halloween – Small Fry

halloween class party ideas

Who’s signed up for class Halloween party volunteering? I signed up for the “book/treat”, not sure what that means, but I am bringing both just to be sure! I asked Cal what treat would be fun and he requested Spaghetti. Can you imagine a worse snack for 25 kids?

Here are the MOST checked out Halloween books according to an Elementary Librarian! There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat // Clifford’s Halloween // Room on the Braaoom // Little Old Lady Not Afraid of Anything // In a Dark Dark Room (scary stories) // All the Lovely Bad asOnes (scary stories)

Chocolate Covered Pumpkin Pretzels

Monster Bark – there are 1,000 versions of this online but I love that this one used multi colored chocolate! Such messy fun.Pudding Cup Bats – I’ve seen this with juice boxes (covered in white cheese cloth for a ghost), apple sauce pouches (wrapped in crepe paper like a mummy), String Cheese with eyes and a mouth for a ghost, faces on Clementine Oranges like jack-o-lanterns. I like these ideas because it doubles as a craft and isn’t opened so it’s less germy as they handle their food.Scary Donut Ideas And a few cute treat ideas to add to these 8 we found a couple years ago! Also still stand so hard behind this Healthy Halloween Lunch I posted 6 years ago, ha!

And if you’re in charge of activities here’s a few easy ideas! ALL of My Mind’s Eye Halloween Decor is on sale! For smaller groups, rotations or maybe a fun price to win this Monster Magic book would be awesome to have them each do a drawing.

Print off one of these nine Ad-libs! // Sheets of stickers to make faces on small pumpkins! // Spider Ring Toss

I know these colors aren’t screaming Fall or Halloween BUT fun nonetheless to make our own monster cookies! I used this set of edible facial features!

I made the cookies from scratch and bought the frosting. Typically would have bought ALL of them because Macey’s bakery is so dirt cheap but I was in a rush. (You can order frosting from most bakeries in whatever colors you want! It was $8 for all three of these!) I also love a frosting spatula because it makes it SO much easier to smooth and control.

Not so scary but still delicious!

MORE HALLOWEEN!

Costumes + Trick or Treating: All our costume ideas from the last 6 years! // DIY Candy Tote

Food: Best Halloween Snack Ideas HERE // Healthy Halloween Lunch //

Modern Decor Ideas: Graveyard Wall // Best Ideas from Around the Web // Garland Ideas

Party Ideas: Spooky Party Hat Printable // 3D Balloons

last minute halloween costumes

We did this post last year and I think it was helpful for lots of you so it’s back! Primeable costume options – let’s do this! Also please note this elephant costume that I couldn’t fit in this collage. Cutest.

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rockstar family costume

Photos by Heather Mildenstein.

A bunch of you asked for shopping links to our family costume reveal from yesterday! Here you go m’ladies.

Bob Dylan – Suit c/o Appaman // Button down // Wayfarers // Harmonica Holder Set // Shoes // Hair was done in pincurls like this!

Angus Young of ACDC. Suit c/o Appaman // Russ’ tie for fatness // Shoes c/o Florsheim // Riding Cap // Guitar c/o Loog

Baby Freddie Mercury of Queen. Henley Jumper // Shoes // Mustache and Hair Spray

Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac! Top Hat // Kimono // Platform Boots // Tambourine (go for a bigger size if you order, this one is mini!) // Extensions // Lip

Water Activated Face Paint! Doesn’t much matter what you wear on bottom when you have this iconic of a face!

And a few more photos that kill me dead. Happy Halloween everyone

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hi-chew halloween

So excited to partner up with HI-CHEW today to share our family Halloween Costumes!! Since we moved to our rental we’re in walking distance from a corner store and every time without fail my kids pick HI-CHEWs. It’s their favorite so as far as dream partnerships, this one might be it for them. 😉 HI-CHEW has these Original Mix gusset bags filled with multiple flavors perfect for treat bags or pinatas, they’re perfect little bites! These sticks are what we’re handing out for trick-or-treaters! You can buy all of these candies at Wal-Mart, Target or Amazon!I have wanted to use this theme for my family most of my adult life. My kids knew that this was important to me and I think they caught on to my passion… OR they had a plethora of HI-CHEWs on hand and basically free reign to eat them while we got our photos. You be the judge.These boys don’t agree on much but Strawberry is both of their favorite flavor HI-CHEW. Cheers to that! Mine is Kiwi, Russ loves Green Apple. Which is your favorite?You already know my love for closet costumes and my tip for big group theme costumes is to find your inspiration images and then try and divvy the costumes out based on what each person already has in their closet! So Freddie Mercury in a singlet? Raleigh wears one basically everyday. Done.Each holiday I like to get my boys a suit for the next year and so I strategically worked these suits into the costume ideas. Why not find multiple uses, right?The only thing I had to source for my costume was the top hat! I am sort of obsessed with it now.

Russ could care less about Halloween but he’s always a good sport so if anyone would be cool with a full face of make-up it was him! Since it’s just an iconic look I didn’t worry too much about what he wore on bottom which I am sure he was grateful for because Bowie loved him some spandex.Thanks to HI-CHEW for making this dream a reality, a family band is all I ever wanted.

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#sfclosetcostumes

We are very into CPW around here when it comes to Halloween. Cost per wear. Meaning that the more we can re-use the elements of a costume the better! With a few DIY or purchased accessories, make-up or amazing hair-dos you’re all set to trick or treat and then you can hang that costume back in your closet to enjoy the rest of the year! Historically all of our costumes have been this way, so either we’re real lazy or real consistent. I went back through and tagged them as #SFclosetcostume and I would LOVE to see yours! Add the tags to new or old posts and I’ll repost favorites the rest of the month! So today, I am rounding up my favorites from around the web and sharing one new one for you to peep.

