Calavera sugar skull cookies for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

 Looking to scare up some spooky-good Halloween treats? Or maybe you're throwing Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) shindig and need calavera (skull) cookies. Now you could do the (kind of boring and overdone) sugar cookies shaped like skulls. There are some hilarious Pinterest Skeleton fail cookie images to illustrate how not to do it! And let that be a lesson, too, that complicated isn't always better. Sometimes, you can improvise, like I did and make something better. Here's my scary-easy, wickedly yummy skull cookies. Scary-easy calavera skull cookies for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) - Grand Rapids Holidays | Examiner.com

Ghoulishly Gross Halloween Party Foods and Spooky Snacks for Trick-or-Treat

Hosting a Halloween party? Want to scare up ghoulishly gruesome (but spooky-licious) snacks your little hob-goblins? These spooky snack recipes guaranteed will gross out the bravest guest. We'll organize them by Halloween creature. Play a blindfold touch and feel game. Have guests guess what foods are. Set out labels so guests know what creepy confections they ate.
Ghosts
--flesh: marshmallows
--guts: marshmallow fluff or vanilla frosting
--ghost guts cookies: pinwheel cookies
--blood: milk
--brains dipped in ghost blood: raw cauliflower dipped in ranch dressing
Vampires
--teeth: red apple wedges dipped in Hershey's Strawberry Syrup (blood)
--bloody fingers : hot dogs with ketchup
Haunted Jack-o-Lantern
--pumpkin blood: orange juice
Bats
--teeth: black and orange candy corn
--wings: grape fruit leather or prunes
Mummies
--brains: popcorn (being dried out, mummy brains are shrively and crumbled.
--people mummies brains: make popcorn balls with marshmallows and red M&Ms.
--cat mummy brains: popcorn and red M&Ms (Egyptians loved their cats and mummified them).
--zombie Barbie brains: whole walnuts
--wrappings: cotton candy
--guts: assorted dried fruit
--hearts and ears: pretzels
Skeletons
--fingers: mozzarella cheese sticks or pretzel rods
--faces: yogurt-covered pretzels
Witches
--brains: broccoli
--blood: milk and green food coloring, limeade
--guts: pistachio pudding or guacamole (serve with tortilla chips called dragon scales)
--eyes: green grapes or sliced kiwi
--Witches' brew: mulled spiced apple cider. Have children watch as you describe and prepare. Heat monster blood (apple cide) with eye of newt (whole cloves), dragon claws (cinnamon bark), Slenderman eyes (lemon slices), toad eyes (raisins), dash of skeleton paste (butter) and ground scorpion (nutmeg).
--Witch blood slushies: frozen honey dew melon or kiwi, blended with Greek yogurt and lemonade.
Miscellaneous
--Frankenstein --Nuts and Bolts: Chex Mix or Cheerios Trail Mix
--zombie sandwiches (as in for, not made of): Sliced lunchmeat (brain cross-section) sandwiches with guts and blood (mustard and ketchup).
--eye slices: sliced kiwi or cucumber
--werewolf gut and blood sandwiches: PBJ sandwiches
--toasted spider legs: chow mien noodles
Serve these monstrously healthy snacks before trick-or-treat, to prevent tummy crummies from candy 

Preschool Apple Themed Printables, Crafts, Lessons, Recipes

Apples are the perfect theme for fall lessons. And just in time for harvest and Halloween. Here's an interactive, cross-curricular apple unit with crafts, recipes, science, art, creative writing, math, social studies, practical life, field trips and community-builders. I've added free printable apple-themed lesson plans and worksheets for activity extenders.   Preschool Apple Unit, Cross-Curricular Hands-on Crafts, Activities, Recipes

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

Free Printable Apple Activities for Fall, Halloween

Apples are a popular theme for fall lesson plans, especially for preschool lessons. Looking for apple activities for a harvest party, science lesson plans or maybe Halloween? Have I got a great sweet treat for you--a plethora of free printable apple-themed fun. This booklet includes apple math activities, science puzzles, social studies lessons and history extensions. There are printable creative writing prompts, word games and more.  Free Printable Apple Activities for Fall Preschool Lesson Plans 

