11 totally screen-free ideas to make the most of the Halloween season 🎃
Ahoy, parents!
Halloween is a favourite with kids, and it's easy to see why. It's a chance to dress up, get creative, try something new and have a bit of fun together.
Here are 11 totally screen-free ideas to make the most of the Halloween season.
1. Make a costume prop
There are plenty of ready-made costumes available, so there's no need to spend weeks sewing one from scratch. But making a prop is a great way to get kids involved and add their own touch.
My son is making a Roman shield this year after seeing one at a Roman festival. We've sourced large sheets of cardboard, covered them with white paper, researched what Roman shields looked like and even learnt some Latin along the way. Now it's time to paint it.
You could make a wand, sword or crown to complete your costume. Let your imagination shine!
2. Decorate your windows
Give your home a Halloween makeover for free. Reuse decorations from previous years, make a paper garland or cut out bats, ghosts and pumpkins from coloured paper.
For ideas, take a look at these easy Halloween paper crafts from Twinkl.
3. Go on a pumpkin trail
Look out for pumpkin trails and Halloween events in your local area. Some are organised walks, while others involve spotting pumpkins and spooky decorations around the neighbourhood.
You can also make your own trail on a family walk. See how many pumpkins, witches, skeletons and ghosts you can spot.
4. Try some Halloween nature crafts
Combine an autumn walk with a bit of crafting. Collect fallen leaves, twigs and conkers, then use them to make ghostly leaf decorations, painted conker pumpkins, magic wands or stick skeletons.
You could also turn the walk into a scavenger hunt. Who can find the best wand-shaped stick or the most colourful leaf?
For more ideas, check out the Woodland Trust's 13 Halloween nature crafts and activities for kids.
5. Carve a pumpkin
A Halloween classic. Draw a design on your pumpkin, let the kids scoop out the insides and leave the carving to an adult.
Go beyond the traditional scary face with stars, cats, funny expressions or simple patterns. If carving isn't your thing, painting mini pumpkins is an easy alternative.
6. Host an after-school craft session
Invite a few pals over, put out some snacks and get crafty. Paper bats, monster masks, spooky bunting and cardboard-tube characters are all easy options.
You don't need loads of supplies or an art degree. A few basic materials will do the job.
7. Make some spooky potions
Turn the kitchen into a witches' laboratory. Gather cups, spoons and containers, then let the kids mix their own imaginary potions.
Challenge them to invent a potion with a name and special powers. Will it make you invisible, give you super strength or turn you into a frog?
8. Try a Halloween bath bomb
Make bath time a bit more fun with a bath bomb in a spooky colour or shape. Seasonal options are widely available around Halloween.
If you live near a LUSH shop, take a look at their Halloween collection.
9. Cook something with pumpkin
Pumpkin isn't just for carving. It's also a great seasonal ingredient to use in the kitchen.
Try roasted pumpkin, pumpkin soup, risotto or pumpkin pie. Get those young chefs involved, too!
Need inspiration? Browse Ottolenghi's pumpkin recipes.
10. Crack your scariest joke at dinner
Time to put your best (or worst) jokes to the test! Take turns telling your scariest joke around the dinner table. The challenge? Get a laugh from the rest of the family.
Who didn't brush their teeth?
Mwhahahaha! 👻
Give yourself a point for every laugh. Bonus points if you can make someone snort!
11. Go trick-or-treating
The moment you've all been waiting for! 🎃 Get the costumes ready, grab your buckets and head out for some trick-or-treating.
Check which houses are taking part, plan a suitable route and consider teaming up with a few other families to make an evening of it.
Ultimately, Halloween is about spending time together, having a laugh and making memories that last long after the sweets are gone.
Have a lovely Halloween! 🎃