Many parents are opting for Halloween or Fall
parties as an alternative to trick-or-treating. But
how do you keep all those kids safely and happily
occupied for a few hours?
These are some simple, easy to
manage games and activities that will make your
party memorable and fun. The games cover a wide age
range, choose the ones that best fit the ages and
temperaments of your guests.
THINKING GAMES
Guess How Many
Fill a jar with candy corn or
miniature
marshmallows and have guests guess how many are in
the jar. This is a good game to play at the
beginning of the party, as guests filter in.
Memory Game
Put a few theme-appropriate items
(an apple, a piece of candy, a leaf, etc.) on a
tray. Show the tray to the guests for a few seconds,
then have guests write down (or call out) as many
items as they remember.
How Many Words…can you make from
HALLOWEEN or SCARECROW.
Physical Fun
Popcorn Relay Race
Set out bowls full of popcorn at
one end of the room, empty bowls at another. Teams
must transport the popcorn from full bowl to empty,
using a measuring cup. This is a messy game - plan
it for the end of the party! (Note: popcorn is a
choking hazard for children under three).
Cotton-ball Scoop
Fill large mixing bowls with
cotton balls and give each guest a spoon. Kids must
scoop out as many cotton balls as possible in one
minute - without using fingers!
Pin The…...
...Nose on the Jack-o-Lantern,
Stem-on-the-Apple, Hat-on-the-Scarecrow, or whatever
variation best suits your party theme.
Arts And Crafts
Paints: Finger or sponge-paint
with fall colors, or black and orange. Guests can
make a tablecloth or placemats for the party, or
pictures to take home.
Collages: Guests can make collages
of fall leaves, pictures from magazines that relate
to your party theme.
Picture Frames: Buy clear plastic
frames, or make you own from craft sticks, and have
guests decorate the frames with paper, paints,
cutouts, and other craft items. Take a Polaroid of
the guests when they arrive and the photo and frame
are a great gift.
Odds And Ends
Dance - Young children love to
dance; pop in a Sesame Street tape and let them go!
Parade - If your guests come in
costume, have a costume parade throughout the house.
Ghost Stories - If your guests are
older (nine and up) have them create a ghost story.
Dim the lights and sit guests in a circle. The
host(ess) holds a flashlight and begins the story.
At an exciting or pivotal moment in the tale, pass
the flashlight to the next person to carry on the
story.
Barbara Thomas -
www.thefamilycorner.com
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