Wicked Fun Things to Do for Halloween

Kelly R:  Hide candy around the house and let your kids hunt for it with trick-or-treat bags in hand. A lights-out flashlight scavenger hunt for the candy would be fun, too!

Kristy Pepping:  Teach your family about the different cultural celebrations happening across the world around this time. For example, Día de los Muertos in Mexico, Samhain in Ireland and Dzień Zaduszny in Poland. Think about how you can incorporate elements of these rich traditions into your own celebration this year - perhaps a dinner with one dish inspired by each country!

Kristy Pepping:  Have the kids put together small bags of candy or non-candy treats. Then print off a "boo note." There are several on the Internet or have your child make one. Then, after dinner, drive around and drop off the bags at neighbors' houses. Ring the doorbell and run back to the car before anyone opens the door to see who left the treats.

Shila:  Halloween meets Easter! Organize a find-and-grab Halloween egg hunt. Put candy, or even non-candy Halloween treats, inside dozens of plastic Easter eggs. Scatter these eggs throughout your yard or local park, and continue hiding several more in discrete locations such as, in bushes, up in trees, behind rocks, etc. Kids then race to find and collect as many eggs as they can!

Kelly R:  My kids love making paper chain countdowns for fun events they're anticipating, and ripping off one link as each day passes. Make a black and orange paper chain for a fun Halloween craft that the kids can enjoy all month. Even if we will mostly be celebrating Halloween at home again this year, it's still fun to have something to get excited about!

Alexandra F.:  Gather ‘round the fire pit or under a “haunted fort” with flashlights and tell scary (or sweet) Halloween stories, tailored to kids’ ages and sensitivity. Probably a good idea to make some s’mores, too!

Kristy Pepping:  Try out some easy at home science experiments for your indoor Halloween activities this year! Mix some potions in your own mad science lab, make a few safe reactions and up the "ooze" factor.

Kelly R:  Even if you don't usually dress up, give it a try this year, especially if you're celebrating Halloween at home! It will feel so much more festive if everyone in the house is in costume, especially if you coordinate a fun family costume for everyone.

Shila:  Invite your neighbors to take part in a "night of the jack-o-lanterns" display. Carve your own family pumpkin and tack a name card to it. Display it on Halloween night on your porch, or at a communal outdoor spot alongside your neighbors' pumpkins. See how many jack-o-lanterns light up the evening!

Kelly R:  Turn down the lights, set out a big bowl of candy, and enjoy a family-favorite Halloween movie together. Hocus Pocus, anyone?

Kelly R:  Set up some of your favorite Halloween party games in the backyard for a fun mini festival to celebrate with kids. You can give out candy prizes when kids play the witch hat ring toss or mummy sack race!

Kelly R:  Whether you use a fancy kit or assemble easy "gingerbread" houses with graham crackers and frosting, have fun decorating your creation in the style of a haunted house! Use orange and black squeeze icing, candy corn, and other extra candy to customize.

Kelly R:  If your kids love building pillow and blanket forts in the living room or under a dining table, try making an epic one and turning it into a haunted hangout for reading books, watching movies and relaxing! Decorating and enjoying a spooky fort is a fun idea for celebrating Halloween at home, especially if you are able to leave it up for the whole week. You can use battery-operated candles, fake cobwebs, and any other Halloween decor you have around!

Kelly R:  If Halloween dinner in your house usually involves wolfing something down before running out the door to trick-or-treat, you might enjoy trying something a little more special. Your kids will get a kick out of fun Halloween dinner ideas like mummy hot dogs or candy corn pizza!

Kelly R:  Gather up your favorite spooky songs onto a kid-friendly playlist to enjoy as background music for your Halloween activities. Or better yet, celebrate with a Halloween dance party - in costume, of course!