ASTRONAUT RALEIGH!Sweater: from this set from ED by Ellen Degeneres C/O // Pants: Old Navy $6 right now! // Moccs: // New Nasa line via Freshly Picked C/O // Helmet: Via Amazon Another amazing resource is June and January’s hashtag #jjhalloween. Look at these!!

#jjhalloween 1&2 // Doll // Poison Ivy & Artist // Granny & Frida // Beanie Baby // Home Alone

booyah box

It seems totally bogus to say this but even as a blogger I get tired of decorating for holidays. My bread and butter! So Booyah Box makes total sense to me as a busy mom. Sometimes I just can’t, you know? I helped them a little bit with this Halloween box and am stoked they’re launching it today because I know a few of you at least could use this kind of shortcut, too! Essentially you can buy a birthday or holiday box and they send you an array of goods to help you celebrate. Check out what is included in their Halloween box (and get 15% off with “SMALLFRY” at checkout. And of course you can decorate the entirety of your house with all these goods, or you can create the ultimate Halloween totem. It reminds me of those Christmas sweaters, what are they called? Anyhow, I loved stacking them all up in my entry for maximum impact!

Go show them some love!! And don’t forget the coupon code! “SMALLFRY” for 15% off.

wholesome sweets

Sponsored by Wholesome, all opinions are my own.

Halloween! I love it so much, and for awhile I even love having the candy stash. Until I don’t. You feel me? I’ve been wondering what I could hand out or keep around the house that is festive and tasty, but not loaded with artificial ingredients. Hello, Wholesome!! (Find a store near you here.) Their candy is GMO free, natural ingredients and Organic, too!

In addition, Cal is making some new friends at school and one of his new buddies has severe allergies. It has opened my eyes as we navigate playdates and making sure we keep him safe! As we get ready for Halloween and helping out in their classroom it made me think about how I can be more accommodating toward these tough little kids who have to grow up pretty fast and be mindful of what they eat, and miss out on a lot of what their peers are doing, too. So these products are a double whammy for me! (Learn more about their full line-up of organic mom-friendly treats and sweets here!)

Since we’re on a pretty nonexistent budget to get his classroom all spookified here’s some easy ideas that are super inexpensive! Plus you can cash in on this Wholesome candies coupon offer to save some additional dollars this holiday!

Decor that doubles as favors! We found these packs of spiders, bugs, skeletons and other spooky creatures which can decorate a tablescape, the walls or strung out for a banner. Then when the party is coming to a close have the kids pick a few of their favorites to take home!
You’re probably laughing as I have gotten my money’s worth of these stickers but it makes personalizing for a holiday so easy! Grab the bargain bags and put their names or festive sayings or words.
Make the treats part of an activity! Gummy skewers, necklaces, or art projects they can take home and eat = two birds, one stone.

Another Wholesome option for the Big Day are these allergy-friendly (free of the top 10!) Surf Sweets individual packs, so easy to give out to trick or treaters and you can feel good knowing no matter what the kiddo can enjoy it (and you’ll enjoy saving $1 off these spooky snacks, too!)These organic lollipops are individually wrapped too! My favorite flavor-wise are the gummy spiders, with these lollies in a close second!So mamas, if you need a smart option for your own Halloween celebrations, check these out! If you don’t have a store in your area, check out their online store here to stock up on your Wholesome candies!

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BUY + DIY: Halloween Decor

Back with the great debate Halloween edition: BUY or DIY? Halloween Decor has come a LONG way since we started Small Fry but there are still some elements that are still worth a DIY, ready to break it down?

As always, if you want something personalized, DIY is gonna be your best bet. Want a sassy pumpkin saying? You might have to make it. Boo Felicia for one:

2. Matching your color palette or design aesthetic. I have yet to see color blocked pumpkins so taping your own off to get that look is a must this year at least.

MORE DIYs: 3D Halloween Balloons // Felt Ball Garlands // Modern Halloween Ideas // DIY Snacks // BOO Banner //

Hate to DIY? No worries, there are SO many fun decorations you can snag online!

Party Fans // Cross Bones (would be rad as a wreath!) // Standing Skull – I’d leave this up year round TBH // Ghost Neon. I live for Target’s neons each season. // Skull Wreath in a fresh set of colors // Bat Wreath //

And the whole Mad Lab series at Target is bright and fun and fresh from the usual palette!

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mummy donut holes

Lucky for us we have the Six Sisters here today sharing their Mummy Donut Hole recipe from their new book Celebrate Every Season! So cute and EASY for your Halloween celebrating!

This recipe is taken from their new book Celebrate Every Season which has easy, tasty recipes to help you make the most out of the seasons changing, produce in season, and of course all your celebrating! I’m excited really delve into this book as now some of my very favorite holidays are coming! Here’s the recipe for the Mummy Donut Holes!

Mummy Donut Holes

Serves: 24 | Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: n/a | Total time: 20 minutes

1 (1-pound) package white chocolate candy coating or almond bark, divided

24 donut holes

Black gel frosting

Melt ¾ of the white chocolate candy coating in a bowl according to package directions.

Dip each donut hole in the chocolate, making sure to cover entire donut hole with chocolate. Remove from chocolate using two forks, letting excess chocolate drip back into the bowl.

Place donut hole on baking sheet covered with parchment paper and let sit for 30 minutes to an hour so that the chocolate can harden (if desired, you can put them in the fridge and they will set up faster).

Melt remaining white chocolate and, using a spoon, drizzle “mummy lines” on each donut hole, leaving a little room for the eyes. Let harden for about 30 minutes.

Place two black gel dots on each donut hole for eyes and serve.

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