Every year in October we like to entertain our preschoolers with halloween activities for kids. Schools celebrate this festive time of year by having children dress up as storybook characters and doing fun activities like making decorations for either the school or for at home.
The holiday known today as Halloween is celebrated on October 31st. It is a combination of old Pagan customs and the Christian “All Saints’ Day” that is celebrated on November 1st.
There are many symbols associated with Halloween like the Jack-o’-Lantern, black cats and spirits. The custom of decorating with leaves, pumpkins and cornstalks came from an ancient order of priests called Druids from Britain and Gaul.
Nowadays Halloween is celebrated by both adults and children. Some families have costume parties and play games like bobbing for apples (which isn’t as easy as it sounds) and telling scary stories. Children often go “trick or treating”. That is knocking on doors of known and trusted neighbors to collect candy. Some communities have a “community” party instead.
First Halloween project: Balloon Ghost
To make this cute little guy you will need a white balloon and two white plastic grocery bags.
Needed supplies:
a balloon that is white
a pair of scissors
a couple of white plastic store bags
tape
black marker
Directions:
First remove the handles from the store bags, If there are markings on the bags, those need to be cut off too.
Then leave the bottom seam of the bag intact, cut he bag into strips.
Then you can blow up the balloon.
With the tape, tape the bag around the end of the balloon. If the ghost is to be hung up as an decoration then tape the bag around the end that is plain. That way you can attach a string to the tied end of the balloon.
After all that is done use the black marker to draw the eyes and mouth on the balloon.
Second Halloween project: Papier Mache Jack-o-lantern
Needed supplies:
A balloon that is round
newspaper
water and white flour
pan and something to stir with
a pair of scissors
either orange water-based paint or tissue paper that is orange
paint brush and a black marker
To make the glue:
Stir together 1/2 c. of flour with 1/2 c. of water until the mixture is runny and thin.
Add an additional 2 c. of hot water
Simmer for approximately 3 minutes, then allow to cool.
Then tear up a lot of newspaper into about 1 in. strips.
Blow up and tie a balloon.
Put the balloon in a bowl so it stays put.
Then the messy part comes next.
Dip the strips of newspaper into the flour glue, one at a time, wiping off excess, and wraping it around the balloon. Cover the whole top of the balloon.
Let it dry over night then do another layer. You should have a minimum of three layers. Allowing each layer to dry before the next one is put on.
After the layers are on allow it to completely dry, this may take several days. Then pop the balloon and separate it from the papier-mache skin. Dispose of the balloon.
To make the jack-0-lantern sit, place a cloth or sponge that is slightly damp under the part that is going to the bottom, until it is slightly soft. Then push gently the bottom to make an indentation.
Then either paint it or add another layer of papier-mache using orange tissue paper.
Hope you enjoyed these suggested halloween activities for kids. If you want to share your own great ideas please leave a comment!