Halloween is right around the corner and throwing a party for the kids is an absolute must. Nothing beats throwing a festive party when you are a mom. There is something so fun about putting the kids in costumes, decorating with pumpkins, enjoying Halloween treats and listening to Spooky themed music. And there is no need to get spooked by all the candy. After scouring Pinterest for some healthy options, I figured out some creative ways to keep the sweets at bey, all while keeping the Halloween spirit in mind.
But first, be sure to embrace your BOO-tiful MOM-bie self! This will be year three where I am dressing as myself, a MOM-bie! It's such a great representation of how exhausted we all are!
Curb The Candy Craze
For Halloween this year it's all about creating a much healthier option that the kids will be excited about. One trick I learned is have your kids help and get them excited about decorating food to look like ghosts and goblins. It's all about healthy options with a spooky twist.
FRANKEN-GUAC
Ingredients: Pre-made guac or if you dare make it yourself. Sour cream, olives, re-fried beans, black tortilla chips.
Preparation: Spread the guac in a large (on the square side) plate and add the chips designing as hair as you go! Use dopplers of sour cream as eyes and olives as the insert. Use refried beans in a dessert squeezer to make the mouth! Super easy!
Mom Tip: Have the kids make it. It certainly is so much better when the kids are involved.
Popcorn In Jack-o-lantern cups
Super easy: Just have the kids fill pre-made cups and place around the table. And if you cant find them pre-made have them draw them. My daughter particularly enjoys doing that!
Mummy Celery Sticks
Ingredients: Celery, cream cheese, favorite deli meat (preferably ham) and cranberries for the eyes
Prep: Cut the celery into two sticks, spread the cream cheese and slice the ham on the angle so it will criss cross easy. Add the cranberry for eyes.
PB & J Spider Sandwiches
Hands down my favorite! Ingredients: Pre-Made PB & J sandwiches (the round ones,) pretzel sticks chocolate chips
Prep: Follow photo below!
Orange Fruit Cups
Cut out a few oranges to fill with various fruits. I chose blueberrys, raspberries and blackberries. You can also take a pumpkin carving kit and cut the oranges to have jack-o-lantern faces! Franken Grapes
Honestly, I have never seen my kids so excited to eat grapes. I just recycled containers and created Franken Grape Cups. It's all about purchasing googly eyes for the Halloween season, and be sure to get a variety of sizes.
Mummy Apple Sauce
If you dress up these healthy choices, like fruit cups, apple sauce and cheeses in a fun festive way, the kids gravitate towards them more. Just get some streamer and start wrapping! Works like a charm. Stuffed Jack-O-Lantern Peppers
This one is super easy and all you need is a pumpkin carving kit to cut out the faces. We stuffed our with meat sauce, but you can do anything like your favorite dish. My husband preferred hummus and guacamole. Ghost Cheese Sticks
The kids love making ghosts out of the cheese sticks. All you need is your favorite cheese and a black sharpie and put them to work!
Cheese Cut Outs
For those that like cheese and crackers be sure to buy a small pumpkin and ghost cut out. Makes such the festive look! Mummy Dogs
I love this one because you can wrap zucchini as an alternative. Just buy your favorite pop-open dough and start wrapping! Bake accordingly
Monster Apples
This one looks a lot harder than what it is. Just cut the mouth on the apple and place edible eyes with peanut butter. I prefer three. And use sunflower seeds or sliced almonds as the teeth. We used dried fruit for the tongue. Definitely paint in lemon juice to avoid turning brown. Monster Fruit Cups
If you can find green jello cups, grab them. We found red jello fruit cups and all you do is turn them upside down. Head to your local craft store and grab a glue gun and black pom poms and black feathers. Add some googly eyes and a mouth and you are done.
Of course we allowed for dessert and in this case we found the best kid at our school who just loves to bake. We were so happy she made a spooky witch cake and cupcakes. It's ok to allow for sweets, but don't make it the main focus of the party. My kids had just as much fun and didn't even realize there were only two desserts. Adult Drinks
I highly recommend when serving your mama friends you opt for something green and something red. We chose Sangria and Green Vodka Cocktai l. The trick is all about the presentation and dry ice is certainly winning this Halloween. Hope you have the best Halloween party and if you use any of these ideas, please let me know if they were a success! May your party be spooky, fun and just a little bit healthier this year!
Happy Healthy Halloween! Be sure to subscribe to my blog at citygirlgonemom.com
Related video:
This post comes from the TODAY Parenting Team community, where all members are welcome to post and discuss parenting solutions. Learn more and join us! Because we're all in this together.