Mini Monets and Mommies: Kids' Halloween Party Planning Ideas

So, you’re having a Halloween party for the kids? While I’m certain that there are plenty of parents out there who are super-organized and have parties planned from the second that they out them on their calendars – I’m not one of them. After all, there are only 24 hours in a day. Between carpools, homework, soccer practice, cooking, shopping (the necessary kind, not the good kind) and everything else that you do on a daily basis, if it’s a few weeks before Halloween and you’re yet to plan the night’s festivities – no one will fault you.

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I find it’s easiest to plan a kids’ arty by grouping what you need. Keep in mind, some of these may overlap. For example, you need food. But, you don’t have to serve ready-made treats. Instead you can have the kids decorate cupcakes or make s’mores as part of a party activity. A few of my favorites (that I’ve made) include these easy sweet treat options. Click on the pictures for the full list of instructions:

Candy Corn S’mores

Sure, a bowl of candy corn is fun. But, why not have the kids decorate their own flavored s’mores in yellow, orange and white? I used candy corn M&M’s as décor.

Monster Cupcakes

Ewwww! Bake up these creepy cupcakes with a special secret ingredient (its sour apple Kool-Aid) and let the kids press on candy monster eyes.

Monster S’mores

Much like the monster cupcakes – minus the sour taste.

CSI Cupcakes

These blood-soaked cupcakes are just regular chocolate cakes with white frosting. Let the kids drip ‘blood’ (red food coloring) on the frosting for a Halloween effect.

Glow-in-the-Dark Cupcakes

My son loved making these. You’ll need a black light, green gelatin and tonic water. Make the gelatin with the tonic and watch it glow under the black light. Have the party guests top frosted cupcakes (use white or a light-colored frosting) with gelatin to create ‘alien slime’ or ‘monster snot’.

While these party treats also double as activities, you can also add in a craft or two. Make these during the party or create them with your kids ahead of time to use as décor.

Glitter Spider Webs

Yes, you’ll get glitter all over your house. But, the kids will enjoy this one. As a bonus – you only need three materials.

Sea Shell Halloween Critters

Paint, draw on and cover clam shells to make cute, no-so-creepy pumpkins, mummies and spiders.

Paper Mache Pumpkins

This sculpture activity is a bit extensive for party-time. That said, it does make a creative decoration for a buffet table. Have your child create it a few days beforehand, giving the pumpkin time to dry.

Halloween Wreath

Another pre-party décor option. Reuse a pizza box and turn it into a frightful decoration for the front door.

Brain Dough

This simple homemade play dough recipe is scented and colored with raspberries. Mix up a batch before the party starts, put it in a bowl and let the kids mush up the icky ‘brain dough’.

Glow-in-the-Dark Paint

If you already have the black light out for the glowing cupcakes, try this activity as well. Mix glowing paint with shaving cream or use it on its own to make cute, but kind of creepy, creations!