Posted by
Emma Reddington
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 3:49 PM EDT
Looking to throw a Halloween party for your little ones before they head out for the night? Follow these simple eye catching ideas to create a deliciously spooky get together that is sure to thrill.
1. Start the party with a fun Halloween craft that kids of all ages can take part in.
Pick up some small brown paper bags for Halloween favours and let your little guests customize their own with stickers, stamps and decorative tape. Before you go shopping however, see if you can raid your existing craft supplies -- chances are, there's lots in there like stickers, feathers, coloured paper, etc., that can be of use.
2. Homemade stamps can easily be made by slicing an apple in half (avoid the core and seeds) and carving a face or design into the surface.
Fortunately, halved apples closely resemble the shape of pumpkins, especially when dipped the into some acrylic orange paint (you may want to try a few test stamps before the big day). Use stickers to complete the look.
3. Use a roll of brown craft paper available at most art supply stores to cover your table.
Not only does it look good and help protect your table, you can keep the roll near by for an easily renewable canvas, in case your guests get a little carried away with their crafting.
4. Once complete, let the kiddies fill up the loot bags with candy and small toys you have placed around the table.
5. For a quick and easy table scape, remember all you need is a little colour and texture coordination.
For this little fete, the inspiration is a crisp autumn day. Mix widely available natural textures and materials such as craft paper, horticultural burlap and Spanish moss with white and golden orange pumpkins and gourds. Use the burlap as an inexpensive table runner over your craft paper table cloth and continue the seasonal theme with a loose centrepiece of the season's bounty. Keep the dishes white, and let the traditional colour scheme do the talking.
6. It seems no party is complete these days without cupcakes.
These spooky marshmallow-topped treats are an easy way to update your favourite vanilla cupcake recipe. Using scissors, simply trim one end of the marshmallow so you have a flat surface to work with. Then trim the sides to create a vague triangle, making sure to leave the bottom or 'point' of the triangle round, to resemble a chin. Poke three holes in the marshmallow using a skewer for the two eyes and nose. Using a knife, make a small slit in the marshmallow for the mouth. Finally, insert a chocolate sprinkle into the holes for the eyes and nose.
7. Set up a small bar area with drinks for your young guests.
Fill any glass vessel with a beverage of your choice and dress them up with themed labels. A quick gander on the internet can yield some fun printable graphics, or you can turn store-bought bottles into a witch's secret arsenal with these labels from Martha Stewart Crafts, available at Michael’s. As darkness falls, turn down the lights and turn up that eery glow with candles, placed safely out of reach.
