FamilyFun Big Book of Halloween

Halloween fun is for everyone. Whether your kids are chomping at the bit to perfect their costume for a night of trick-or-treating or more interested in a game of peekaboo, Halloween offers family fun opportunities for all ages. To help you kick off the season, we created the “Ultimate Halloween Countdown” (page 6), packed with crafty ideas for decorating and making your own costumes. For the haunted host with the most, get recipe ideas for kids and grown-ups in “No Tricks, So Many Treats” (page 24). Grab goofy game ideas (with free downloadable printables) and silly snacks for your littlest partygoers in “The Monster Bash” (page 86). No party is complete without a great costume, but there’s no need to fret about having to spend hours sewing. “Kids in the Hood”…

help the homeless Take small favor bags to a homeless shelter. –JESSICA WEATHERHEAD, HOPKINTON, MA bake a batch of goodies I keep leftover chocolate candy for baking desserts. –SHANNON HOLMES, SOMERS, CT use the scientific method Starting when he was 3, my son, now 10, has performed experiments with extra candy. –PAMELA J. MILLER, NEW YORK, NY donate to kids in need For Operation Christmas Child, we fill shoeboxes with little gifts and treats. –ERICA KNIGHTS, RUCKERSVILLE, VA design with gingerbread My son decorated a gingerbread house with most of his treats. –PAM COX JUTTE, CHARLESTON, SC turn candy into art Using just candy and toothpicks, our family has an annual art competition. –MICHELLE KADERA, PLACENTIA, CA support our troops We take it to a dentist who buys it and…

An estimated 157 million Americans celebrate Halloween! SURPRISE-A-DAY CALENDAR Spider rings. Ghost erasers. Your kids will love getting a Halloween-y prize each morning. MATERIALS * 12×14×3-inch shipping box * Crafts knife * 20×30-inch piece of black foam core * Double-stick tape * Yellow tissue paper or vellum * Thirty 3-oz. paper cups * Hot glue * Candy or toys INSTRUCTIONS 1. Cut one 12×14 side off the box. Cut a small hole in the top back of the box (for hanging the house later). 2. Trace the house template (find it at BHG.com/HauntedHouse) onto foam core; cut out foam-core house. 3. On back of house, outline each window with double-stick tape. Spread tissue paper flat on a clean surface. Press house, tape-side down, onto paper. Trim excess paper. 4. With…

35 million pounds of candy corn are made annually. BUSY BEE Wear: Black blazer, striped shirt, and jeans. Make: Antennae and wings. INSTRUCTIONS 1. For the antennae: For each, twist together three black pipe cleaners and one yellow pipe cleaner. Wrap one end around a headband and glue a pom-pom onto the other end; let dry. 2. For the wings: Cut out four 3×3-foot pieces of tulle; layer them on top of each other. Fold the stack accordion-style; secure at the middle with clear tape. Trim into a wing shape. Pin to the blazer. FLOWER CHILD Wear: Green dress and tights. Make: Flower collar. INSTRUCTIONS 1. Cut a 1½-inch-wide yellow ribbon to your child’s collar size, plus several inches. 2. Fold it in half lengthwise, iron to crease the center,…

bark with a bite This treat comes together fast: Melt a package of candy melts according to package directions. Spread onto parchment paper. Press in various candies; let cool. Break to serve. One package makes about nine servings. cyclops skewers Halloween can be healthy too! Thread segments of fruit (we used pineapple, kiwi, watermelon, strawberries, and clementines) onto 4-inch-long bamboo skewers; top with a melon ball. Press in mini chocolate chip pupils and carrot strip antennae. CEREAL BALLS S0 EYE-CATCHING! INGREDIENTS 3 Tbs. butter, plus extra1 (10-oz.) package marshmallows (or 4 cups miniature marshmallows)6 cups cereal (like Fruity O’s) Candy eyes Prepared frosting DIRECTIONS 1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the marshmallows; stir until melted. Remove from heat. 2. Add the cereal and stir…

CURRY-LICIOUS 2 Tbs. sweet curry spice MARYLAND STYLE 2 Tbs. Old Bay Seasoning¼ tsp. kosher salt HUNGARIAN DANCE 2 Tbs. paprika SUGAR’N SPICE ¾ cup vanilla sugar½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice…