Kid's Stuff

Love Halloween? Then you've got the perfect excuse to throw a kids' Halloween party that everyone will still be talking about decades from now. If Oct. 31 happens to be close to your child's birthday, then boo-m, you've got your theme. If not, that's cause for celebration too, because you don't have to think about over-indulging the guest of honor, and guests don't have to worry about bringing gifts.

Speaking of guests, you can have a small Halloween party with your child and one or two good friends. That's all you need to enjoy a creative activity and a party game and refreshments. Or, make it a family Halloween party! Have everyone bring a pumpkin or jack o' lantern light up the night, tell scary stories, make spook-tacular treats from Kraft Foods and remember the costumes grandma and grandpa wore when they were little.

Wanna throw a big Halloween bash? Get your close friends and family to help you with the invitations and decorations, to buy and put together the theme-oriented menu and to help photocopy Halloween ice-breakers or gather supplies for other party games. Recruit other parents and your favorite babysitters to lead a game, serve beverages, or demo a craft technique. Delegate as much as you possibly can, so that as the host, you can relax and have fun, too.

Party Invitations
Great Halloween parties deserve great invitations.

Party Decorations
Keep it simple and not too scary. You do not want a bunch of crying kindergarteners on your hands!

• Classics, old and new: Halloween props and supplies are everywhere you look, and even the most uncreative Dracula can count on perennially popular props such as cobwebs and jack o' lanterns. Check out the seasonal aisle at your local Rite Aid store! And see easy tips to carve special Jack O' Lanterns.
  
  
• Balloons make for a poppin' good time unless your child has a latex allergy. Us them in a Halloween scene outdoors or inside. Blow up a bunch of large green balloons, drape them with old sheets, tulle or netting or cheesecloth, and hang them from a tree branch or the ceiling.

Get helium balloons from a party store; check out all the novelty shapes. Or, have plain white balloons inflated with helium. For a floating ghost, simply draw on angry, upturned eyes with a thick black felt tip marker. Tie helium balloons to the mailbox, to tables in your entry-way, or to chairs surrounding the party table.

• Window Screams: paint the outline of a ghost on a large window, using washable, white acrylic paint. Fill in the outline, then use a chopstick or skewer to scratch the white off for eyes. If you're going to be entertaining little kids, add a smile.
  
  
• Witch's Broom: String up a kitchen or hearthside broom, and wire or duct-tape a plush toy or plastic animal so it appears to be sitting on it. Whether it's a black cat, raven, crow or owl, a rubber rat, snake, or fake tarantula, it's sure to send shivers sweeping up and down your guests' spines. Enhance the effect with cobwebs and chains.

Party Games
Keep the party going strong with these fun activities.

Party Recipes
Great food makes a great party. Try these amazing recipes or others from Kraft Foods or HERSHEY'S.

Pumpkin Patch Brownie Cupcakes

Witch "Cake"

Photo Tips
Save your party memories with photo tips from the experts at the New York Institute of Photography.

Create a bewitchingly fun Halloween party your kids will always remember.

Created by Eleanor Levie, Craft Services, LLC