Halloween means different things to different peoples. Some people, like my family, go way overboard with decorations, homemade costumes, and fancy jack-o-lanterns. Halloween will be here before we know it so why not start getting into the spirit by exploring all of the wonderful blog posts featured in the October edition of the All About Parenting blog carnival.A few weeks ago I sent out a request for bloggers to share their Halloween posts and now I am happy to share them with you! If you are looking for some spooky inspiration, some sound advice, or just want to explore other people's Halloween fun, start that exploring now:
All About Halloween With Your Family:
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Denise Witmer, from Parenting Teens at About.com, has a wonderful collection of ideas to help you enjoy Halloween with your teen. Even if you don't have teenagers, I bet you will be inspired by her ideas!
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Vivian Kirkfield, from Positive Parental Participation, shares a wonderful Halloween picture book and also gives parents some ideas about using costumes and role-playing for more than just Halloween night. There's also a suggestion for a safe and fun-filled Halloween event that might be organized by a church, temple or neighborhood parent's group.
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Jennifer O'Donnell, About.com Guide to Tween Parenting, has a collection of resources to help you get ready and make the most of the celebration.
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Many of us have some Halloween traditions. Susan, the About.com Grandparents Guide, shares some of her Halloween memories and also shares some ideas to help you create new Halloween traditions.
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What do you do if you and your child have different ideas about how to celebrate Halloween? Well, Katherine Lee, the About.com Guide to School-Age Children, shares her thoughts on how to handle this situation!
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Apryl Duncan, About.com's Guide to the Stay-at-Home Moms Site, asks whether you think trick-or-treating is harmless fun or if Halloween should be banned. While I know my household's opinion on this matter, I am curious to see others'!
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Terri Mauro, Special Needs Children Guide, calls herself a Halloween Grinch. Find out why she has never been able to get too excited about Halloween holiday, and why it's one her kids have never been overly enthusiastic about either.
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Now is a great time to start experimenting with Halloween photography and Liz Masoner, the About.com Photography Guide, will teach you how!
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Katherine Lewis, Working Moms Guide, panicked a little when she realized Halloween is coming; fortunately for her, a few stars have aligned to make this working mom's Halloween a little less scary.
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What do you do if a foster child enters your home late in October and the stores have limited offerings for Halloween costumes? Carrie Craft, About.com Guide to Adoption and Foster Care, explains how you can prepare early for last minute Halloween costumes.
- When you think about costume safety, you're probably thinking more about the older set of trick-or-treaters. Stacie McClintock, Baby Clothes Guide, has some costume safety tips for babies.
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With the economy the way it is, everyone should take a moment to learn how to save money on Halloween candy posted by Jennifer Wolf, the About.com Single Parents Guide.
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After a night of trick-or-treating, you may want to read Catherine Holecko's (About.com Guide to Family Fitness) advice about how to counteract the candy.
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If you don't want to give out the usual candy treats this Halloween, check out Linda Hatton's list of alternative edible and non-edible Halloween goodies.
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Looking for some unique and sometimes gross recipes for an upcoming Halloween party? Check out all the great treat recipes offered in this collection!
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If you're throwing a Halloween party for kids this year, it's time to start working on invitations. Megan Cooley, Kids' Parties & Celebrations Guide, has a roundup of Halloween party invitation ideas and printables.
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Eileen Bergen, also known as The Artful Crafter, not only shares some traditional Halloween crafts, but she also teaches us a bit about how 'Halloween' is celebrated in Mexico.
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It is never too early or too late to begin planning a Halloween party! Whether your Halloween party is in the classroom or at your home, you are sure to find something creative here to help with your party planning.
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Want to win costume contests this Halloween? Sandra Grauschopf, the About.com Guide to Contests & Sweepstakes Guid, has a collection of tips about winning costume contests, You can also check out costumes her readers have entered into contests.
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If you celebrate Halloween, have you decided yet what your baby will dress as? Jennifer White, Baby's First Year Guide, is happy to share some resources with you to help you find the best baby Halloween costumes.
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Has your preschooler chosen a Halloween costume? Amanda Rock, About.com Preschoolers Guide, shares some insight and also some great resources to help your preschooler make the big decision!
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If you are trying to decide what to dress up as for Halloween, why not dress up as a character from your favorite book? Elizabeth Kennedy, Children's Books Guide, has a collection of easy-to-make, low cost homemade Halloween costumes based on children's books and/or characters.