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 

Free Printable Apple Activities for Fall Preschool Lesson Plans

Apples are a popular theme for fall lesson plans, especially for preschool lessons. Looking for apple activities? Have I got a great sweet treat for you--a plethora of free printable apple-themed fun. This booklet includes apple math activities, science puzzles, social studies lessons and history extensions. There are printable creative writing prompts, word games and more.  Free Printable Apple Activities for Fall Preschool Lesson Plans 

Free Printable Apple Activities, Lesson Plans

Free Printable Apple Activities Book Want to learn more the history and use of apples in Michigan? Parmenter's Northville Cider Mill (714 Baseline Rd.) has put together a free printable 8-page book about apples. It covers health, nutrition, recipes, history, science and some fun activities, too. Use this book as a follow up to a field trip, in your classroom, homeschool or just for fun at home. Read more...

Spooky Halloween Party Food and Buffet Treats--Free Printable Recipes

Spooky Halloween Party Buffet Foods and Treats Want to scare ghosts and goblins this Halloween? Try these spooky trick or treat party goodies. These treats will satisfy every vampire, witch, bat, zombie, ghost, mummy, ghoul, skeleton and monster on your Halloween party guest list. Read More

Day of the Dead - Dia de los Muertos Party Activities

Dia De Los Muertos - Day of the Dead Lesson Plans Party Activities  The Latino culture has shared many rich traditions. Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), celebrated on November 1 -All Saints Day in the Catholic church- honors deceased relatives. Here are activities and lessons to celebrate Day of the Dead. Read More

Free Christian Halloween Party Planner

Free Printable Christian Party Planner for October Parties Religious and Christian themed party with games and activities for an October event that avoids the Halloween mentality. Includes games, costumes, decorations, activities and service opportunities. Read More

Preschool Party Planner Ideas for Halloween and Holiday Parties

Cheap DIY Party Planner for Preschool Kids with Activity Stations While there are dozens of adorable kids party themes, I find it best to go with a simple, inexpensive party theme. Here's a party planner for preschool age children that's full of cheap, diy homemade fun. Based on preschool learning centers. Read More

Best Trick or Treat Candy (and worst) to Give for Halloween

Best and Worst Halloween and Trick or Treat Candy I know: Halloween is all about the candy. With poisoning scares, health problems, sugar overdoses and safety concerns, I rather skip the candy handouts at Halloween.  I've tried substituting prizes in place of candy for trick or treating. I was called everything from party pooper to unAmerican. (I'm joking--actually kids love the little books and prizes I hand out). All but my own children of course! So I cave to popular opinion and give out sweets. Here is my list of best and worst Halloween candy. Read on

Cheap Halloween Candy Giveaways for Trick or Treat

Cheap Halloween Candy Alternative Giveaways Originally written for Valentine's Day treat alternatives, the ideas listed work perfectly as Halloween treat giveaways! Over 100 inexpensive trick or treat prizes and goodies! Non-candy,sugarfree goodies, perfect for trunk-or-treat, Christian parties, office, business, doctor, dentist, library, school and any trick or treat giveaways! One year I gave out inexpensive books and my trick-or-treaters loved them. They requested them for next year. View more »

Teen Halloween Party for Guys and Girls

How to Organize and Host a Mixed Teen Party Planning a mixed boys and girls Halloween party for teenagers or tweens? Feeling a little squeamish about how to entertain teens? Here's a surefire party guide that guests will love! Low cost tips for preparation, themes, food, activities, music, cleanup, decorations, guests, indoor/outdoor options and things to avoid. View more »

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 »

Halloween Party Guide: All ages, All groups

Cheap Easy Halloween Party for Kids of Any Age Need ideas for Halloween holiday activities for children? Here is the definitive guide. Compiled by a 25-year veteran teacher and loaded with time, money and energy saving ideas, you can host a party that every one will enjoy (even you!) View more »

Halloween Party, Harvest Festival, All Saints Day Party Planner

How to Organize a School Festival or Party Overview and checklist of planning and organizing basics for hosting a large group event. Perfect for a trick or treat or scout event, school festival, Halloween parties, church harvest suppers, Catholic All Saints Day activities. Geared especially for family or children's events. 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 »