Tag: Halloween

Super Simple DIY Costumes for Kids

Photo Credit: ecstaticist via Compfight cc — Photo: ecstaticist via Compfight cc

Need an easy-to-assemble costume for your child to wear to her school’s Book Character Day or a last-minute Halloween costume (that doesn’t look like you threw it together in the eleventh hour)? Check out these adorable costume ideas that work for kids, little and big. Most can be assembled from an inexpensive shopping list if not with what you already have on hand. You’ll get big props from your kids, and you won’t spend a fortune or sprout any new gray hairs pulling it together!

The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

Deck your little lady turned old lady in a straw hat, borrowed plaid shirt for a dress, and black glasses. Pin a large drawing of a fly or spider (“that wiggled and jiggled and tickled inside her!”) to her chest, and voila! There’s no mistaking her for anyone other than the hungry, old woman in “There Once Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly.”

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly via Google Shopping

Max from Where the Wild Things Are

Create little boy Max’s white suit with white leggings or sweat pants and a t-shirt or sweatshirt. Cut a yellow crown from heavy card stock or cardboard – create a fancy version with these crown craft instructions. Use a sock for a tail.

Viola Swamp

Remember Miss Viola Swamp, the meanest, most horrible substitute teacher for Miss Nelson’s class in Harry Allard’s, “Miss Nelson Is Missing?” Recreate her with a long black dress (or graduation robe), striped socks, and a black, messy wig. Then go to town with some really poorly applied make-up!

Clifford the Big Red Dog

A fan of the frisky, Big Red Dog will love turning into this favorite character. Create a red suit with red sweats or leggings. You can use a red stocking hat with felt ears attached and collar borrowed from the dog. A sibling or buddy could dress as Clifford’s loyal companion, Emily Elizabeth.

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Harold is one to remember for a last-minute costume crisis. All it takes is a pair of jeans, an over-sized white t-shirt or a blue or white baby sleeper (depending on which Harold book you reference) and a big purple crayon. You can use a jumbo Crayola or go bolder by drawing a crayon on cardboard.

Harry Potter

There are lots of ways to pull this together. For the simplest version, start with a pair of glasses, a cape (even a bathrobe) and a broom. Use eyeliner to sprinkle a few freckles across your little guy or girl’s cheeks and add a lightning bolt scar across the forehead. To take it a little further for a real-deal look, check out Fiskar’s instructions for making everything from a necktie to the wand.

Cinderella

If you can talk your princess into foregoing her regal garb, Cinderella before the ball would be a great, unexpected character costume. Dress her in ragged, old clothes, smudge her face with “soot,” and have her carry a cleaning bucket.

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Simple Halloween Crafts for Kids

Whether ghoulish goblins or perky pumpkins are your thing this time of year, we have fun Halloween crafts you and your kids will love. Browse the blogs for detailed instructions from these crafty creators – then tie on your smocks and get busy with these cool DIY projects that are just right for kids.

Modern, Pop Art Pumpkin

Everyone carves a pumpkin. Why not break from tradition and take a new approach with your gourd this year? Neon-Dipped Pumpkins from A Night Owl Blog are just the thing. Start with any pumpkin – orange, black or ivory – and spray paint it white (several light coats until fully covered). Dip it into one super cool neon paint, flip it over so it drips down the sides and allow to dry. Awesome!

Pom-Pom Ghosts

Any child of the 80’s can attest, making pom-poms is as fun as it is addictive. Take a break from the Rainbow Loom and give pom-poms a try. Pom Pom Ghosts from Mr. Printables are just the place to start. They are simple and quick to make. Who knows, maybe they’ll kick off a new trend.

DIY Spider Sacks

While you have the yarn out for your pom-poms, why not dive into this fun paper-maché-like craft – spider sacks from Modern Parents Messy Kids. The craft will thrill kids who love creepy crawlies and make for the perfect Halloween decoration when you hang them from a chandelier. All you need is craft glue, yarn, a bag of water balloons and some plastic bugs.

