Apple bobbing has fallen out of favor, with parents lamenting the unsanitary conditions and potential spread of germs, not to mention the hazard of drowning. Thankfully, there are various alternatives to apple bobbing that can still make for an exciting Halloween game.
AUTUMN GAME ALTERNATIVES
CANDY CATCH
Participants line up holding a small receptacle, such as a cone-shaped party hat turned upside down or a small plastic pumpkin. While an adult tosses candy into the air, the children try to catch it in their containers. Apple Toss As a variation on a beanbag game or ring toss activity, players can aim a plastic apple or pumpkin into a hole or barrel. Red ping pong balls tossed into canning jars or plastic cups can work as well.
FISHING FOR APPLES
Attach a magnet to an end of string tied to a stick to make a fishing rod of sorts. Cut out paper apples and adhere something metallic to the cut-outs, such as paper clips. Kids take chances fishing out their selections. Each cut-out earns players a prize.
HANGING APPLES
Rather than putting apples in a barrel full of water to float, tie strings to the stems. Then hang each individual apple to a clothesline. Without using their hands, participants must eat the majority of the apple of their choosing. Apples can be replaced with other treats, such as doughnuts.
BOBBING TWIST
Party hosts can still float apples in a bucket of water, having participants bob in a different way. They can try to scoop apples out with a small spoon or two chopsticks. Let imaginations reign supreme while keeping germs out of the apples.
Pumpkin Carving Tips
These tips can help anyone carve a pumpkin:
1.Begin with a fresh pumpkin. Look for a pumpkin with a green stem.
2.Plan your ideas. Draw a plan for your pumpkin before you make your first cut.
3.Delay carving until the last minute. Wait until the day before Halloween to begin carving.
4.Don’t cut all the way through. Carve and shave off layers of the outer rind until it becomes more translucent.
5.Cut a hole in the back. Cutting off the top of the pumpkin can affect its structural integrity and cause it to rot faster.
6.Use an electric light to illuminate it. LEDs work best because they don’t generate much heat.
Look for a pumpkin with a green stem.
Halloween Puzzles & Games
Use the button below to print out our Halloween Puzzles & Games to complete with your curious kids!
Recipes
Halloween Mummy Dogs
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Halloween Deviled Eggs
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Cool, peel, then 1/2 – put the yokes in a separate bowl.
Put the 1/2’s in a bowl with 1 cup of water, 1 tbsp. of vinegar and 10 drops of black food coloring.
Allow the egg 1/2’s to color in the fridge overnight – make sure to stir to ensure even coating.
Filling:
Smash the yokes with a fork or potato masher
Add 1/2 cup of mayonnaise, salt, pepper, dash of sour cream and whatever other favorite ingredients go into your
deviled egg filling…add 5 drops of yellow and 10 drops of red food coloring, mix with mixer until thoroughly incorporated.
Dump dye water off the whites and blot dry with paper towels.
Fill and enjoy!!!!
Tips: If your family enjoys olives, sliced black or green olives to top adds a nice touch.
A healthy choice!
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
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1. Remove seeds from the inner cavity. Pumpkin seeds may sometimes be covered in excess pulp. Upon removing the seeds from the inner cavity, wipe off the pulp and then spread the seeds out evenly on a paper bag, allowing them to dry overnight.
2. Once the seeds have dried, they can be placed in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Roast the seeds in the oven at a temperature between 160 and 170 F for 15 to 20 minutes.
Delicious!
Halloween Candy Bark
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Try something different!
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bacon S’mores
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Yields 12
12 thick-cut slices bacon (hickory smoked, Applewood smoked or maple)
12 large marshmallows
12 2-inch squares chocolate good quality
12 skewers
12 tablespoons butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 egg plus 1 egg yolk
2 cups flour
1 3.4-ounce box instant French vanilla pudding mix, dry, not prepared
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Make the cookies: In a bowl, cream together butter, sugar and brown sugar for 1 to 2 minutes until light and very fluffy. Add vanilla, egg and egg yolk, and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, pudding mix, baking soda, and salt.
Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until incorporated and dough comes together. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover very tightly and chill for at least 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Roll dough into balls (about 1 1/2 inch) and space 2 to 3 inches apart on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned on top. Allow to cool 5 to 10 minutes on baking sheet before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely.
To grill the bacon: Heat a grill to medium-high heat. Thread bacon onto skewers in an S-shape. Place skewers directly on grill and cook 8 to 12 minutes, rotating as needed to ensure even cooking. Transfer to a plate, let cool and then remove bacon from skewers. Set aside.
Meanwhile, roast the marshmallows: Roast marshmallows directly over the grill using skewers or roasting sticks until cooked to your preference.
Assemble s’mores: Flip one cookie over so it’s upside down. Place a square of chocolate on top of the upside-down cookie, then top with grilled marshmallow, bacon and a right side-up second cookie. Serve immediately.
Costumes & Decorations
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