Bulletin Board Idea- Submitted by Barb

Place pumpkin cutouts on the bulletin board to represent each child and than add a photo of him/her on it. Above the pumpkins in bubble letters write out or cut out with contruction paper; "Our Pumpkin Patch".

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Halloween Riddles- Submitted by Christi

Q. Why don't witches like to ride their brooms when they're angry?
A. They're afraid of flying off the handle!

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Q. Who won the skeleton beauty contest?
A. No body

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Q. What do skeletons say before they begin dining?
A. Bone appetite!

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Q. Where do baby ghosts go during the day?
A. Dayscare centers

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Q. Who did Frankenstein take to the prom?
A. His ghoul friend.

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Q. What monster flies his kite in a rain storm?
A. Benjamin Frankenstein

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Q. What do ghosts serve for dessert?
A. Ice Scream

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Q. What do you get when you cross Bambi with a ghost?
A. Bamboo

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Q. How can you tell when you're in bed with Count Dracula?
A. He has a big D on his pajamas

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Q. What's pink and gray and wrinkly and old and belongs to Grandpa monster?
A. Grandma monster

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Q. Why did the monster eat a light bulb?
A. Because he was in need of a light snack

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Q. Why are most monsters covered in wrinkles?
A. Have you ever tried to iron a monster?

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Q. What kind of mistakes do spooks make?
A. Boo boos

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Q. Why couldn't Dracula's wife get to sleep?
A. Because of his coffin

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Q. Why do mummies make excellent spies?
A. They're good at keeping things under wraps

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Q. What kind of cereal do monsters eat?
A. Ghost-Toasties

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Q. What kind of monster is safe to put in the washing machine?
A. A wash and wear wolf

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Q. What's the first thing ghosts do when they get into a car?
A. They boo-kle their seatbelts

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Q. What has webbed feet, feathers, fangs and goes quack-quack?
A. Count Duckula

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Q. Why are monsters huge and hairy and ugly?
A. Because if they were small and round and smooth they'd be M&M's

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Q. Why wasn't there any food left after the monster party?
A. Because everyone was a goblin!

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Q. How did the ghost patch his sheet?
A. With a pumpkin patch.

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Q. What do witches use on their hair?
A. Scare spray

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Q. What is as sharp as a vampires fang?
A. His other fang.

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Q: What do the birds sing on Halloween?
A: Twick or Tweet

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Q: What did the little ghost have in his rock collection?
A: Tombstones

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Q: Why should a skeleton drink 10 glasses of milk a day?
A: It's good for the bones

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Q: What do baby ghosts wear on Halloween?
A: White Pillowcases

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Q: What do you get when you drop a pumpkin?
A: Squash

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Q: Why did the witches' team lose the baseball game?
A: Their bats flew away

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Q: What was the witches favorite subject in school?
A: Spelling

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Q: Why did the mummy call the doctor?
A: Because he was coffin

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Q: What does a vampire fear most?
A: Tooth decay

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Q: Where did the vampire open his savings account?
A: At a blood bank

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Q: What did the mad scientist eat on Halloween?
A: Frankenfurters with Ketchup

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Q. What do goblins and ghosts drink when they're hot and thirsty on Halloween?
A. Ghoul-aid!!!

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Q. What is a Mummie's favorite type of music?
A. Wrap!!!!!

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Q. What's a monster's favorite bean?
A. A human bean.

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Q. What do you call a witch who lives at the beach?
A. A sand-witch.

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Q. Where does a ghost go on Saturday night?
A. Anywhere where he can boo-gie.

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Q. What do ghosts say when something is really neat?
A. Ghoul

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Q. Why did the game warden arrest the ghost?
A. He didn't have a haunting license.

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Q. Why didn't the skeleton dance at the party?
A. He had no body to dance with.

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Q. Where does Count Dracula usually eat his lunch?
A. At the casketeria.

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Q. What happens when a ghost gets lost in the fog?
A. He is mist.

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Q. Where did the goblin throw the football?
A. Over the ghoul line.

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Q. Why is a ghost such a messy eater?
A. Because he is always a goblin.

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Q. What do you call a goblin who gets too close to a bonfire?
A. A toasty ghosty.

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Q. What tops off a ghost's ice cream sundae?
A. Whipped scream.

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Q. What is a vampires favorite holiday?
A. Fangsgiving

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Q. What kind of makeup do ghosts wear?
A. mas-scare-a.

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Q. Who was the most famous ghost detective?
A. Sherlock Moans.