Pushpin Pumpkin

Want a craft that will keep your kids busy and result in home décor, too? Pushpin Pumpkins from A Subtle Revelry will do just that. Use multiple colors of push pins inserted into the pumpkin in random fashion for a festive polka-dot look or try using silver studded tacks in a black pumpkin for a mighty moto vibe.

Handprint Spiders in DIY Web

Here’s a cute project for the littlest ones. This multiple-step craft will keep kids busy painting a paper plate, turning handprints into spiders, gluing googly-eyes on their creepy crawlers and then lacing a string of yarn through random holes you punch to create their own handprint spider in a web.

Candy Corn Pudding Pops

Who said crafts can’t be edible? The whole crew will enjoy making these homemade pudding pops as much as they enjoy eating them. They are easier to make than you’d think – follow the recipe’s recommendations for a couple of boxes of Instant Vanilla and White Chocolate Pudding Mix.

Q-Tip Skeletons

Likely the easiest of the bunch, the Q-Tip Skeleton via A Little Artsy and a Little Craftsy requires good ole Q-tips (which make for perfect bones), glue and scissors, and a sheet of black construction paper to mount your skeleton in any pose you like. Keep it fuss-free by cutting a head out of a scrap of white paper and use a Sharpie to draw the face.

May your “witch crafting” make for a wonderful afternoon with your kids! Do you have a favorite Halloween craft? Share with us – we’d love to see what DIY keeps you and your little goblins busy!

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Healthy Halloween Treats

Halloween usually means one thing to children — candy! Of course it also means costumes, trick-or-treating and spooky fun. But candy ranks up there as most kids’ favorite treat when October rolls around. Here are a few healthy indulgences that most little ones will enjoy — mummy and daddy, too.

1. Pumpkin bread. Mmmmm…baking a loaf of pumpkin bread makes your whole house smell like Fall. The cinnamon and cloves, the canned pumpkin — which is super high in Vitamins A and C, as well as beta carotenes — come together in a delectable way. Most supermarkets sell an easy mix, or if you’re inspired, make it from scratch. Throw in some chocolate chips to seriously up the yum factor.

2. Oranges with a celery stem. Easy as (pumpkin) pie. Peel oranges (or clementines) and stick a celery stalk on top. Voila! Mini pumpkins with an edible stem.

3. Pumpkin seeds. Roasting pumpkin seeds is a classic tradition for many families. Kids can help scoop out the mucky insides of a pumpkin and spread onto a foil-lined baking sheet. Add a little olive oil, toss with salt and bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees. Crunchy and filled with vitamins to boot, these little guys are sure to be gobbled up quickly. Change up your recipe by adding cinnamon sugar or garlic salt for a different taste altogether.

4. Hard boiled ghost eggs. These make a perfect breakfast for little ghouls and boys. Just boil a few eggs, let them cool, then make a jagged cut across and bottom and add eyes and mouth with black food coloring. Frightfully easy!

5. Spider web pizza. This one is a great take on a popular kid-friendly dinner. Take standard pizza crust, add tomato sauce, and then thinly peeled string cheese in the shape of a web. Other toppings can be added, too. Bake at 450 degrees for 8-10 minutes and dig in.

Whatever you choose to indulge in this Halloween, do it with gusto! Your little monsters are sure to enjoy the process as well as the result.

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This Fall’s Must-Do Activities with Kids

fall activities for kids — photo credit: D Sharon Pruitt

Ahhh, Autumn. It’s many people’s favorite season, and for good reason — the nip in the air, the crisp leaves, the pumpkin-flavored espresso drinks — to name just a few. And for little ones, there’s loads of fun to be had. Why not take the whole family and indulge in one of these sure-to-please Fall diversions on your next free weekend?

1. Pumpkin Patch

Now, this one is a classic, tried and true. Children are just as pleased with a trip to the super market aisle or an off-the-freeway patch complete with jumpy house. But most counties have at least one big, fall-festival-like patch with a corn maze, hot cider stand, and maybe even a petting zoo.

These off-the-beaten-track spots offer a little something extra and really bring the experience home. Plus, the car ride builds anticipation. Check out these safe, no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas.

