Halloween

A pumpkin flashing a toothy grin is a central part of any Halloween celebration. You can of course buy one in the supermarket but you could also go to a pumpkin farm and pick your own. That way, you can choose the perfect shape while enjoying some autumnal fresh air. The next decision you have to make is the face you want to carve on it – there are some awesome ideas and free templates on the Spruce Crafts website.  If you’re putting a light in your pumpkin, use an LED one instead of a candle – they last much longer and are much safer.

Alternatively, if hollowing the pumpkin out seems too much like hard work, why not get the kids to draw a face on it using a marker pen, then cut it up afterwards to eat?

The thing about hollowing out a giant pumpkin is you’re left with a lot of insides! But did you know that as well as providing Halloween scares, pumpkins are very versatile in recipes too? From soup to curry, scones to pie, there’s lots of ways you can use pumpkin, and you can also freeze it to use later. Try our tasty pumpkin tart recipe or check out all these ideas on the BBC Food website.

Not a fan of pumpkin? Did you know that before pumpkins got in on the act, Jack o’Lanterns were traditionally made from humble turnips? This video tells the story and shows you how to make your own. If you’re putting a light in your turnip, use an LED one instead of a candle – they last much longer and are much safer.

Every parent hates the word costume! But thankfully Halloween is easier than other events (did someone say World Book Day?) Pop a sheet over their head and they’re a ghost. Draw a lightning-shaped scar on their head and stick them in their school uniform and you have Harry Potter. Wrap them in toilet paper and they’re a mummy. Here are some more imaginative ideas from the Huffington Post – the baby spider is too adorable!

Halloween is traditionally a time when kids stuff themselves with sweets – but it doesn’t have to be that way! There are lots of ways that healthy snacks can be transformed into Halloween treats with a bit of a spooky makeover. Carrots and celery sticks are dead men’s fingers. Grapes and tomatoes are eyeballs (peel them for extra creepiness). Satsumas with faces drawn on with marker pen are mini pumpkins. Rice pudding and jam makes zombie brains. And of course adding red food colouring to anything liquid (custard, milk) makes blood, while adding green food colouring gives you slime or ectoplasm. For some more healthy ideas, check out these recipes from the BBC Food website.

No Halloween party is complete without a spine-chilling soundtrack. From ‘The Monster Mash’ to ‘Black Magic’ you can have fun with the kids compiling an online playlist. Then check out these spooky moves from BBC Teach and have a devilishly fun disco!

When the 31st comes round, the whole family can have fun playing Halloween games. How about putting a terrifying twist on some party favourites, so musical statues becomes musical monsters, where everyone must strike a scary pose when they freeze, and the memory game involves spooky objects? You could try hiding Halloween treats around the house for a trick or treat treasure hunt, or having a game of bingo, where the winner must shout out ‘boo!’ as loudly as they can!

Want to give the kids a scare? Fill a small box with something that feels funny (such as cold pasta or rice, leaves, straw or feathers) and put a small prize inside. Seal up the box, leaving one small hole. Do your wee ones dare put their hand inside to find the prize?

Fancy experiencing some spine-tinging classic tunes together? At 2pm on 31 October, Children's Classic Concerts and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra are streaming a free family concert packed with epic Halloween hits, some tricks and plenty of treats! Find out more about the concert here.

To calm everyone down at the end of the evening, how about some spooky storytelling? Sit in a circle and take it in turns to tell creepy tales by torchlight. You could even listen to James Robertson and Lari Don reading a Scots version of Julia Donaldson’s Room on the Broom. Just don’t make the stories too scary – everyone needs to sleep tonight!