Spooky-licious scary food recipes: ghoulishly gruesome Halloween party foods

Hosting a Halloween party? Want to scare up ghoulishly gruesome (but spooky-licious) snacks your little hob-goblins? These spooky snack recipes guaranteed will gross out the bravest guest. Set up DIY make-your-own snacks and get double duty of party foods and crafts. Or do triple duty with a game thrown in. Organize them by Halloween creature. Play a blindfold touch and feel game. Have guests guess what foods are. Set out labels so guests know what creepy confections they ate.

Ghosts

--flesh: marshmallows

--guts: marshmallow fluff or vanilla frosting

--ghost guts cookies: pinwheel cookies

--blood: milk

--brains dipped in ghost blood: raw cauliflower dipped in ranch dressing

Vampires

--teeth: red apple wedges dipped in Hershey's Strawberry Syrup (blood)

--bloody fingers : hot dogs with ketchup

Haunted Jack-o-Lantern

--pumpkin blood: orange juice

Bats

--teeth: black and orange candy corn

--wings: grape fruit leather or prunes

Mummies

--brains: popcorn (being dried out, mummy brains are shrively and crumbled.

--people mummies brains: make popcorn balls with marshmallows and red M&Ms.

--cat mummy brains: popcorn and red M&Ms (Egyptians loved their cats and mummified them).

--zombie Barbie brains: whole walnuts

--wrappings: cotton candy

--guts: assorted dried fruit

--hearts and ears: pretzels

Skeletons

--fingers: mozzarella cheese sticks or pretzel rods

--faces: yogurt-covered pretzels

Witches

--brains: broccoli

--blood: milk and green food coloring, limeade

--guts: pistachio pudding or guacamole (serve with tortilla chips called dragon scales)

--eyes: green grapes or sliced kiwi

--Witches' brew: mulled spiced apple cider. Have children watch as you describe and prepare. Heat monster blood (apple cide) with eye of newt (whole cloves), dragon claws (cinnamon bark), Slenderman eyes (lemon slices), toad eyes (raisins), dash of skeleton paste (butter) and ground scorpion (nutmeg).

--Witch blood slushies: frozen honey dew melon or kiwi, blended with Greek yogurt and lemonade.

Miscellaneous

--Frankenstein --Nuts and Bolts: Chex Mix or Cheerios Trail Mix

--zombie sandwiches (as in for, not made of): Sliced lunchmeat (brain cross-section) sandwiches with guts and blood (mustard and ketchup).

--eye slices: sliced kiwi or cucumber

--werewolf gut and blood sandwiches: PBJ sandwiches

--toasted spider legs: chow mien noodles
For tons more Halloween activities visit Halloween Harvest & October and for recipes come to Great Food 4u. Need educational printables try Free Printable Lesson Plans and for holiday cards try Free Printable Cards 4U

Free printable Valentines Day crafts, valentine activities for kids

At each holiday, there are a few good websites to check for free printable holiday greeting cards, crafts, party decorations and coloring pages. Here are the best free printable Valentines Day crafts, greeting cards, valentines for classroom exchanges and children's Valentine's Day activities.

Start at The Toymaker for whimsical, Victorian-inspired Valentine's Day crafts. This link takes you to the Holidays - Valentine's Day page, but be sure to check out all the free printable toys, stories, games, crafts, cut and paste, holiday activities and novelties for children. The Toymaker, whose name is Marilyn makes all these free printables herself. For Valentine's Day crafts, there are free printable valentines greeting cards, treat boxes, a cute elephant valentine holder, valentine ornaments, a Celtic Valentine's Day treat box, a pixie box, door hangers, party decorations and more. These free printable crafts are perfect for preschool, homeschool, classroom and nursing home craft activities. Remember senior friends at Valentines Day when you exchange greeting cards.

Free printable brings you the best of web in freebies to print. This links takes you to the free printable valentines, just perfect for children's Valentine's Day exchanges. There are cute valentines with animals, hearts, frogs, flowers, dinosaurs and more. There are Valentine games, puzzles, decorations and other crafts, too. Be sure to scroll around for the multitude of other free printables.

Free Kids Crafts is another great free printable crafts clearinghouse. Sign up for the newsletter to see what great new activities are available. The link takes you to the first page of free printable valentines and Valentine's Day crafts. This page has 12 different styles of valentine crafts. Note that this is just the first page--there are four more pages of free printable valentines greeting cards and crafts alone (not to mention all the stuff to print for other holidays. Print valentines with animals, cartoons, hearts, candy, toys and more. You can make free printable Valentine's Day bookmarks, treat holders, paper glasses, party decorations, games, activities and more.

