3 Easy Halloween Parties for Kids

I love this time of year, not just because of the boots weather and a mild obsession with all things pumpkin, but because Halloween is nearly here! Thoughts of Halloween bring with them a flood of childhood memories for me. You see, my birthday is the day before Halloween. This meant I had a ‘built in’ theme to my birthday celebration every year.

From these, I share with you some *Easy* Halloween-inspired parties you can throw with minimal preparation.

Pumpkin Decorating Party

Rather than risking digits lost in traditional pumpkin carving, play it safe by painting pumpkins instead.

*Provide, or ask guests to bring, a pumpkin for each child. Then a selection of paint colors & paint brushes are all you’ll need to make this a fun activity for even the youngest pumpkin in your patch.

*Want to take it up a notch? Pick out a few different sized pumpkins & extra decorations for the kids to choose from. A few ideas: feathers, glitter, pompoms, and pipe cleaners.

*Happy Hostess Tip: Lay newspaper down under pumpkins for easy cleanup. Also, remind parents to have kids wear clothes that can get messy.

* For more ideas on ways to decorate a pumpkin, check out THIS post from Houston Moms Blog!

Candy (apples) & Costumes

Invite the kiddos over for a candy apple bar and dress up party.

*Buy apples and caramel sauce. Cut apples into slices, or better yet, buy pre-cut apple slices. Ask guests to bring a topping to share and see the fun things people come up with. A few ideas… sprinkles, gummy worms, crushed Oreos, marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips. Distribute apple slices in bowls, drizzle with caramel and have kid decorate their apple with toppings.

*Happy Hostess Tip: Use paper bowls and utensils for easy clean up.

*Create a costume corner with a basket of items for kids to choose from. Don’t have a stash of dress up items? Ask guests to bring some with them such as tiaras, cowboy hats, superhero capes, old costumes, dresses, costume jewelry, masks, etc. Now, sit back and watch the creativity unfold.

Halloween Game Party

Halloween-inspired games make this party great fun for elementary aged children.

*Bobbing for Apples: Pull out that plastic swimming pool you stored away for winter and bob for apples. Fill pool 3/4 full with water and toss in several apples. Have kids “catch” the apples with their teeth while keeping their hands behind their backs.

*Happy Hostess Tip: If weather permits, set up pool outdoors. If not, layer large bath towels on the floor under the pool to avoid a watery mess.

*Mummy Wrap: Have kids pair off in teams of 2-3 and give each team a roll of toilet paper. The kids wrap one member of their team with the toilet paper creating a mummy. First team to finish their roll WINS!

What Halloween party ideas do you have? Share them here!