Easy Ideas for an Awesome Kids Halloween Party

First one says "Halloween is almost here!"

Second one says, "Party time is near!"

Third one says, "Hey, let's give our own!"

Mama Pumpkin says, "Oh NO! Not in OUR home!"

Daddy Pumpkin says, "Let's think about this, dear!"

Little pumpkins say, "This is the perfect year!"

Mama Pumpkin says, "Well, I guess we can pull it off,"

Daddy Pumpkin laughs "Mama, you've gone soft!"

A silly poem, but truthfully, many families can relate to a similar conversation around their dinner table. Kids want to go to parties, have parties, and treat life as a party! Halloween is the perfect time to pull off a successful shindig for your kids. Having kids help host a party can teach them planning, budgeting, etiquette, and a whole host of other things that can help them through life. Can you do it without tearing your hair (and theirs) out? Of course! They key to an awesome Halloween party is to keep it simple.

Type of Party

Choose first what type of party you want to have. Do you want to have a pumpkin carving party and jack-o-lantern contest? Does an old-fashioned harvest party suit your tastes? Haunted house parties are fun as the kids get older and bolder, but might be a bit much for the kindergarten set. Consider age, time frame and budget when making this decision.

Invitations

Decide if you will purchase blank invitations to fill out, or if you will produce your own. You can make them on your computer, or from construction paper. There are many cute cards on the market, but there are equally cute and free templates on the Internet that you can print on your computer. Further, simple orange construction paper and black markers can make great jack-o-lanterns on one side, with party details on the back.

Make sure you include host family name, party location, date and time on the invitation. Do not forget to ask for an RSVP, and provide a good contact number. Having a decent estimated head count will help reduce stress on party day. Further, make sure you send out invitations approximately 10-14 days ahead of time, if possible.

Activities

Have a schedule of activities. For younger children, a party will flop without a schedule. Even with older children, a schedule can save the party when kids seem shy and free activity doesn't seem to be working out. Try to have at least a 15 minute arrival period before main activities begin. After allowing everyone to arrive and mingle a bit (having a snack table set out may encourage socializing between those who don't really know one another), then begin a fun activity, such as a costume contest, or scavenger hunt. Schedule at least twenty minutes for this activity. Move on to a second activity, such as a monster dance contest to "The Monster Mash" song. Finish with a third activity such as a pinata, or bobbing for apples. Alternately, if you have enough help, you can do these activities simultaneously at "stations", where kids can wander from activity to activity. Finish up with snacks or goodies, and give out any prizes earned. Make sure to include all kids - even the shy ones - in some ways.

Snacks

Simple snacks like chips, dips, cupcakes, fruit and veggie trays, pretzels, or hot dogs make a big splash. Make sure to have adequate snacks and drinks available, and enlist the help of a friend, family member, or attending parent to help with the snack table. You can also offer Halloween favorites like "worms in dirt" (gummy worms in chocolate pudding), "eyeballs" (peeled grapes or the new gummy eyeballs), or "brains" (spaghetti noodles with Italian salad dressing). Blind taste tests work well for these kinds of snacks. Simple sodas or orange Halloween punch are great for hydration.

Finishing Up

As you finish, it isn't rude to announce something like, "We thank you so much for coming to our party! We have really enjoyed having you, and hope to have you again next year. Please notice the trash cans here and here, and help us out if you don't mind by throwing away your plates and cups. Don't forget to grab your goodie bag on your way out! We hope you have enjoyed the party!"

Tips to Help

Most parents don't mind helping. If someone offers, take them up on it!

Have a plan, but have a back-up activity for each scheduled activity. You never know when something might not work out right.

Have a budget and stick to it!

Try to involve everyone, especially the kids that seem left out.

Have a good and fun attitude! Kids can relate better to adults that aren't afraid to talk to them and have fun on their level every now and then.

If you can have the party outside, it can save the inside! Make bathrooms available, but encourage everyone to remain outdoors for everything else.

Be willing to be flexible and have fun by going with the flow.

Keep kids busy, and keep the party moving.

Make sure your children take part in greeting guests, passing out goody bags, and planning and prepping for the party!

HAVE FUN HAVE FUN HAVE FUN!

Happy Halloween! Now, get planning!