If hosting a group of over-treated kids at a Halloween party gives you the creepy crawlies, you probably need a solid, simple menu that will keep them happy and keep you calm. Design a menu that will make your kids scream with feigned disgust and shriek with delight. Don’t forget the pain medications to relieve the stabbing headache you may develop by the end of the party.
Tactile Terrors
At a Halloween party, the texture of food is just as important as the look and taste of it. Slippery and slimy items, such as skinless fruit and cold noodles, delight the senses. Gelatin, in crazy colors such as green, is a great food for Halloween parties. Cut it into any shape, with Halloween cookie cutters. Letting kids use their hands to eat their foods allows them to experience the ooziness of the food. Keep plenty of napkins on hand.
Ages
Halloween themes range from creepy animals to gore and terror. Take the age of your kids into consideration when planning the theme for your Halloween party. For younger children, stick with black cats, spiders, webs and other items that send chills up your spine. Fingers and other dismembered body parts made from food are best for kids. Pumpkins, gourds and other harvest foods work well for any age.
Health
Just because trick or treating is related to candy doesn’t mean your menu has to only consist of sugar. Deep, rich sausage or bean stews, soups or chilis are cozy in those cool autumn days. They also fill bellies that might otherwise be tempted by bowls of candy. Create a signature dessert, such as a cupcake with a Halloween decoration, to satisfy a sweet tooth.
Get Them Involved
Snacks will be that much more exciting when the kids can create them themselves. You can also use party time to put off munching. After all, no one can eat if the snacks aren’t ready. Let the kids dip apples or popcorn balls into melted caramel or chocolate and roll in your favorites, such as nuts, sprinkles, candies or other toppings.
Creative Consideration
Food will be more appealing to your guests if they are told it is something else. Carrots, rectangular sandwiches and other long items can be fingers, especially if a nail made of dressing is painted on the tip. Melon balls and peeled grapes can be eyeballs. Cotton candy can be spider webs. Use food-color to dye milk and pretend it’s slime.
Photo Credit
- halloween image by ennavanduinen from Fotolia.com
