Burning List

If it’s too wet, cold or even snowing outside to enjoy trick or treating – here’s some stay-at-home family party ideas.  Even if you go door to door or take part in a harvest party or trick-or-treat instead, you can enjoy some post-party events with the family.  Here’s some suggestions just to get started.  Once you start the party, your own family can add their own signature style to the fun:

1. Watch It’s The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown with the family.  You can purchase this to have on hand as a tradition each year or rent it or check it out from the library.  Your best bet will probably be to simply purchase it as the video stores & library may be out when you need it.  And, it’s already been shown on TV on most stations for the year.  You might get lucky and catch it in your town on your favorite television station.  Don’t forget to pop some popcorn & settle in for some family movie fun.
2. Play candy exchange.  If you do end up going trick-or-treatin’ or a harvest party, there’s usually some candy that your child doesn’t like, but another family member does.  Have a party where you play candy exchange & make everyone happy.  Or – if you don’t want the kids to have all that candy anyway, offer a “family store exchange” where you give them play money for every piece of candy & then they go “shopping at your family store (little stickers, small toys, etc. that you purchased ahead of time).”  They exchange their candy for a healthier, fun treat.
3. Play family games such as Twister or Monopoly or Boggle – Whatever your family’s favorite is, give them a Halloween/harvest party twist.  Tape pumpkins made out of construction paper to the twister board of different colors to be used instead of the painted circles.  Use candy corn or little pumpkin pieces for game pieces instead of what comes with the game.  Just use your imagination, this can be fun.
4. Save a pumpkin to carve on Halloween/harvest fest night.  If you don’t want to use the knife as it can be dangerous, use your imagination and decorate the pumpkins instead using markers, crayons, frosting & candy, whatever – be creative.  If you do use the traditional carving knife – Don’t forget to roast the seeds for a special treat.
5. Bobbing for apples used to be a popular Halloween party game.  But, as people realized the entire host of party goers would come down with mono or such after the party, things have changed.  So, have your own variety of bobbing for apples without the germ-filled water.  Use toy fishing rods & reels & apple magnets & then whoever “catches” the most apples gets a real apple.
6. Make your own yummy caramel apples.
7. Have a fire in the fireplace & make your own S’mores

whatever you do, make the most of the night with your family.