Halloween Activities for Dads and Kids

If you are a Dad who wants to spend more quality time with your kids this fall, consider these 5 Halloween activity ideas for dads and kids.

Pick Your Own Pumpkins. A fun Halloween activity for dads and kids is to visit a farm and pick your own pumpkins. Not only is this an enjoyable outdoor activity, but it is educational, allowing children to see how pumpkins grow in the field and to learn more about farming. Check for pumpkin-picking patches in your local area. Some farms also offer hay rides or other kids-oriented activities, so be sure to call ahead and schedule your visit to include these other activities.

Carve and Decorate Pumpkins. Making jack-o-lanterns is the perfect Halloween activity for dads and kids to kick off the Halloween season. Just get several pumpkins, some good carving knives; scoops (to clean out the insides of the pumpkins); pumpkin carving patterns and stencils(unless you are an experienced and creative carver); tape (to attach patterns and stencils to the pumpkins); paint and magic markers (so that smaller children can decorate their own pumpkins); and candles. Make your jack-o-lanterns a week or so before Halloween so that the whole family can enjoy them throughout the Halloween season.

Make a Pumpkin Pie. Kids love baking with Mom, and they'll enjoy baking with Dad just as much (maybe more, given the novelty factor). Pumpkin pie is one of the easiest pies to make (especially if you buy frozen pie crusts and canned pumpkin filling) so give it a try even if it's a first for you. If you don't have a recipe, the one on the can of pumpkin pie filling will do just fine. Just gather the ingredients and get to work, being sure to let your kids take part by breaking the eggs, pouring the milk and mixing the ingredients. Make your pie the day before Halloween or Halloween day so that you and the kids can enjoy your handiwork after a hard night of trick or treating.

Trick or Treat. Accompanying children while they trick or treat not only can provide dads and kids with quality time together, but it can help to ensure a safe Halloween night for all. Trick or treating is more fun in a group, so offer to take some of your children's friends along with you. Enjoy the time with the kids, but try not to be intrusive or overprotective. Be sure that everyone is dressed warmly if it is a chilly evening and don't let them become overtired. At the end of the evening, take everyone home for apple cider or hot chocolate with marshmallows and a big piece of pumpkin pie.

Watch a Halloween Movie. There are dozens of Halloween movies available on DVD for kids of all ages, so pick one or two and arrange for a movie night with your kids to get them in the Halloween mood. A few choices are It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare before Christmas, The Witches, and Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie, but there are many more.

Source:

fun.familyeducation.com, Not-So-Scary Halloween Movies for Kids