How Can I Make My Son's Halloween Fun?

Hi, we also have concerns about the amount of candy our kids (8, 5, and 3yrs) eat at Halloween. Last year, we let the kids go trick or treating, but instead of letting them eat all the candy, we "bought" it back from them at $0.10 a piece. They each ended up with about $11.00, enough to take them to Target the next day to get them each a small toy of their choice. My husband then took the bags of candy to work the following week to put in the common room so it was out of our house...no temptation for us to dig in. It was so successful, we'll be doing it again this year! Have Fun!!

I am not sure if you go to church or not, but most churches have things to do around and on halloween so children aren't left out. Most have bobbing for apples, games, goody bags with toys in them, costume contests. Maybe you can find a pumpkin patch or hay ride in your area. Maybe you could offer to make a special dinner for him they have great halloween recipies in Better home and Gardens or buy several bags of sugar free candy and substitute what he collects? Slice up apples, soak in a little lemon water so won't turn brown and wrap in saran wrap with twist ties, organize a neighborhood costume parade for about 2 or three blocks with apple bobbing, games etc after with neighbor families and include pets (my kids love seeing pets in costumes! Hey, at that age, it is the door to door and seeing the other kids in costume that is the kicker, not so much the candy. I wish I could come up with more ideas to help you. Good Luck and have fun that's what it's really about.

M.

How about going to Anderson Farms in Lafayette? I'm not sure if they're open on Halloween, but right now they are and it is kid heaven. There are haunted things, a corn maze, pumpkins, goats, rabbits, a little cart ride for kids his age, hot cider, etc. It is great. Don't take him to the "Terror in the Corn" though, it is way too scary for someone his age, and better for teens and adults. Here's the website: http://www.andersonfarms.com/ Another idea might be to carve pumpkins and make pumkin seeds. Or what about going trick or treating but tell him you're collecting candy for homeless people and then go to the homeless shelter the next day and donating it and making it a lesson about thinking about others, but making something special for him, like pumpkin cupcakes? Those are my ideas.

Hi,

I am the author of Halloween School Parties...What Do I Do?. My award-winning book is jammed packed with 10 years worth of ideas for games, crafts/favors, treats, drinks, costumes, etc... I know you will find loads of things to do with your son that will make him feel like he is a part of Halloween without eating all the candy. You can view it at my website at www.whatdoidobooks.com.. I also have some events coming up that you can meet me if you look at my author schedule. A lot of local stores in Littleton carry my book too. Good Luck!

Author W. Ripple