How to have a safe and spooky Halloween.
Ghouls, ghosts and goblins – it can only mean one thing. Halloween is here!
The time for all things spooky and scary. It goes without saying; kids love Halloween. It’s a great excuse to dress up, enjoy party games with friends, and of course, eat plenty of sweet treats. We’ve compiled a run-down of tips and tricks to ensure you and your little ones have fun, while staying safe, this Halloween.
Spooky Snacks
No Halloween get together is complete without a few tasty treats to get the party started. While supermarket shelves are bursting with plenty of seasonal delights, making your own treats can be a fun way to get your kids excited for Halloween. Pumpkin carving can sometimes be a little tricky, especially with younger kids.
Why not help them make their own miniature pumpkin? All you need is a juicy satsuma, and a black marker pen to draw a suitably spooky design on the peel. A delicious, fun and healthy treat in one!
To satisfy that sweet tooth, meringue ghosts are probably the simplest and most effective Halloween treat. Simply follow a traditional meringue recipe (all you need is egg whites and caster sugar), pipe onto a baking sheet in tall ghost-like shapes, and add chocolate chips for the eyes. The old classic, jelly and ice cream, is a kid’s party staple. Add a terrifying twist with gummy snakes and creepy crawlies; simply add to your jelly mix before it has set. A quick and easy way to revamp a traditional recipe.
Trick-or-Treating
Trick-or-treating is a tradition much loved by kids and parents across the globe. But it’s no surprise that lots of parents can be nervous about their little ones venturing out on their own at night. To ensure that you and your family have a worry-free Halloween, follow our top tips;
Use glow sticks or reflective stickers so your child is easily visible to passing traffic. There are plenty of Halloween appropriate lights that your little one can incorporate into their costume.
Make sure your child is trick-or-treating in a group with friends. If there are particularly young children in your group, we recommend a parent or guardian accompanies them on their adventure. (It’s also a great excuse for grown-ups to dress up too!)
Choose a costume that fits your child. If it’s too big or drags along the floor, they could easily trip up. This goes for undone laces and uncomfortable shoes too.
Plan a route in advance. Make sure children only walk on pavements and stay with their group at all times.
Popular trick-or-treating times are between 5.30pm and 9.30pm. Drivers should be cautious to look out for children crossing roads and coming out of driveways during these times.
Exciting Events
If you don’t fancy planning a party of your own, we’ve put together a guide to some exciting Halloween events taking place in the capital.
Boo at the Zoo, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo Whipsnade Zoo is transformed into a terrifying spectacular in time for Halloween. Expect pumpkin carving in the Bat Cave, a ghost hunt aboard the Steam Train and a dedicated Ghoul School, where little ones can wrap up their own mummy. Running until October 31st. Free with admission to the Zoo.
Halloween Pumpkin Carving Competition, Fortnum & Mason, London Fortnum & Mason’s annual pumpkin carving competition returns this Halloween. Children aged 5-8 years can compete to carve the most spine-tingling pumpkins! Theres sweet treats on offer for the best entries. Slots available to book at £20 per person (plus booking fee) on 26th/27thOctober.
Pick Your Own Pumpkin, Strawberry Farm, UpminsterKids can pick their own pumpkin from Strawberry Farm, located just a mile from Upminster Station. This is a great way to teach kids about where the food they eat comes from, and they will love carving their own pumpkin once home. Pumpkin picking costs start at £1, running until 30thOctober.
What are your favourite Halloween traditions? Do you have any recipes for frightening feasts? Let us know on our social media channels.