With Halloween a few days away, there's still time to throw your kids a fun Halloween party -- on a budget.
Throwing a party, with all its trappings and adornments, can be expensive – but it doesn’t have to be.
Here are some tips on how to get your children into the Halloween spirit with a spooky soirée without breaking the bank.
Keep decorations simple and fun with garland
Looking to spruce up your usual Halloween decorations? Using twine or string in place of putty or tape can be a great twist, allowing you to hang up a line of decorations with ease. Kids can have fun helping you tie together pieces of the garland. They’ll even practice their fine motor skills in the process.
Twigs, small pumpkins and fake leaves are fantastic touches to give your house a creepy forest vibe, and they can easily be purchased at 99-cent stores or your local craft store.
Get Tri-state area news delivered to your inbox. Sign up for NBC New York's News Headlines newsletter.
Best of all, the decorations can be reused for Thanksgiving next month!
Liven up the party with classic games
A sugary twist on the classic "bobbing for apples" activity, you can use the string you got for your decorations to dangle mini doughnuts from the ceiling or a tree. Children can then race each other to see who can pull their doughnut off the line first without using their arms. It’ll be a game that everyone wins.
Alternatively, you can stick with the original apple bobbing game. Just fill a large bucket or tub with water and add several apples. The first one to grab an apple with their teeth is the winner! You can even use mini apples for younger children, but make sure the fruits aren’t small enough for them to choke on.
Try healthy alternatives to Halloween snacks
Since kids will receive their fill of candy in a few days, consider giving your children something a bit healthier. Halloween-themed granola bars are widely available (and many are nut-free for those with allergies!).
For older kids, be creative with a charcuterie board arrangement. For example, make a cheddar coffin or add gummy worms to add to the Halloween atmosphere.