2. Apple Picking

If you venture out a little further into the country (or deep suburbs in some spots), you can usually find a place to pick apples when Fall rolls around.

A family farm is the typical backdrop and kids as young as one or two can join in the fun. Apple orchards are heaving with fruit this time of year and for a small fee, you can borrow a basket and pick as many you like (or want to pay for), as you meander amongst the trees and livestock. Have a taste or make apple cider at home! This is a fun, easy activity for families and makes for a great photo op as well. Some farms require an appointment, so do your research.

3. Pie Making

Once you’ve picked your apples (or purchased them at the grocery store), why not share the experience of making a home-made pie with your kids?

Whether you have Grandma’s tried and true recipe or one just downloaded, the kids will love the hands-on experience…and delectable result. You can even let the kids use cookie cutters to decorate the crust….easy as pie! And sure to fill your home with a delicious Fall aroma.

4. Jumping in Leaves

A classic straight out of a Normal Rockwell painting. But truly, leaf jumping never gets old for kids–or even dogs. Just use a standard rake to gather the leaves in your yard and let them go to town. Of course, you will have to deal with the end product — a mess of crispy leaf bits, but it’s worth it…right?

If you don’t have a yard full of leaves, head to your favorite park and do the same. In that case, the kids will have to gather the leaves themselves, but that in itself can be a great diversion.

Whatever you do this Fall, enjoy yourself! It’s a cozy season filled with rosy cheeks, full moons, and warm sweaters. Plus, before you know it, the madness of the holidays will be upon you. So get out there!

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What to do When Your Child Wants to Wear a Snowsuit in September

Whether you have a toddler who refuses to get dressed, a preschooler who insists on wearing the same seasonally-inappropriate outfit each and every day, or a grade-schooler who’s set on dressing like a teenage pop star, you are undoubtedly all too familiar with the frustration of battling with your child over what he or she will wear.

You can take a bit of comfort in knowing that you are certainly not alone! Experts say most kids put up a fight over what they’ll wear, as it’s simply one of the best ways they have of asserting their independence. So how do you get them out of the house without embarrassing at least one of you?

Here are 10 Tried-and-True Tips for Winning the Wardrobe Battle:

Determine where you stand in letting your kids choose their clothes. Which camp are you in? Is clean and decent simply good enough or do you have a certain standard that you are not willing to compromise?
Find a way to give your child some power over the situation. The best way to do this is to provide choices. The options you give set parameters for what you’ll allow, but giving your child a choice gives him a sense of control and also helps him to learn how to make decisions.
Toddlers don’t like transitions. Make it easier by giving them a warning when it’s almost time to get dressed. You can also validate their desire to stay in their PJs with something like, “I know, those jammies are so comfy. We’ll get them back on tonight.”
It’s more difficult to win a battle when you are rushed. Make sure everyone has plenty of time to get dressed in the morning. If you have a child who’s likely to put up a fuss, set the alarm a good 30 minutes early. You’ll be able to remain calm, and keep outbursts at bay.
While you’d love for your child to look like the kids you see in catalogs, take comfort in knowing that letting her decide what to wear builds confidence and helps to instill a sense of personal responsibility.
Don’t cave in to a begging child and buy an article of clothing that makes you cringe just so you can get out of the store. We guarantee your child will plead to wear that (neon pink t-shirt with giant Disney princesses) each and every day.
Choose your battles. It won’t be long before your child outgrows her dying desire to wear a ballet leotard or an old Halloween costume to school. Sometimes it’s good enough if she’s simply adequately clothed for the weather – no bare legs in the winter or parkas in July.
Understand that your child’s clothing choices are not a reflection of your parenting skills. Other adults won’t assume you’ve chosen to pair plaid and polka dots for your child. They’ll assume you’ve given your child some creative control, and decided to focus your energies on something you deem more important.
Take the time to choose an outfit you both agree on before bedtime, rather than five minutes before morning carpool.
Communicate the rules and stick to them! Consistency is key.

It’s helpful and effective to have anyone who cares for your child on-board with your guidelines of what’s acceptable clothing, so whatever you decide to do, be sure to communicate with your babysitter or nanny and ask that she back you up!

