Not So Scary Halloween Ideas for Kids

I'm convinced that part of the reason why people have kids is so they can dress them up in adorable Halloween costumes. There is nothing cuter than a little dinosaur, pumpkin or princess running around covered in chocolate!

Having a Kids' Halloween Party is a great way to get use out of that adorable costume and show off your cutie to all of your friends! The kids will love all the yummy candy, snacks, decorations and games. This Halloween party is all about fun - nothing scary here - and works for kids of all ages. Don't forget your camera!

Kids Halloween Party Invitations
Start with a great personalized Halloween invitation! A pumpkin or candy corn invitation is perfect for a kids Halloween theme. You'll want to let the parents know that the kids should dress up, of course. If the kids are little and the parents are staying at the party, you should let them know they don't need to dress up! (They'll appreciate that.) Try this for wording:

No Tricks. Just Treats.
Come get something good to eat!

Sam’s Halloween Bash
Sunday, October 29 - 11:00am for lunch and sweets

Be our "Ghost" - BOO by October 20
(555)555-1222

Please bring your parents too
(They don’t need to get dressed up)

Get the kids involved: If your "host" for this party is an older child, then let them work on the invitations! Print out all the details on orange paper and let them decorate with markers, stickers and glitter. Have theme pick out a fun surprise for the envelope like vampire teeth, spider rings, or Halloween confetti!

Kids Halloween Party Decorations and Party Supplies

Look for the cutest Halloween decorations you can find, and you're all set! Remember - no tricks, just treats!

For your party entrance...

Put out a few cute jack o'lanterns or decorated pumpkins along the entry to the party.
Hang a sweet candy corn theme banner in the doorway with a special message from your little host!
A pumpkin cutout of the little host welcoming your guests inside would make an extra special addition to your party.

Here are some other great, inexpensive and fun decorations that will work well in your party space...

Pumpkins - of course! You can find them everywhere this time of year. Plus, getting pumpkins is a great family outing.
Place orange and black balloon bouquets all over your party space. The kids will take them home, so there won't be any clean up needed!
Stretchy spider webs on your mantle, bannister, and light fixtures are a cheap and fun Halloween decoration.

Get the kids involved: Ask the kids to help with your decorations! There are great Halloween crafts available that you can find at a local craft store. Or, pull out some black and orange construction paper and let them cut out pumpkins or draw signs to hang.

Halloween Kids Party Table Decorations and Party Menu
Choose a fun theme with your paper goods - pumpkin plates and orange/black napkins and cups are classic way to go! Match your paper goods with other orange and black table decorations:

Choose a fun centerpiece for your tables. A great option is to use real pumpkins on your tables. Get an assortment of sizes and set them in the center of the table.
Turn your centerpiece into an activity! Kids can decorate the pumpkins and then take them home as favors. Leave out bowls with stickers, foam shapes, and markers so they can get creative!
Scatter a bit of candy corn around to match your invitations and for the kids to snack on at the party.

Need ideas for kids Halloween party food? Think fun and easy with your menu! Start with...

Pizza and chicken fingers are easy and very kid friendly. Have juice boxes available and water and soda for the adults.
You'll have a great time with dessert. You can certainly go to any grocery store and find Halloween themed desserts - candy corn cookies anyone?
Decorate Halloween cupcakes! This dessert doubles as a fun activity. Have an assortment of cookies, brownies and candy for the kids to choose from. This holiday was made for sweets, so go all out!

Get the kids involved: Kids love to bake. So, let them help make some yummy desserts for the party. Too much? Let them help decorate cookies or cupcakes for the party. Get candy corn, M&Ms, frosting and sprinkles and let them decorate. Even toddlers can put M&Ms on cupcakes! Be sure to get extra - you're bound to "lose" a few to your child's stomach...and yours too!

Kids Halloween Party Activities
You'll want to have a few Halloween party activities planned to keep kids occupied. Start with a few of these...

How about a Halloween pinata? Be sure to fill it with plenty of wrapped candy and small toys.
Or try a Halloween hunt around the house or party - like an Easter Egg hunt, but for candy. Start with Halloween pumpkin candy buckets for all of the kids and scatter candy around the party. The kids will have a blast.
Buy an assortment of foam pumpkins from a local craft store or get real pumpkins (make sure to get the mini ones) from a local grocery store or pumpkin patch. Put out stickers, pens, pom poms, glitter, glue, etc and let the kids decorate their own pumpkin. This is another place to have some wipes on hand to keep everyone clean. Let the kids get creative!
Set up a photobooth with kids halloween photo booth props! Parents will love taking photos of their little one dressed up in their costume. Don't forget to get everyone in a group shot before everyone heads home.
Every Halloween party should have a costume contest! Make it kid friendly by letting each child tell the group about their costume. If you award prizes, make sure everyone gets a little something.

We also have a plenty of Halloween party games for you to choose from for your Halloween party!

Halloween Party Favors
Start with one of our favorites - a personalized candy bar wrapper! Everybody likes candy on Halloween! Or try one of these favor ideas:

Have the kids go trick or treating for their favors. Set out small favors in baskets and bowls around the party. Give each child an empty candy corn theme party favor bag that matches your invitations.
Or fill these halloween sweet candy corn mint tins with your favorite - candy corn, of course!
Kids will jump for joy when they open one of these sweet candy corn lollipops on the ride home. Add a special message from the little host!

Have a great Halloween. We know your kid will be the cutest one at your party, but you should still pretend the other kids look great, too!