Homemade Animal Costumes, Habitats for Halloween

 Dramatic play develops preschool social, emotional, artistic, creative and communication skills. Plays lend themselves to all content. Here are homemade costumes, props and settings for life science theater. I call it bio-drama. Using recycled materials teaches real-life environmental science! These costumes and habitiats would be perfect for Halloween costumes. Make a spider in her web, bats, mammals, reptiles, insects and more.   Homemade Preschool Dramatic Play Animal Costumes, Habitats

Healthy Pumpkin Treats Kids Can Make

Boy, pumpkin sure is the theme--everything from IHOP pancakes to beer features it. And right in time for harvest and Halloween parties. So I thought, why not tap into that beta-carotene goodness for my Week-of-school-snacks and Five-day-school-lunch-menu series? Here are healthy recipes featuring pumpkin. Use fresh (use pumpkin, not a jack-o-lantern) or take my lazy way out and use canned--not pie filling. Involve toddlers and preschooler in preparations. Weekly Snack Menu, Healthy Pumpkin Themed Kids Treats

Easy, cheap kids' fall birthday party tips

Got a child with a fall birthday? Autumn is a great time for an outdoor birthday party. Sometimes, fall outdoor parties are easier to manage because it's cooler. Here's an easy, cheap kids' birthday bash, suitable for preschool to elementary age children. I've included tips for food, crafts, games, activities and cleanup.  Easy, cheap kids' fall birthday party tips 

Quick Cook Kid Pleasing Summer Harvest Vegetable Soup Recipes

In summer heat, our appetites and cooking styles naturally turn to cold or grilled foods. I don't know about you, but sometimes, even in the blistering heat, I get a hankering for a hot (not char-broiled) meal. When that craving hits, I tout out these tried-and-tasty summer stove-top soups. These recipes feature pared-down (pardon the pun) cooking time frames that won't over-tax the air-conditioning or overheat the house. Best of all, these yummy soups incorporate summer's vegetable bounty and are easy on the diet. Kids love them too.  Quick-Cook Kid-Pleasing Summer Vegetable Soup Recipes 

Free Printable Kids Halloween Party Planner

I love party-planning, especially for preschoolers. At this age, they're pretty easy to please and you don't have to spend much to put on a great kid-friendly shindig. I'll never understand why anyone would want to take kids to an birthday restaurant or activity venue. They're are over-priced and you really don't get much bang for all that buck. I've found that kids have the most fun with backyard birthday bashes and holiday parties. Here are some preschool games and activities that are easy and free (or pretty darn cheap). Use these for your kiddie harvest, All Saints Day, Christian-themed or Halloween party, too! Easy, cheap, DIY activities for preschool birthday parties

Free Printable Paper Hat Patterns, Templates and Craft Projects

When I was a kid, my grandfather, who was newspaper pressroom foreman, showed me how to fold hats from newspaper. Can I remember now? No. But fortunately, there's internet. Here are free printable templates, patterns and activities for paper hats. To find out how to make that newspaper hat, check out the last link from "Curious George Rides a Bike." He makes a paper hat boat and directions are printed on the links, along with other really cute Curious George printable activities. Use these printable hats for Halloween, preschool dress up or rainy-day fun! Read more at  Free Paper Hat Patterns

Easy No Sew Bible Character, Saints Costumes for Halloween, All Saints Day

Easy Bible Character and Saints Costumes for Halloween or All Saints Day Whether you celebrate Halloween and trick or treat and have children dress as saints, or if you celebrate All Saints Day with a costume party, here are tips for easy, creative saints and Bible character costumes. Most of these costumes can be made with household items. No need to spend any money. Perfect for large family. Recycle bin and no-sew costumes, too. Click for details

Free Printable Catholic Party Games for All Saints Day or Halloween

Catholic All Saints Day Party Games Catholics celebrate All Saints Day on November 1, following All Hallow's Eve, or Halloween. Families and churches seeking alternatives to Halloween celebrate All Saints Eve parties. Here are games to play for your All Saints Day or Eve party. Read More

Easy Non Toxic Face Paint Recipes for Halloween

Safe, Non Toxic Face Paint Recipes for Halloween Face painting is a fun part of dressing up for Halloween. Many costumes require a mask or face paint of some kind. Here are easy, diy recipes to make your own face paint that is safe and non-toxic. These recipes should not cause skin irritation Read More

Free Printable Halloween Coloring Pages and Greeting Cards

Free Printable Halloween Greeting Cards, Invitations, Coloring Pages Looking for good seasonal and holiday coloring pages? Fisher-Price. Fisher-Price has free printable coloring pages for Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day. Read More

Free Printable Halloween Trick or Treat Mazes and Puzzles

Free Printable Halloween and Trick or Treat Mazes Mazes are puzzles in which the player must follow a path, usually with his pencil, through a complicated pattern. Mazes are great fun and make great lessons to practice eye-hand coordination. Here are free printable Halloween and trick or treat mazes. Read More

Michael Jackson 'Bad' Smooth Criminal Gangster Halloween Costume

DIY Michael Jackson 'Smooth Criminal' Halloween Costume The late Michael Jackson will doubtless be the most popular Halloween costume this year. But why spend money? Make your own Michael Jackson costume. Here's a DIY Smooth Criminal costume. Read on

Michael Jackson Moon Walk Billie Jean Halloween Costume

DIY Michael Jackson Billie Jean Moon Walk Dance Halloween Costume
Costumes from Michael Jackson's music videos are always popular Halloween costumes. Before Lady Gaga, there was MJ. Here's a DIY Michael Jackson Billie Jean song moon walk costume. Read on

Cheap Candy Alternative Halloween Trick or Treat Giveaways

Candy Alternative Halloween Trick or Treat Giveaways 50 Treat ideas to replace candy for trick-or-treat. Inexpensive prizes, books, school supplies and novelties. Skip Halloween candy. Use for Trick or Treat, classroom, business, organization and other Halloween treat giveaways. These ideas are not costly. View more »

Easy DIY Polar Fleece Trick or Treat Halloween Costume

Easy DIY Polar Fleece Trick or Treat, Halloween Costume DIY guide to make a basic Halloween or All Saints Day costume from which you can add details and accessories. This guide gives tips to make Bible character, witch, ghost, pumpkin, princess, animal, pirate costumes and masks. Polar Fleece costumes are perfect for chilly fall trick or treat. Costumes require little sewing, are easy to make and inexpensive.
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Homemade Halloween Costumes

Easy Homemade Halloween Costumes Did you wait till the last minute to get a Halloween costume? Maybe your child couldn't decide what to be? Never fear--here's a list for quick, eleventh hour costumes for kids . Whip up some fabulous costumes fast with these easy tips and directions using items around the house. Lots of recycle bin options! View more »

Halloween Party, Cheap, Easy and Fun

Host a Huge Halloween Party for Under $150 Hosting a Halloween or Trick or Treat party for a large group? Here is your perfect party planner for fun. We'll look at treats, decorations, food, games, prizes, crafts and activities. This party planner focuses on cost cutting tips. View more »