HaPpY HaLLoWeEn!

HaPpY HaLLoWeEn!!  I did not mean to pull such an awful trick and not post anything Halloween related for so long!  If you only knew how busy everything has been in my life lately you would completely understand!  Next year I will have to be more on top of things!  For now, I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween, but more importantly I hope you will all be able to survive tomorrow.  I know I am worried!! :)

Witches Stew Game

Halloween Idea #13 - Witches Stew Game:

Family Fun offers this fun Halloween game that you can use at a class party.  Only 3 items are needed to get going...straws, construction paper and a bowl.

The instructions from Family Fun are as follows:

1.Before the party, ask your kids to help you cut ten Halloween shapes, such as ghosts, bats and pumpkins from construction paper. Each shape should be about the size of a silver dollar. Place the shapes in a pile beside a small bowl.

2.Using the straw as a vacuum, each contestant tries to pick up a shape and place it in the bowl to create the Witch's Stew. Time the players to see who can get all ten in the bowl the fastest.

Ghost Party Favor

Halloween Idea #12 - Ghost Party Favor

Are you need need of a simple, cute, and EASY (not to mention inexpensive) Halloween favor?  I stumbled across this idea from The Gaines Gang.  I love the simplicity behind this idea.  And the supplies? No problem!  In fact, I am sure you may already have everything you need on hand!

Don't Eat Jack!

Halloween Idea #11 - Don't Eat Pete Jack!

Have you ever played the game Don't Eat Pete?  It's a fun game where you need a game board (like the one above...or something different depending on the holiday) and some small treat...M & M's, cereal pieces, Smarties, Candy Corn, etc.  Put your choice of candy in the middle of each square.  Send one person out of the room or have them cover their eyes.  Have a designated "it" person choose which candy piece will be "Pete", or in this case "Jack".  Have the person return to the room/open their eyes and start eating the candy off the game board.  As soon as the person picks up "JacK" everyone yells "DON'T EAT JACK!"  Continue playing the game until everyone has had a turn to be it. 
 Toddler Approved has a great printable DON'T EAT JACK! game board just waiting to be used!

Glass Block {Candy Corn} Pumpkin

Halloween Idea # 10 - Glass Block Candy Corn Pumpkin

Crafts Direct has the tutorial for how to make one of these for yourself!  Think how cute this would be on an entry table of your hous or as a teacher gift!  If I made this, would just need to make sure my daughter couldn't break into this to steal all that candy corn.

Sucker Count Down Tree to Halloween

Halloween Idea # 9 - Halloween Sucker Count Down Tree:

This craft is totally going on my "To Make" List, that is growing longer everyday that I spend on blogs and pinterest!  I remember my family having a countdown tree similar to this growing up, only ours was used for Christmas.  I absolutely loved it!  I know that my own kids would LOVE doing this too, or hey, even in the classroom!  Check out Crafty Sisters for the step by step tutorial on how to make one of these for yourself!

Halloween Bowling

Halloween Idea # 8 - Halloween Bowling #1:

I have seen 2 takes on the idea of Halloween bowling.  The first idea I found at A Girl and a Glue Gun.  This idea looks as though it might take a little more work to get the idea to come together but I love the result.  Decorate 10 tin cans and put a little treat inside each can.  The kids take turns rolling a small pumpkin or gourd and which ever can/cans they knock over, they get to keep the treat found inside that can.

Halloween Bowling #2:

Draw some ghost faces on {6} toilet paper rolls and create your pumpkin to resemble a bowling ball and you are all set to go.  This idea comes from Jeanetics.

Either idea you choose, both are great ideas for entertaining kidsat a party!!

Dryer Duct Pumpkin

Halloween Idea # 7 Dryer Duct Pumpkin -

Can you believe just how create some people can be?  I mean honestly, who looks at a DRYER DUCT and thinks to themselves,  "Hmmm...how can I turn this into a pumpkin?"  Yup, that's right, this craft comes to you from House of Hepworths, where they did just that!

(5) Items needs for this simple craft project:

* an aluminum dryer duct 3″ diameter about 21″ long

* 3 cinnamon sticks
* raffia
* hot glue gun or small stapler
* orange Rust-oleum spray paint

Head over to the link above for the complete step-by-step tutorial on how to create this look for yourself!  This idea would be a great item to decorate your house, porch, or classroom.  This idea, depending on the age you are a room mom for, could even work at your classroom party.  Also, think how fun it would be to give as a gift to a friend or teacher.  I love simple ideas!

