Cheap Halloween Party Ideas
How to Find Halloween Costumes, Games and Food Ideas on a Budget
Sep 13, 2009
Kids and adults alike have a great time on Halloween. Whilst some families may simply go trick or treating, others will push the boat out and throw a themed Halloween party as well. This is especially popular with kids. So, what can parents do to create the perfect Halloween atmosphere without having to break the bank?
Start With the Decorations
Any Halloween party will go with more of a swing with decorations to set the mood. These don't have to be complicated or expensive. Parents can easily get kids to create spooky paper chains and pictures to decorate the walls and, of course, there should be at least one carved pumpkin on hand around the house with its trademark spooky grin! There are plenty of Halloween crafts sites that can be useful.
Those who are short of time or who really want to make an impact can, of course, buy decorations ready made. Online party shops are an invaluable source here when buying on a budget. Many people find that their local shops either don't have enough choice or sell out of themed decorations as soon as they hit the shelves, so buying online could also take some of the angst away.
Make Sure to Dress Up
No trick or treating expedition or Halloween party is complete without getting the kids (and even the adults!) dressed up. Parents may want to make their own costumes if they have the time but, once again, it is relatively cheap and easy to buy them online if they prefer.
But, bear in mind that a simple single bed sheet can work wonders here. Leave it white and you can turn a child into a cute ghost. Dye it black and alter it a little and you have the makings of a witch's cape. Don't forget the face paints/make-up either. They can create some really ghoulish effects!
Play a Few Party Games to Get the Party Going
No kids party is really complete without some party games. Popular low cost choices here include:
- Bobbing for Apples: Fill a suitable container with water, drop some apples in it and then get the kids to take turns trying to get an apple out using only their mouths.
- Ghost Stories: Sit all the kids in a circle, turn out the lights and take out a torch. The first person to tell a story should shine the torch up at their face to look spooky. Everyone can have a turn or they can pass the torch round after a sentence and make a round robin story.
- Pin the Broomstick on the Witch (or the Bone on the Skeleton or the Scar on the Monster): This is a variation of Pin the Tail on the Donkey but here the picture will be Halloween related.
- Pass the Cauldron/Pumpkin: This is a variation of Pass the Parcel where the gifts are placed in a small trick or treat cauldron or pumpkin.
- Pumpkin Carving: Older kids (and younger ones with some adult help and supervision) enjoy carving their own pumpkins. They could then take out with them when they trick or treat or could be used as the basis of a "Scariest Pumpkin" competition.
- Halloween craft games and ideas may also be worth looking at as alternatives, especially if parents are worried about kids getting over excited or have younger kids that they don't want to get too scared!
Make Gruesome Halloween Recipes
Kids will really remember a Halloween party if they eat themed food, the more gruesome the better in some cases! Parents that are stuck for ideas can get plenty of inspiration online. There are many different free recipe sites that could help them put together something that truly looks disgusting but that tastes good. This could also save some money on buying ready made party food. Popular options include:
- Brains and blood: Cook up some plain spaghetti and chop it into smaller pieces. Shape it gently into little clumps and add a tomato sauce on the top.
- Jelly blood: Make up a strawberry jelly and before it sets put in some spooky Halloween sweets or some jelly worms.
- Monster cakes: Adding food colouring to a batch of cup cakes or fairy cakes can turn them into something special. Kids could then use icing paints to draw scary faces on top. Putting jam in the middle of the cake gives them instant oozing blood!
Throwing a memorable and fun Halloween party doesn't have to cost the earth. Taking a DIY approach may well save parents a lot of money compared to buying the stuff they need ready made. They can also add to the atmosphere and anticipation by getting their kids involved in the planning, cooking and decoration.
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