How to Host a Halloween Party

October 3, 2011

From the sounds of crackling leaves, to the sight and taste of chocolate cupcakes decorated with frosting then covered in black jimmies to resemble bugs, Halloween is a holiday that is experienced by seeing, touching, smelling, hearing and tasting.

For Halloween party hosts, how carefully you consider the age of your guests will determine if your party is a smash hit or an epic fail. When hosting a party for young children, your mantra should be too cute to spook. Until children are will into their elementary years, they are still can have a hard time distinguishing between fantasy and reality, so playing it safe is always a sure bet.

When hosting a Halloween party for young children, here are some ideas to help create a successful party:

Stimulate their sense of sight by using simple, classic decorations. Opt for white ghosts with smiles on their faces, cartoon-ish spiders, candy corns and bright orange pumpkins rather than scary monsters and vampires.

Stimulate their sense of touch by providing a hands-on activity. Have children do a craft, like paint a pumpkin or decorate sugar cookies cut out in the shapes of pumpkins, cats and broomsticks.

Stimulate their sense of smell by burning an apple or harvest scented candle (out of the reach and sight of the children) or by dipping cotton balls is scented oils and placing them out of reach and sight of children. Filling your home with the scent of a baking apple pie can also do the trick.

Stimulate their sense of hearing by playing kid-friendly Halloween music. Choose sound tracks without words or kids favorites like Boo, Cackle, Trick or Treat by Sue Schnitzer or Dave Rudolf’s Halloween Spooktacular!

Stimulate their sense of taste by serving up Halloween themed treats. Cut sandwiches into the shape of pumpkins and cats using cookie cutters, serve with a slide of sliced apple wedges and don’t forget the chocolate.

Halloween doesn’t have to be scary to be fun. Stimulate your guests senses in an age appropriate way and your party is sure to be the hit of Halloween!

Do you plan on hosting a Halloween party for your children? Share your Halloween party planning tips below.

With her background as an International Nanny Association Credentialed Nanny specializing in caring for multiples, Michelle has been partnering with parents in raising their children since 1994.

With her extensive experience in newborn, infant and child care, and with her passion for setting herself apart from her peers by providing top-notch service, Michelle is regularly called on by the most popular parenting magazines and websites to share her knowledge and expertise. She has been featured on Parents.com, Parenting.com, and BabyTalk.com and regularly contributes to ModernMom.com, Momtastic.com, and other popular parenting websites.

Michelle has contributed to TWINS Magazine and wrote a chapter for the best-selling Experts' Guide to the Baby Years. Michelle has also authored four books of her own entitled, Nanny to the Rescue!, Nanny to the Rescue Again!, Working Mom's 411 and A Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists. She also co-authored Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association’s Official Guide to In-Home Child Care.

Michelle is an active member of the nanny and baby planner communities. In 2004, Michelle was honored as the International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year> and received accolades from President George Bush for her dedication to improving quality in-home child care. Michelle serves on the advisory board of the International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals and has served on the board of directors and as vice president of the International Nanny Association. She has also served as the executive director of the International Nanny Association and as a trainer for The Academy of Coaching Parents International.

Michelle currently serves as the editor in chief of Longhorn Leads, managing the content across their portfolio of care related sites including www.eNannySource.com, www.GoNannies.com, www.NannyPro.com, and www.4Nannies.com, in addition to serving as the executive director of Morningside Nannies, the company’s award-winning placement agency.

Michelle is a national speaker, bringing a message of hope and empowerment to moms groups across the nation. She and her husband Jeff, reside on Cape Cod with their daughter, Abigail, and their son, Luke.