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Tristin, from Spartan Living, created a Halloween costume for her toddler using $5 of purchased items and other items from around the house. The result was an adorable, one-of-a-kind ladybug costume.
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Sonja Callaghan has a collection of pictures she shares of her costume clad family, all dress up as pirates. She even made her entire Tia Dalma costume from scratch with the help of her 4 year old son, plus she was nice enough to explain how she did it!
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If you want to make your own funny costumes, scary costumes, costumes that look like your favorite celebrities or a totally unique costumes, these Halloween costume ideas will help get you started.
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If you have fun creating your own Halloween projects, consider submitting them to Savvy Homemade's Homemade Halloween Contest. I am excited to be one of their judges this year!
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Lesley Shepherd, About.com's Miniatures Guide, will teach you how to create miniatures you can use to decorate for Halloween! You can make a tiny haunted house, printable coffins, and many other tricks and treats.
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Suzy Myers, from, Suzy's Artsy-Craftsy Sitcom, shares directions so you can make make Marvin the Mummy and Friends. Three blocks that spell out the word "BOO" are the home of Marvin the Mummy and his buds. Marvin is made of recycled toilet paper tubes and is wrapped in strips of toilet paper.
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If you have a spare tv laying around, you might want to follow these directions, from Crafts by Amanda, to transform that tv into a unique jack-o-lantern.
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Debra Amon, from Gracie's Eggs, teaches us how to make Halloween cascarones! Debra is on a mission to spread the word about the fun of cascarones (painted eggshells filled with confetti). Cracked over the heads of unsuspecting friends, the result is giggles, laughter, chuckles, and tee-hees.
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If you are building your own haunted house this year, or just want to add some extra effects for trick-or-treaters, check out this tutorial from Bill Lae. He teaches you haw you can easily make a mystical, glowing walkway.
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Jacki Schklar will show you how to make a one-eyed, purple monster pot which is great for holding your favorite Halloween treats. These would also make cute gifts.
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Pumpkins are a little expensive this year. If you want to decorate with several jack-o-lanterns, check out these directions for making Halloween painted jar luminaries, a fun project from Crafts by Amanda.
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With Halloween fast approaching, it's time to start planning Halloween crafting projects. Kate Pullen, Guide to Rubber Stamping, shows you why Halloween is a great time for rubber stamping and paper crafts. You can make Halloween themed items such as decorations for Halloween parties, favor boxes, invitations, trick or treat thank you cards and more!
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Staci Wendland, who has her own Crafty Staci Blog, creative a step-by-step tutorial to make a trick-or-treat bag. It features pleats (so it can hold more candy!) and a loop on the side for hanging a glow stick or flashlight.
Even if you don't wear a costume for Halloween, you can still get into the "spirit" with these free beading and jewelry making projects shared by Jennifer VanBenschoten, about.com Beadwork Guide.
Alice Ross, from Alice Made It Blog, posted a tutorial so you can make your own 3-dimensional crocheted jack-o-lantern. These would make wonderful Halloween gifts for all of your favorite ghouls!
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If you follow these directions from Amy, Paint Me Plaid Blogger, you can not only make a painted and glitter pumpkin, you can learn how to use transfer paper.
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If you want to get some of your Halloween preparations sorted out early, Marion Boddy-Evans (About.com Guide to Painting) encourages you to consider painting a pumpkin rather than carving one.
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Sukhmandir Kaur Khalsa, About.com Guide to Sikhism, shares one lion jack-o-lantern and two smiles. I dare you not to smile!
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Check out this collection of free Halloween pumpkin carving patterns you can download and use to make your own jack-o-lanterns or even as a pattern to paint a pumpkin.
RELATED:
- Halloween Crafts and Activities
- Autumn Crafts and Activities
- Past About Parenting Blog Carnivals
(Photo © 2010 Sherri Osborn licensed to About.com, Inc.)
Halloween is one holiday that appeals to kids and parents alike. Still, it presents some challenges for parents (the candy thing), and there are safety concerns as well.
Thanks for compiling such a great resource to help parents make the most of Halloween fun while keep everyone safe.
Just what I needed to come up with exciting ideas for my baby boy who’s celebrating his birthday this month as well! Thanks!
I agree. Halloween is fun but people should stay safe as well!
Hi,
How does one get on this list? I would like to submit an article.
Let me know.
Cheers,
Myra
Hi Myra, So sorry, submissions were only taken during the month of September!