Happy Halloween Pencil Gift Holder

Halloween Idea # 6 - Happy Halloween Pencil:

I am all about giving gifts in a create way.  Something about makes me almost more excited to give the wrapped object than the gift itself!  This idea from Craftberry Bush is just too stinkin' cute.  I am sharing this idea as a Halloween idea because of the fact that the label on the pencil reads "Happy Halloween", but truthfully that could be changed to read Happy Birthday, Welcome Back to School, Merry Christmas, A #2 Pencil for #1 Teacher, etc.  This pencil is made from an empty cardboard tube...wrapping paper to be more exact, but I am thinking that I would use a paper towel tube instead.  Fill the cardboard tube with candy or other gift items pinch the tip to a close...pencil tip.

Halloween Labels

Halloween Idea # 5 -
Want to add some spook to your Halloween party? Here are some FREE drink labels you can download from SilHOOettes. Buy some bright colored drinks/pop in glass bottles, add your label and you are all set!

If that doesn't work for you, try Martha Stewart's labels...for more than just drinks.

Glitter Spider Rings

Halloween Idea # 4 -

I am sure everyone has seen these plastic spider rings around Halloween time!?!

Well how fun would it be to create these bad boys?

That's right.  Some spiced up glitter spider rings from Bunny Cakes.  These would make great party favors, a craft activity, or simply an addition to a Halloween gift bag...tied on with some raffia.

* Bonus:  For a FREE 61 page download that is PERFECT for preschool aged kids, visit Oopsey Daisy and download the H is for Halloween packet.  The packet includes math, reading, art, games and much more.

Paper Mache Bowls

Halloween Idea #3:  Paper Mache Bowls -

Not only would I have lots of fun making these candy holding bowls, but I know that my own children would too!  The Long Thread shows how to make these adorable pumpkin and ghost bowls using paper bags, tissue paper and acrylic paint.  Simple and so stinkin' cute!

31 Days of Halloween Ideas...

Whether you are a mom, teacher, room mom or someone who likes hosting parties, I will be posting Halloween ideas all month, so check back often to find something that will fit what you are looking for!
To start the month of right, maybe you need some Halloween decor to get things going.  Since today is October 2, I am including TWO ideas.

Halloween Idea #1:  Halloween Wreath
A Halloween Tulle Wreath from Between U & Me.

OR this other super fun tulle wreath from Ali Lilly.  {Have I ever mentioned how much I love tulle?!?}

Even though this wreath idea was created because of a Candyland themed birthday party, this candy wreath from My Two Cupcakes would be perfect for Halloween!

Idea #2:  Frankenstein -

Make your own Frankenstein out of a strap of 2 x 4, paint, and a few extras.  Idea from Craft-O-Maniac.

Where's My Mummy?

Here's a fun Halloween book and writing/art activity to go along.  This idea comes from The First Grade Parade.  I love doing an activity to go along with a story and this will be perfect for my 1st graders this year!  The art is made by using a paper plate, a black strip of construction paper and 2 orange circles for the eyes.  Have the kids rip pieces of white paper to create the mummy effect.  The kids then write about what their "mummy" does for them when they get scared. 

Using the same story and idea, here is a variation of the paper plate mummy from Deanna Jump.

What fun Halloween ideas!  Thanks ladies for sharing these ideas.  I'm thinking how cute this would be for a bulletin board display!

Me? A Versatile Blogger?

First of all, if you are a teacher using the Treasures Reading program in your school, and have not yet checked out Just 4 Teachers, you are missing out!  Last year was my school's first year taking on Treasures, and if you have been there before, you know any new change can be a major adjustment.  This year I have been using Debi's poems and ideas to create my own poetry journal for my students and they LOVE it as much as I do!  So there you have it, my HUGE shout out and thanks a TON to Debi for making poetry so much fun.  Recently, she left a comment letting me know that she was awarding me this:

Here are the rules of the award:

*Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.
*Share 7 things about yourself.
*Pass this award along to 15 recently discovered blogs.

Well, here goes.... Seven Things About Me!
1.  I am married and have 4 wonderful children ranging in ages 4 - 12.
2.  Only 1 out of my 4 kids were planned!  LOL
3.  I spent 9 1/2  of my childhood years growing up in Saudi Arabia.
4.  I was originally thinking of pursuing a degree in International Business with a minor in Russian.  Boy, am I glad I went in the direction I chose instead!!  I love teaching!
5.  I love everything about FALL! The leaves changing colors, cooler weather, sweaters, football and holidays on their way!

6.  Everything is better with peanut butter!  I seriously add it to my icecream and on top of my pancakes.  Crazy for the stuff!
7.  I have been snorkeling in the Red Sea and floating in the Dead Sea...2 of the coolest places! 
If you think you still need to know more about me...click here.

I am not passing this award on to 15 recently discovered blogs, for the main fact that I still can't seem to leave comments on half the blogs out there that I read...so frustrating.  So even if I were to award 15 people, there would be no way of letting them know.  Darn!  If you are reading this though, consider yourself one of the ones I would have chosen. :)