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Q. Who was the most famous witch detective?
A. Warlock Holmes

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Halloween Party Ideas- Submitted by Christi
Halloween can be one of the funest holidays to celebrate with young children in daycare. Careful planning is the key to a successful party. Here are some basic tips.

Set the Stage:
Your best source of decorations is artwork and projects that the children have made. There are many places on- line to find clipart and patterns for your inspiration. Here are two galleries to get you inspired.

Trick-or-Treating in a Daycare Program:
If you are going to ask parents to bring in treats you may wish to provide them with a list of more nutritional/fun alternatives to candy. Popular items include; stickers, finger puppets, raisin boxes or noisemakers. Be sure to limit smaller objects for children under age three. If you are going to have a costume party, it is best to ask parents to bring in the costumes to be changed into later. This helps to avoid costumes becoming soiled, losing accessories or children being uncomfortable in a cumbersome costume for the remainder of the day. It is also wise to discourage masks. Not only for safety reasons, but also many younger children may be frightened. You may even wish to show younger children mask photos and make masks to remove some of the mystery and fear associated with the masks.

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Halloween Party Ideas- Submitted by Christi

Face painting
Take photos of each child to give as a gift.
Bobbing for apples
Have a "parade" around the block.
Rake up a big pile of leaves and hide goodie bags in it.

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Pumpkin Fun- Submitted by Christi

Jack-O- lantern carving, is a fun and traditional party activity. The children can help plan the face maybe by drawing and designing prototypes, while the teacher can do the actual carving. Everyone can participate in the fun of removing the ooey gooey pulp, a great sensory activity. For safety purposes, you may wish to light up your new friend with a flashlight instead of a candle.

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Let the Children Be- Submitted by Christi
By Judith A. Lindberg

'Twas Halloween night and all through the sky,
The clouds hid the moon as the bats glided by.
I was dressed all in white in my mama's old sheet,
Walking with friends down the ghost-haunted street.

All the kids were dressed in bright costumed array,
While flashlights and street lights guided our way.
We giggled and laughed as we hurried to each door,
Ringing or knocking, then laughing some more.

There were pumpkins aglow and skeletons dangling,
Scarecrows and shadows and silver chains clanging.
Grownups in masked faces opened doors in greeting,
As we stood with our bags and waited for treating.

Some people say that we should not have this night,
That too many kids are harmed by the sights or the fright
But it's the one time a year when we can pretend to be
Someone else for a while, not you - not even me.

Let them celebrate now, as the bats glide on by,
For childhood is brief, like the blink of an eye.
Listen to their laughter and let the children be
Someone else for a while, not you and not me.

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Who Will Trick or Treat With Me?- Submitted by Christi
Author Unknown

The first year she was a pumpkin
and she donned a bright orange smock.
Her daddy took her trick-or-treating,
though she had not learned to walk.

The next year she was a bunny
and on one leg, she would hop
while her left ear stood up straight
and the right would swing and flop.

Then a bride costume from Grandpa;
a long skirt and lacy blouse,
but she tripped over the train...
so daddy carried her to each house.

The fourth year brought us Lion King
and she roared both day and night.
She was either "Simba" or was "Nala."
(I never could get that right!)

The next Halloween as she got dressed,
she just kept on asking why - -
if she was indeed "Supergirl,"
why then…could she not fly?

Her sixth year, she was all in pink
protecting us all from danger,
as she kicked and "karate-chopped" the air
as "Kimberly…the Power Ranger."

When she was seven, she wore a yellow gown.
She was "Beauty," to say the least,
insisting that her little sister,
by default…was the "Beast."

In my heart I knew the time would come…
and this year our walk together ends.
She said, "it’s not cool for mom to go…
I want to walk with all my friends."

So, I’m figuring out what I will say;
rehearsing one excuse after another,
in case she notices the "ghost" behind her
walks a little bit like her mother!

And I still have Halloweens to come;
my other daughter’s only three.
What worries me is...when she grows up,
who will trick or treat with me?

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Getting Organized for Halloween: 10 Spooktacular Tips- Submitted by Sherry
by Maria Gracia

Ghosts, witches, goblins and black cats . . . yes, it's Halloween once again. Here are 10 tips to ensure this holiday is a fun one for you and your family.

Make A List:
Make a checklist of everything you'd like to do for Halloween--such as making/getting costumes, having a party, attending a festival, carving a pumpkin, getting some scary books or videos at the library and taking the kids trick-or-treating, safety precautions, and baking pumpkin pies.

Decorate For The Season:
It's time to pull out your tried-and-true Halloween decorations from year's past. If they're not in one organized place this year, be sure you put them all in one organized place for next year when you're done with them.

