Deciding on which pattern to use or make is always a big decision with my boys.

There are many store-bought kits with patterns or you could encourage your older child to create his/her own.

Here are some websites that offer a few free patterns as well:

1) http://www.spookmaster.com/pumpkin-carving-patterns-freebies.htm

2)http://www.woojr.com/category/printables/pumpkin-carving/

4)http://www.pumpkinpile.com/

FIELD TRIP TIME!

PUMPKIN CARVING PARTY!

See what your community or surrounding area are offering for October. Many places have pumpkin festivals, haunted walks or hay rides, corn mazes or costume parties.

YOU CAN FIND THIS TRASH BAG SPIDER WEB ON OUR SPIDERS CRAFT PAGE

MAKE YOUR OWN COSTUME:

There are many ways to make a costume. Make a bin that your kids can go through each Halloween (or eve throughout the year - who doesn't like dress up). Keep old coloured T-shirts for various bases, add a tattered old plaid shirt or two, some old ripped jeans, scarves or hats or ties you no longer wear....they can all be a part of a costume! Does your child have a broken foam dart gun? Add it to the bin. Plastic swords, long ribbons, plastic spiders or bugs? Add them to the bin! Add any masks or hats or wigs or props from past Halloweens as well. We have reused our capes for various costumes.

You can make your own mask or headpiece from a construction paper or even paper plates. And if you have time, papier mache can create almost anything!

And never underestimate the power of make up! Facepaint and fake blood always make a great Halloween face!

Have fun working together and dressing up!

TRICK OR TREAT POSTER:

When my children were little and couldn't trick or treat on their own and my husband was out of town and I had no one to hand out candies at the door I left a poster up by our front door with our bowl of candy (this works best early on in the evening and don't put all your candy in it because, alas, there are often kids who will be greedy and take it all). I wrote a little poem and made a printable. You can have your kids decorate the rhyming poem as we’ve done. I have two poems: Trick or Treat Poem 1 and Trick or Treat Poem 2.

DECORATE YOUR HOUSE, WINDOW, DOOR or YARD FOR HALLOWEEN:

Of course there are some fun decorations you can buy around Halloween that you can use year after year, but you don't need to spend money to decorate! Use some of the crafts from our Halloween Crafts Page or any your child may make at school to decorate your home.

OUR HALLOWEEN BIN!

JACK-O-LANTERNs:

NOTE: Perhaps the most obvious Halloween craft is pumpkin carving. My extended family has a tradition of gathering together for a big carving party with cousins big and small.

Materials: Paper (with pattern on it), tape, toothpicks (or pumpkin kit picks), carving tools, large spoon to scoop.

Step 1: Cut a hole either at the top of your pumpkin (more traditionally by removing a circle of pumpkin around the stem) or cut a hole in the bottom to place your pumpkin over a candle.
Step 2: Use a scooping tool or a big spoon to scrap and scoop the pumpkin seeds and “guts” out. Be sure to save some seeds for roasting later.
Step 3: Tape your paper pattern onto the face of your pumpkin. You may need to cut some folding tabs to tape it on properly.
Step 4: Use a toothpick or carving pick to press along the patter on the paper to imprint the picture onto your pumpkin.
Step 5: (Parent step or older child step) Use a small knife or pumpkin caring tools to carve out the pattern.
Step 6: Place a candle inside the pumpkin to light and make the pattern glow in the dark!

Halloween

Family Activities

For the some Halloween fun take your kids Trick or Treating to fill up your candy bowl. some neighbourhoods really get into it and decorate!

Or find a local event like a party at the library or trick or treating in a warm shopping mall!

Find what works for your family!

Sorting through our halloween fun box! trust me, it doesn't usually look this neat and tidy!

MAKE A HALLOWEEN FUN BOX:

We have a large plastic bin that we pack our Halloween goodies in each year. Over the years I have collected various Halloween books and shows, decorations and toys, and crafts. Each year in October we take out the Halloween bin and have lots of fun decorating the house, looking at old crafts, playing with Halloween toys and games, and reading our spooky books. It is a family tradition we look forward to each Autumn.

Pick A Pumpkin:

Visit a pumpkin patch for some bright autumn fun.

Go to your local grocery store and buy your pumpkin there!