Bring some excitement to All Hallows Eve

I love Halloween. I remember dressing up and spending the evening walking through the neighborhood, in character, scaring ourselves. We would huddle at the corners, checking with the other kids to find out:

• Who had the popcorn balls?
• Where are the brownies?
• What house for homemade cookies?

There was a world of goodies to be had and a short time in which to do it. Later, at home, you would pour out your "loot" and compare, share and trade with your siblings. If there was time, you might go out again to hit certain houses for more goodies.

Today, Halloween is very different. Parents are worried about letting the children go up to homes in the neighborhood. Parents in cars and trucks, fouling the air with fumes, follow the little ones. The treats are scanned by x-rays, examined by parents and discarded if not wrapped in an individual wrappers.

With obesity and diabetes increasing in our youth, it is our moral obligation to provide healthy snacks or alternatives to candy. Otherwise, you should just turn off the lights and pretend you are not home. That is no fun.

What can you give children that come to the door on Halloween? Box of raisins, pack of sugar free gum, sheet of stickers, balloon, small toy, bead bracelet, gift certificate, book, comic book, trading card, Go Fish card game, Old Maid card game, box of animal crackers, pencil sharpener, spooky eraser, prayer card, little bottle of bubbles, folding brush, pocket comb, glittery headband, friendship bracelet, sun catcher, pack of graham crackers, decorated wooded clothespin, small handmade finger puppets bookmark, mini coloring book, box of crayons, dream catcher, plastic farmyard animals, kite, magnetic picture frame, hair clip, leather necklace, yoyo, boxed puzzle, matchbox car, mood ring, small stuffed animal, juice box, change purse with change, day glow stars and moon set, bells on ribbon, police badge, keychain, mirror compact, camouflage face paint, sand painting, light sticks, light stick bracelets, flavored chap stick . . .


If you want to provide an interactive experience for your trick-or-treaters, here is one idea.

• Separate the treats by age and gender into baskets or boxes.
• Find an old fishing rod with fishing line.
• Take the hook off the line and attach a clip.

• On Halloween evening set up a dark sheet or curtain over rope or wire in front yard.
  
  
• One adult stands behind the curtain with treat baskets in front of them on a table.
  
  
• Another adult or older teen in costume will bring the trick-or-treaters to the curtain, one at a time.
• The person escorting the child will announce whether it is a boy or girl and their approximate age.
• This person will also help the child to cast the fishing line or over the curtain.
  
  
• The person behind the curtain will pick out an appropriate treat and attach it to the clip.
• Then they can cackle: "Okay, dearie, you lucked out today and got the treat! Reel it in."

This is a great game that makes receiving a small toy or puzzle so much fun. You will have kids standing in line, but you will be having more fun than anyone!

Tags: halloween, trick-or-treat, halloween fun, family fun, fishing for treats