Find The Festivities:
Using the Web and your local newspapers, find out what Halloween festivities are happening in your area. Schedule some outings for your family and enjoy the season. Apple picking, pumpkin picking and hay rides are popular this time of the year.

Search Your TV Listings:
Search through your TV listings and make a schedule of all Halloween programs and cartoons you wish to watch. If the family can't be together when a particular program is airing, video tape it and watch it together later on.

Buy Treats Ahead Of Time:
Pick up Halloween treats at the supermarket now, so you're ready for trick-or-treaters.

Organize Treats Into Treat Bags:
Spend time before Halloween, placing an assortment of treats into each treat bag (or plastic baggie.) Every trick-or-treater will then get an equal amount of treats.

Organize A Halloween Party:
If you plan to have a Halloween party at your house, plan for the party ahead of time. Make a list of everything you plan to do, and everyone you wish to invite. Be sure to get the invitations out early. Begin preparing meals and baking before October 31st.

Get Ready For The Parties You're Attending:
If you already have plans to go to a Halloween party elsewhere, determine what you'll need to bring to the party. Will you need to bring food? Find out what dish you'll be bringing, and determine if it can be prepared ahead of time. Need a costume? Begin making one now, or be sure to hit the costume shops early, while you still have time.

Send Out Halloween Greetings:
Halloween is a great time of year to keep in touch with family and friends. Send Halloween greetings in the mail, or save money and send e-mail greetings.

Enjoy The Season:
Go outdoors and enjoy the fall foliage. Take a walk in the brisk air. Enjoy your neighbors' Halloween decorations around town. Take some photos for your memory book. After all, this holiday doesn't linger after October 31st--you'll be heading right into the holiday season!

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Nail Polish Pumpkins- Submitted by Sherry

I buy orange nail polish, and paint each child's thumb. After it has dried, I use permanant maker (fine point sharpee) to draw on a jack-o-lantern face. The kids love this, I have been doing it for years.

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Spooky Music- Submitted by Sherry

For Halloween activities, play spooky music while the kids are working. This creates a fun and interesting learning environment!

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ABC's of Safe Trick-or-Treating- Submitted by Christi
From http://family.go.com/

It is for today's new circumstances that the following guidelines have been written. Please take time to consider them and add your own. Let's insure that our children too, will have fond memories of this magical night.

*Avoid:
Dimly lit homes that are clearly not in the Halloween spirit.
Any and all parked vehicles.
Apartment buildings without an accompanying adult.
Crossing driveways where cars may be entering or leaving.

*Be Sure To:
Walk on the left side of the street facing traffic.
Supply flashlights and remember to check batteries.

*Before Witching Hour:
Carefully go over the neighborhood route you and your little spook will be taking.
Preferably set a time limit and make a plan in case of separation.
Clearly outline where you be waiting at all times. For example, will you accompany the child to the door, or wait on the sidewalk in front of each home.
With older children, get names of companions and return time expected. Give phone change or loan a cell phone in case of late arrival.

*Review all safety precautions.

Costumes:

Costumes should be designed or bought with safety as well as effect in mind.

Children should be able to walk easily without entangling their feet.

Fabric should be flame-retardant and lightweight.

It is important your ghoul's get-up fits properly but is also large enough to accommodate warm clothing if necessary.

Children should always be visible at night, retro-reflective tape is invaluable for this purpose and can be purchased at hardware and sporting-goods stores.

A well-placed design can both identify your youngster and make him visible to motorists. Comfortable well-fitted shoes are a must. Mom's pumps may look cute but could result in a nasty spill, bringing a fun evening to a tearfulclose.

Masks should be carefully checked to insure the child's vision is not obscured.

The eye, nose and mouth openings should be adequately large. Children should be encouraged to wear masks on top of the head between destinations, this will make it easier to navigate curbs, walkways and landscaping pitfalls.

Whiskers and wigs should be securely fastened and designed not to fall into the child's face.

Halloween makeup can be fun for both parent and child and provides a great alternative to facial masks. Check labels to insure all makeup is non-toxic and meets federal standards. Carefully follow directions for application and removal. Adult supervision is necessary.

Candy:

Be sure your treats aren't tricks in disguise, candy should never be eaten prior to a thorough home inspection. To insure this, give children a filling meal or at least a nutritious snack prior to leaving.

Check all wrappings to insure they are intact. Fruit and homemade treats are best avoided. A common-sense approach dictates that any item that sparks concern should be discarded.

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Click on the Pumpkin Bear Below to go back to the PnF Halloween Theme and Curriculum Page