Teachers and homeschool parents, bookmark these sites for free printable party crafts, but also for that student who may have forgotten (or couldn't afford) to buy valentines to share with the class. Don't let her miss out on the valentine exchange fun--print off some valentines for her to fill out and distribute. I worked in high school special needs classroom. On Valentine's Day, many students still wanted to participate in valentine exchanges, but were deemed "too old." They were delighted when I printed valentines for them to make when their classwork was done.

Free Thanksgiving holiday crafts, games, greeting cards, coloring pages, printables

Do you love the Thanksgiving holiday? For some folks, it's the favorite of the holiday season. If you're a penny pincher who doesn't spend money on decorations and party supplies, yet likes to decorate, here are free printable Thanksgiving Day and seasonal decorations, Crafts, coloring pages and party games. Kids will love making greeting cards from holiday printables. Get Halloween and Christmas printables too. Pumpkin carving patterns, snowflake templates and more.    Free Thanksgiving holiday crafts, games, greeting cards, coloring pages, printables

Free printable Catholic crafts, Bible bingo, Christian games, religious puzzles | Examiner.com

The Catholic liturgical year heads into Lent on Feb. 10, 2016. In this most solemn and meaningful season, Catholic school teachers, religious education instructors, homeschool parents will enjoy these free printable Catholic crafts, Christian games, religious puzzles and activities. Use these for lesson plans, party games, holy day activities and family fun.  Free printable Catholic crafts, Bible bingo, Christian games, religious puzzles | Examiner.com

Free Printable Jigsaw Puzzles and Puzzle Generators

Do you love puzzles like I do? I've been working jigsaw puzzles since I was very young. I love crossword puzzles, Sudoku, word searches, cryptograms, mazes and word games. I called myself the "puzzle genius" (confident, if a bit bombastic, was me). Back in the olden days, aka when I was a kid, you had to ask mom or dad to buy you a puzzle book or jigsaw. You redid your old puzzles, over and over again. In this digital generation we're lucky to have online or free printable puzzles. Indulge your inner puzzle lover with free online puzzles. Use puzzle generator software to create and print jigsaw puzzle templates. Then carefully cut pieces apart and store in a Ziploc bag. Print hundreds of word games and puzzles from your home printer. Use for day care, Sunday School, homeschool, party games and crafts.

Free Printable Jigsaw Puzzles and Puzzles Generator

Memorial Day Party Planner--Games, Crafts, Printables, Recipes, Activities

Holiday party planning is easy when you're dealing with one age group. Planning for young and old is more challenging. Easily-bored kids want to romp while grandparents want to sit (quietly!) and visit. Here's a patriotic Memorial Day party--RWB crafts, all-American food and recipes, kiddie parade, educational activities--everyone from toddlers to seniors, yes even parents, will love!  Cheap Homemade Memorial Day Party Fun for Toddler to Grandparent

Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics XXII Coloring Pages, Plus Russian Crafts

Everywhere I look is rings. Five intertwined blue, red, green, black, yellow to be exact. That's right, it's 2014 Winter Olympics fever and Sochi is the place to be February 7-23! As a teacher, mom and former homeschooler, I always look for ways to teach any world event in the classroom. Here are free printable winter Olympics lessons plans. Games, crafts, coloring pages, puzzles, sports-themed worksheets--all you need to explore. There are activities about Russia and the city of Sochi, too.  Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics XXII Printables, Lessons on Russia

Free Printable Preschool Board Games, Learning Activities

I'm a certified special needs teacher for CI (cognitively impaired) students. I always write interactive lesson plans. Hands-on activities, like games, make content relevant, approachable and understandable for both general and special education students. Preschool kids particularly need multi-sensory learning activities. Happily, there are many free printable preschool games available online. Free Printable Preschool Board Games, Learning Activities

Preschool Game Craft--Pirate Treasure Box

I read a blog post recently about digging through old jewelry. That post got me thinking about a nifty game-craft I did with my kids when they were younger. It was especially popular with my sons. We made pirate treasure boxes. Here's how.
You will need:
old, recycled boxes (wood, metal, cardboard) You might use old jewelry boxes as I did.
aluminum foil (to cover box if it isn't already)
fabric scraps and decoration do-dads: feathers, yarn, sequins, ribbon, faux gems, glitter (kids can use this to decorate box) Read on for complete directions. Preschool Game Craft--Pirate Treasure Box

Free Printable Educational Crafts

Summer is an excellent time to explore the wonderful world of free printable craft projects. Cut and paste activities are perfect for day care, kids at home, road trips, rainy day fun and summer craft camps. During the summer, teachers and homeschoolers have an opportunity to make educational games and activities for their classrooms. Free printable activities are the perfect resource for educational games.  Free Printable Educational Cut and Paste Projects and Activities

Free Printable Baby Shower Games, Decorations, Invitations, Cards

Got a baby on the way? Or maybe a friend or relative does? If you're planning a baby shower, baptism or christening party, you know costs can easily get out of hand. Why not save money using free online printables? Print baby shower games, crafts, decorations, banners, invitations, cards and thank-you notes. Give what you save as a gift to the mom-to-be.Free Printable Baby Shower Games, Decorations, Invitations, Cards

Cheap, Personalized Bridal Shower Crafts for Wedding Gifts

I just threw a bridal shower for my daughter. I wanted to make gifts personal and meaningful by involving guests. At the shower we had guests write notes to the bride and groom on household items give as wedding gifts. Here are shower games and crafts to make for brides-to-be.

