dip the rim of each glass into the syrup and place glasses upright, allowing the mixture to run down the side of the glass.
HEAD SHRINKERS
Using any type of apple, your kids will love to create the always popular shrunken heads.
Apples
1 Cup Lemon Juice
2 T Salt
String or twine
Large needle
1. Peel and corn apple.
2. Carve facial features with kitchen or pumpkin knife.
3. Soak head for 1-minute in salt and lemon juice mixture.
4. Run twine or string through the center of the apple using a large needle.
5. Tie a knot in the string, just below the head.
6. Hang apples in safe place to allow them to dry out.
Within 3-days, your shrunken heads will be ready to join the party.
MAKE YOUR OWN SLIME
A few simple ingredients prepared ahead of time will delight kids for hours.
2 Cups tap water
1/2 Cup Cornstarch
Green food coloring
Boil water in small saucepan. Add cornstarch slowly, stirring constantly. When mixed well, add green food coloring and stir. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature.
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