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7 Pumpkin Projects for Little Ones

Pumpkin Crafts Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography — Photo by D Sharon Pruitt

There’s a pretty good chance you’ve taken your kids to a pumpkin patch, farmer’s market or even a grocery store this weekend, and are now living with a menagerie of pumpkins, little and big. Do you realize you’re sitting on a goldmine of kid craft potential?!

Bring your pumpkins to the table, gather your craft supplies, call a friend or two to make a fun play date out of it, and get down to business! Not the crafty type or invited more than a few friends? Call in a sitter to help!

Here are 7 of our favorite pumpkin projects:

Gourd Family: Stack miniature pumpkins to build a replica of your own family. The gourd people on MarthaStewart.com are made by gluing natural materials, such as acorns, nuts, leaves, and flowers… which means you can start your project by taking a nature walk to gather supplies.

Giggly Ghoul: They’ll be giggling so hard, they’ll have a hard time finishing this one. Talk about bang for your buck – insert two thumbtacks for eyes, carve out a mouth and insert removable teeth. How can these not have you in stitches?!

Fall Leaves + Pumpkin = Perfect decoration for the table, foyer or front porch: Gather gorgeous fall leaves and dry them under a book for several days. Brush decoupage glue on a pumpkin (white is especially nice). Arrange the leaves on the pumpkin’s surface, cutting small slits along the edges of the leaves as you go, so they’ll fit the pumpkin’s contours. Coat the decorated surface in decoupage glue.

Message on a Pumpkin: Put on your thinking caps and come up with a fun message to write/paint/glue on your pumpkins. How about your family name (with a pumpkin for each letter), or a spooky Halloween shout-out like “Boo,” “Beware,” or “Who Goes There?!” You can cater to your kids’ ages and abilities, keeping it simple with glitter glue or stepping it up by glue-gunning buttons, acorns or candy to spell out your message.

Give Thanks: How about making a festive vessel for a bouquet of fall flowers? Clean out the insides of your pumpkin (save the seeds for snack time), and insert a handful of fall flowers or branches. You can make it a spooky treat (and a bigger project) by first painting the pumpkin, then giving it a face. Don’t carve out too much, as you’ll want to fill it with a bit of water if you hope to make it last.

Talking Pumpkin: This one will get the neighborhood trick-or-treaters talking! Carve a face for your pumpkin, scary or silly will work. Instead of making a removable top, cut a hole in the bottom. Once cleaned and carved, sit your masterpiece atop a baby monitor. Voila, you have a talking pumpkin!

Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: Wait, don’t throw out that muck! Make a toasty snack of pumpkin seeds. It’s as simple as digging through the strings and pulp – what better job for a crew of little hands – and cleaning off the seeds. Spread the pumpkin seeds on baking sheet, drizzle with oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake 45 minutes at 325 degrees, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted. Yum!

Need a sitter for the pre- or post-Halloween weekend? Log on to UrbanSitter and search for a babysitter by date & time.

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10 Solutions to “What to Be For Halloween?”

What’s your child going to be for Halloween this year? If you haven’t decided, dread the thought of hitting the costume isle or combing the Internet to find something that will please both you and your kids (and is the right size), let us help.

We’ve found 10 Super Cool Make-It-Yourself Halloween Costumes that are sure to impress your friends and neighbors, and more importantly your kids. No matter what your needs or limitations, we’ve found your perfect costume!

When you need a good excuse to dress up, too: Little Lamb

Mary had a little lamb, and you can, too! You can be Mary, and will have a blast turning your munchkins into a doting herd of little lambs. These lambs are outfitted in batting sewn onto a leotard worn over a black tee and tights. There’s a template for making the ears, and a little face paint will finish it off.

When the budget is bust and time is of the essence: Baby-saurus

It doesn’t get much easier or cheaper than this one… and it’s pretty dang cute! Cut sponges in half on the diagonal and super glue them to the back and head of a matching one-piece suit (or jammies) and a cap.

When Brother and Sister are best of pals and two is better than one: The King and The Queen

It’s hard to believe these are no-sew costumes. They look to good to be easy, but truly they are. Follow the instructions for making the capes and embellishing a suit and fancy dress your kids already own.

