Halloween Parties

Throwing Fall Parties

Many parents are opting for Halloween or Fall parties as an alternative to
trick-or-treating. But how do you keep all those kids safely and happily
occupied for a few hours? These are some simple, easy to manage games and
activities that will make your party memorable and fun. The games cover a
wide age range, choose the ones that best fit the ages and temperaments of
your guests.
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Thinking Games

Guess How Many: Fill a jar with candy corn or miniature marshmallows and
have guests guess how many are in the jar. This is a good game to play at
the beginning of the party, as guests filter in.

Memory Game: Put a few theme-appropriate items (an apple, a piece of candy,
a leaf, etc.) on a tray. Show the tray to the guests for a few seconds, then
have guests write down (or call out) as many items as they remember.

How Many words can you make from HALLOWEEN or SCARECROW.
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Physical Fun

Popcorn Relay Race: Set out bowls full of popcorn at one end of the room,
empty bowls at another. Teams must transport the popcorn from full bowl to
empty, using a measuring cup. This is a messy game - plan it for the end of
the party! (Note: popcorn is a choking hazard for children under three).

Cotton-ball Scoop: Fill large mixing bowls with cotton balls and give each
guest a spoon. Kids must scoop out as many cotton balls as possible in one
minute - without using fingers!

Pin The..Nose on the Jack-o-Lantern, Stem-on-the-Apple, Hat-on-the-Scarecrow,
or whatever variation best suits your Halloween party theme.
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Arts And Crafts

Paints: Finger or sponge-paint with fall colors, or black and orange. Guests
can make a tablecloth or placemats for the party, or pictures to take home.

Collages: Guests can make collages of fall leaves, pictures from magazines
that relate to your Haloween party theme.

Picture Frames: Buy clear plastic frames, or make you own from craft sticks,
and have guests decorate the frames with paper, paints, cutouts, and other
craft items. Take a Polaroid of the guests when they arrive and the photo and
frame are a great gift.
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Odds And Ends

Dance - Young children love to dance; pop in a Sesame Street tape and let
them go!

Parade - If your guests come in Halloween costume, have a Halloween costume parade throughout the
house.

Ghost Stories - If your guests are older (nine and up) have them create a
ghost story. Dim the lights and sit guests in a circle. The host(ess) holds
a flashlight and begins the story. At an exciting or pivotal moment in the
tale, pass the flashlight to the next person to carry on the story.