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October brings crisp air, colorful leaves, and a perfect excuse to embrace your spooky side. Whether you’re decorating the house, planning a small get-together, or just want to make the week leading up to Halloween more festive, there are plenty of simple and fun things to make and do.

1. DIY Decorations You don’t need a big budget to turn your home into a haunted hideaway. Try making “ghost garlands” by drawing faces on white tissue paper wrapped around lollipops—tie them with orange ribbon and hang them across your doorway. Empty milk jugs make perfect glowing ghosts; just draw faces with a black marker, cut a small opening in the back, and drop in a battery tea light.

2. Family Games Pumpkin bowling is a crowd favorite. Line up empty soda bottles, grab a small pumpkin, and see who can knock down the most “pins.” Another fun option is a “mystery feel box”—fill shoeboxes with peeled grapes (eyeballs!), cold spaghetti (brains!), or cooked rice (maggots!) and let everyone take turns guessing what’s inside.

3. Costume Parade or Backyard Hunt Host a mini costume parade around the neighborhood or yard.

For younger kids, hide small trinkets or candy around the yard and have a “Pumpkin Hunt”—think Easter egg hunt with a Halloween twist.

4. Spooky Movie Night Pop some popcorn, grab cozy blankets, and turn on family-friendly classics like Hocus Pocus, Casper, or Hotel Transylvania. Dim the lights and add orange string lights for an eerie glow.

Easy Halloween Recipe: “Mummy Dogs”

Ingredients: – 1 package of refrigerated crescent roll dough – 8 hot dogs – 2 tablespoons mustard or ketchup (for “eyes”)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Unroll the crescent dough and cut it into thin strips.

3. Wrap each hot dog with dough strips, leaving small gaps for the “mummy’s face.”

4. Place on a baking sheet and bake 10–12 minutes, or until golden brown. 5. Once cooled slightly, use mustard or ketchup to dot on tiny eyes.

Serve your mummy dogs with a side of “bloody” ketchup for dipping and enjoy a frightfully fun snack!

Halloween doesn’t have to be complicated to be memorable. With a few creative touches, a spooky snack, and some laughter, you’ll have a celebration everyone will remember long after the pumpkins fade.