When you crave homemade, but DIY is not your thing: Max from Where the Wild Things Are

Cheating a little? Yes, but not really. Here’s a homemade costume made by someone else. It’s adorable, original and looks way better than anything mass produced.

When you’re a master of the glue gun and love a little glam: The Peacock

Gorgeous and eye-catching, this little peacock comes together with a onesie, pair of tights, handful of feathers, and some elastic sequin bands… and a really good glue gun.

When you have a gaggle of girls: Mermaids

Sure, you could let them all be Disney princesses, but if you have more than one daughter, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve had all the princess you can stomach. How about mermaids (call her Ariel, if she’s a die-hard Disney fan)? How cute would it be to make them all tails and have each girl choose her own color top and crown to make it her own?

When you want a fun project to do together: Knight in Shining Armor

Plan on doing some shopping for this one, including a hardware, craft and sporting goods store… unless you already own a lot of duct tape; a clean, empty paint can; and knee and elbow pads, among other materials.

When you want to light up their world: Sci-Fi Avenger

The crafter who created this sure-fire hit costume claims it takes little more than “ garbage, spray paint, felt fire, and 20 minutes.” Even if your kid isn’t a Star Wars fan, it’s unlikely he or she will want to take this off.

When your baby is so yummy, you could eat her up: Candy Corn Baby

This is a great costume for little ones trick-or-treating, since it will keep them warm and cozy. You’ll need a sewing machine, but the tutorial is easy to follow and the lines are straight, so it’s not too tough, even for the sewing beginner.

No time for DIY? There’s undoubtedly a babysitter ready and willing to jump into a fun project with your kids! Check out babysitter profiles on UrbanSitter to find the perfect fit.

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DIY Halloween Decorating

Not the crafty type? All thumbs when it comes to a glue gun and anything DIY, but longing to jazz up your home with a bit of Halloween or Falltime decoration? Have no fear. We’ve rounded up 5 super cool Pins that make DIY Halloween Decorating a breeze even for the most unhandy of us. Check out our full Pinterest board for more DIY Halloween ideas, including costumes!

Take a look at these fun, festive ideas to bring the season into your house:

These black and white painted pumpkins are ot your average jack-o’lanterns! Think beyond a big, orange pumpkin with triangle cut-outs for eyes. These guys were created by making a base with white flat acrylic craft paint and adding the spider web or a pattern (like a chevron) with a paint pen (or Sharpee). There’s a nifty template if your heart is set on replicating the big beetle.
This black burlap wreath is super simple – just a wreath form, some burlap, a can of spray paint and some letters to paint and glue on. Best part is that it can be customized to fit your style. Keep it cute and simple like this one, go modern rustic by leaving the burlap its natural color, or go all out Halloween by adding more embellishments.
Glittery spider webs make great decorations for windows or tabletops. They are fun to make and a great craft to get the kids involved. Redbook tutorial tells you how: Tape 2 sheets of wax paper together and lay them flat. Begin drawing your spiderweb with Elmer’s glue (refrigerate for a few hours first so it’s less runny) by making an asterisk with 4 lines. Starting at the center, cast a single line connecting each asterisk spoke; continue until the web is the size you want. Pour glitter on top of glue web and let it sit overnight. Shake off excess glitter and let the web sit for another 2 days to completely dry and harden. Using a spatula, gently peel the web off the wax paper.
Bring the outside in with this pretty idea for your mantel. It’s little more than a couple of galvanized pots spilling over with baby pumpkins and one upright and brimming with natural and store-bought branches. The sparkle comes from adding lighted branches like these we found at Target.
Papier-mache ghosts to hang from a doorway or front porch are just the thing to inspire a ghoulishly fun time in your home. And who among us hasn’t dabbled in a bit of papier-mache back in the day? It’s loads of fun! Make them extra spooky by adding a battery-powered tea light or glow stick. Detailed instructions are here.

No time for decorating? Find a babysitter on UrbanSitter to watch the kids while you head out for shopping.

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