The night of Halloween can be very exciting for children, the anticipation of going trick-or-treating just drive’s them crazy. Asking you every five minutes “is it time to go yet”. You decorate the outside the house, place your pumpkins on the porch and get the candy ready, but do you take in consideration the safety required when going from door to door in the dark? Below are some helpful safety tips for everyone to remember. Tips for keeping your children safe and your yard safe for the trick-or-trreaters.

Trick-or Treaters:

Carry a flashlight-Have your Children wear something that glo’s (like a glo stick, glo bracelet/necklace or light up shoes work great too)

Trick-or Treat in familiar neighborhoods, plan your route in advance

Wear shoes that fit (tennis shoes are your best bet)

No dragging Costumes (be sure the costume is comfortable)

Costume mask must be comfortable and provide adiquete visiability for the child.

Always walk never allow your children to run, when dark outside your child may not see an obstacle in the road or grass.

Leave Props (knives,swords etc….) at home, though they may be great for a party, not particular fun on Halloween night, because usually you end up carry them.

Only trick-or-treat at lit homes

Keep your children hydrated, bring something for them to drink.

Bring a practical bag or container to carry the trick-or-treaters loot, the easier to carry the less likely you will end up carry the bag

Don’t trick-or-treat after 9:00 p.m.

Trick-or-Treat Tips for the Parents

Feed your children dinner or a snack before going trick-or treating.

Always accompany your children while trick-or treating.

Be sure the costume your child is wearing is flame retardant.

Have your children use the bathroom before you leave.

Never allow your children to eat the candy before you have inspected the candy.

Resident/Homeowner Trick-or-Treat Tips

Keep your yard,sidewalk or porch, free of anything children might trip on.

Think safety when decorating your home, keep those pumpkins with candles lit in them where children won’t catch their costumes on them or try to reach inside.

Keep your home well lit and inviting to the trick-or-treaters.

Keep your pets secured or put away in the house, this is not only good for the trick-or-treaters, your pet will appreciate it as well.

If you follows these safety tips you are sure to have a great trick-or-treat night with your children.

]]> http://www.coolesthalloweencostumes.com/wp/2008/08/halloween-trick-or-treat-safety-tips/feed/ http://www.coolesthalloweencostumes.com/wp/2008/08/fun-halloween-party-recipes/ http://www.coolesthalloweencostumes.com/wp/2008/08/fun-halloween-party-recipes/#comments Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:34:22 +0000 Admin http://www.coolesthalloweencostumes.com/wp/?p=8 Halloween Party Recipes

Creating a menu for a party can be fun, but not as fun and festive as creating one for a Halloween party.  Whether the party is for adults or children you can be very creative with the food.  Create the allusion of gross,creepy,crawly and scary out everyday food items. Use your imagination  and  the results will be fantastic.  Below are some fun and easy recipes. Check back often, as more are added daily.  Also if you would like to add to this collection, please leave a comment.

Brain Cupcakes

12 Cupcakes
Butter cream Frosting
Food Coloring

1.Bake 12 cupcakes (follow instructions on cake mix packaging)
2.Lightly spread a  layer of frosting on each cupcake (to create the color you would like for the brain, which is usually a light grayish-pink, mix the desired colors of food coloring into the butter cream icing)
3.Using a pastry bag (with #10 round tip) or plastic baggies (with the corner cut) which will create the zig-zag lines on top, begin in the middle and fill in on the sides.

Skull Cupcakes

24 Cupcakes (unfrosted)
Confectioners Sugar
Marshmallows
White Frosting, chocolate chips, slivered almonds

1.Cut each marshmallow in half and dip in confectioner sugar
2.Carefully pull the liner of the cupcake away from the cake and place the half marshmallow into the liner.
3.Frost the top of the cupcake with the white frosting, including the marshmallow, then decorate with the Junior Mints (eyes) chocolate chip (nose) and slivered almonds (teeth).

Severed Finger Snack

String Cheese
Green Bell Pepper
Cream Cheese

1.Cut each string cheese in half and at the rounded end carve out a shallow area for the nail bed
2.Next create the knuckles, by horizontally carving small lines under the nail and in the middle of the finger (like a real finger would look)
3.Cut your bell pepper in to 3/8 “ stripes and remove the pulp until it is about half the thickness, and cut into nail shape, leaving the top of the nail ragged and torn look. Place the nail into the nail bed using your cream cheese as the glue.

Pizza Mummies

English Muffins
Pizza Sauce
Black Olives
Scallions
Red and Green Peppers
Cheese Sticks or Slices

Heat oven to 350F

1.   For each mummy, cut the English muffin in half, spread the pizza sauce.
2.   Place black olives (eyes) and use either onion or bell pepper for the pupil.
3.   Lay strips of cheese across the muffin, for the mummies bandages.
4.Bakes about 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the muffin is toasted.

Punch w/ Insect Ice cubes

Ice Cube with raisins frozen in them
4-1 pint bottles of cranberry juice
2 ½ cups of peach juice
1 cup of fresh lime juice
2 cups of orange juice
Sugar to taste

Mix all ingredients together in punch bowl, add the ice cubes w/insects

Worm Bucket Sandwiches

Hot dogs
Hamburger Bun
Ketchup

1.Cut hot dog into long thin strips, score the outside of the strips
2.Boil or microwave until they curl, like wiggly worms
3.Serve on bun, add a few drops of ketchup for extra grossness

Halloween: Recipes and Crafts
Price: $6.74
Prepare for a monster bash this Halloween with this delightful book packed with more than 100 ideas for indoor and outdoor decorations, games, jack o’lanterns, recipes and party favors. Christine and Rosa show you how to create your own Sleepy Hollow complete with tombstones, hovering ghosts, frightful lanterns and a tunnel of terror. With their sure-fire recipes, you’ll be able to conjure up a variety of devilish delights in the kitchen and you’ll be decorating and displaying dressed-to-thrill pumpkins.

Halloween Celebrations: Everything You Need for a Fabulous Halloween Party Shown in Over 100 Colour Photographs - Recipes, Costumes, Decoratio
Price: $9.00
The evocative and inspirational celebration of Halloween provides a wealth of seasonal delights for making the most of this celebratory time of year. Ideas range from scary party disguises to a delicious selection of warming recipes with pumpkin and sweets & cakes on spooky themes.

The (K) next to the theme means it’s kid friendly too.

Scary Movie Characters- from Hollywood’s Horror films.
Science Fiction (K)
Star Wars (K)
Harry Potter (K)
Blockbuster Movies (K)
Year themed parties ( the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s etc…)  (K)
Rocky Horror Show
Music Singer or Band (K)
Famous Couples (K)
Animals (K)
Cartoon Characters (K)
Super Heroes (K)
Mobster’s (K)
Fairy Tail Books (K)
Sports (K)

The sky is the limit when creating your theme.  Be sure to list on the invitation that it’s a theme party, so your guest will be dressed to fit the part.  Check out the great games ideas on our site and the scary and gross food/drink recipes.

If you would like to add to this Halloween Theme Party list, please feel free to leave a comment.