Wooden Spoon Advice Craft: Purchase a set of wooden spoons or kitchen utensils, permanent markers,  ribbon in bride's wedding colors and an inexpensive wide-mouth vase or utensil cup. Write couple's name and wedding date on vase and decorate with ribbon (use leftover for shower decorations). Guests sign wooden spoons and write advice to bride and groom. Bride gets utensils and a useful, commemorative vase.  Read more

Free Printable Disney Easter Crafts, Easter Egg Decorations, Cards, Games

Celebrate the joy of Easter with these free printable Disney Easter activities. Need some free printable greeting cards? Here are links for ten different Disney character Easter cards. Print Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eyeore, Rabbit, Roo and all your friends from the Hundred Acre Woods. How about some free printable "Looney Tunes" Easter cards? Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Wile E. Coyote and other "Looney Tunes" friends. For Easter letters, why not print some stationery, decorated with Disney's Winnie the Pooh? Write an Easter message to grandma and grandpa, teachers and friends. Free Printable Disney Easter Activities 

Preschool Arts and Crafts Party, Cheap, Recycled

Winter is finally getting serious in our area. Kids are loving the big snow drifts! But below-zero wind chills force some parents to keep kids in the house. Schools cancel recess if it's too cold. Excess times indoors makes for restless, irritable children. Looking for cheap, indoor activities for bored, winterbound kids? How about a crafts-travaganza party?  Activities for Bored, Winterbound Kids: Arts and Crafts Party

Free Printable Chinese New Year 2013 Crafts for Year of the Snake

 The Chinese New Year is celebrated on the Gregorian (western) calendar on February 10, 2013. 2013 is the Year of the Snake, in the 12-year Chinese Zodiac rotation. Here are free printable crafts to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Free Kids Crafts has many free printable Chinese New Year crafts, including paper lanterns, 3D paper cut and paste animal crafts featuring Chinese zodiac animals, party decorations, party hats, toys, greeting cards and Chinese symbols. Free Printable Chinese New Year Crafts and Lesson Plans

Free Printable Valentine Crafts for Preschool Kids

 With Valentines Day coming up soon, my email box overfloweth with nifty crafts, treats and card ideas to celebrate. Alas, many are also costly. As a penny-pinching teacher and homeschool mom of four, I don't spend big. Here are free printable preschool valentine crafts, lesson plans, learning activities and games, for my fellow fru-gals and guys.  Read more

Free Printable Jesse Tree Coloring, Ornaments and Activities

  'A root shall spring up from the stump of Jesse's lineage'. This Bible passage foretells the birth of the Messiah. During Advent, symbols are hung on the Jesse Tree to represent the story of Jesus. For free printable Jesse Tree devotional activities, I've listed internet links. Advent is the season of preparation for Christmas in the Church liturgical year. Catholics and many protestants observe and celebrate Advent in churches and homes, using the Advent Wreath and candles, an Advent Calendar and also the Jesse Tree.  read more

Back-to-school bash, Crafts Lollapalooza

Labor Day is a bittersweet holiday. It's a time of summer endings and fall beginnings. Why not start the school year off on a fun note with a back-to-school party? Here's an easy and cheap kids' party plan for students in preschool to middle elementary.

* Choose a positive theme. This gets kids excited about school. Make it a shoe theme with the slogan "We're putting our best foot forward." Or do a football theme--"Kicking off a great year."  Throw a back-to-school bash for your kids

Free Printable Preschool Games, Hands-on Activities, Lesson Plans

Hands-on preschool games and activities help build developmental skills in early childhood. There's no need to spend money on lessons for preschoolers. You can find free printable games and interactive educational materials online. Many preschool printables are also cut and paste crafts that kids can make themselves. Here are free printable alphabet activities, reading and letter games, math worksheets and shapes lessons. Perfect for bored preschoolers whose siblings have gone back to school. Free Printable Preschool Games, Hands-on Activities, Lesson Plans

Science Crafts, Lessons Using Recycled Egg Cartons

We know that we need to reduce, reuse an recycle. As teachers, we can demonstrate this important lesson by turning garbage into learning materials and lessons. Egg cartons are one of my favorite items to reuse in the classroom. The possibilities are endless. Here are over 10 ways that you can incorporate this concept into your curriculum and lessons using old egg cartons. You'll save money and be a friend to the environment as well. 10 Science Lessons Using Recycled Egg Cartons