With Halloween fast approaching, it’s an ideal time to plan some enjoyable and economical activities to keep your children amused. Cost-effective children’s activities are my favorite, offering not only fun for us parents but also a chance to bond with my son through amusing and exceptional experiences.
If you’re on the hunt for affordable and thrilling activities for your little ones this Halloween, here are a few suggestions that might pique your interest:
1. PUMPKIN DECORATING
This time of the year, pumpkins are readily accessible and cost-effective. Carving or sprucing up pumpkins makes an excellent family activity for the weekend. At home, we prefer decorating pumpkins, which typically involves letting my son paint or sketch a face on his.
Consider verifying if any local Michael’s stores are holding pumpkin decoration events. Many people carve pumpkins annually as decor, while some towns even hold competitions with prizes for the best-carved pumpkins.
Remember to wash and save the seeds if you carve pumpkins, as they can later be roasted in the oven with a bit of oil and salt, creating a tasty snack.
2. COOKING TREATS FOR A FRIEND OR NEIGHBOR
If your children enjoy watching you in the kitchen, consider involving them in preparing a delightful treat for a friend or neighbour. Most homemade baked foods cost less than a dollar per serving and generally taste superior to store-bought equivalents, making the slight extra effort worthwhile.
Moreover, you can initiate a tradition with your children and teach them to prepare a unique dish. I recently made pumpkin pies, typically preparing extra to share with others. You might consider baking cookies, pumpkin bread, or cupcakes, preparing an additional batch to take to a neighbour, a friend, or even a local nursing home.
3. ATTENDING A LOCAL HALLOWEEN PARTY
Compiling a list of nearby Halloween parties is essential. Various community organizations and businesses host parties featuring delectable food and activities that can be enjoyed by everyone in the family.
Numerous parties encourage dressing up, which is an excellent way for my son to get extra use from his costume. In my view, buying or creating a costume to wear for a single day doesn’t seem cost-effective, so I ensure we attend several Halloween parties each year.
Usually, community Halloween events have a modest entrance fee which goes towards improving the organization. For me, the fee which typically ranges from around $3-$5, has always been minimal and well worth it considering the various fun-filled activities on offer.
4. PARTICIPATING IN SCHOOL EVENTS
If your child attends regular school or daycare, they may have Halloween-themed events lined up. School Halloween parties and craft evenings are exciting because children get to interact with their school friends, and you get to meet their parents.
Typically, these outings are budget-friendly. A pumpkin-themed event at my son’s school, for instance, cost just $3, simply covering the price of the pumpkin. If you can spare some time to volunteer, you might even accompany your child on a fall field trip offered by their school. Group rates for school trips to pumpkin patches and corn mazes are always a bonus.
5. NEIGHBORHOOD TRICK-OR-TREATING
I’m confident you haven’t overlooked trick-or-treating. Be sure to explore various events in your area in addition to the typical activities scheduled for October 31st. Malls and local enterprises often welcome trick-or-treaters.
In previous years my son and I visited our local mall for trick-or-treating when the weather was poor. Other times, we made use of early trick-or-treating opportunities offered by local businesses, allowing for door-to-door trick-or-treating a week ahead of Halloween.
Be proactive and start organizing your schedule. Now’s the time to determine which activities you might want to partake in and which events you’d like to attend to make the most of the season. You can check your local library or events website for a list of child-friendly activities. Despite the number of events available to choose from, a few pumpkins and some in-home crafts can often do the trick. Keep in mind that children are easily entertained and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to keep them occupied.
Can you share what budget-friendly activities you’re planning for your kids this Halloween? What’s your trick-or-treat tactic?
