Sharing the Halloween spirit with kiddos (+ a Target giveaway!)
Hi friends! This post is sponsored through my partnership with Bitsy’s Brainfood and includes an awesome Target giveaway!
Even though I think Liv has always *enjoyed* holidays, she really has the hang of it this year. She is looking forward to Christmas, her birthday, and won’t hesitate to tell you what she’s going to be for Halloween. (“You have to guess first!”) I’ve always been a fan of the holiday season, and find that it’s even more enjoyable and magical with a little one. It’s so much fun to share traditions with her, create our own, and share in the holiday spirit.
(Liv’s first Halloween as a little sushi roll.)
Since Halloween is on the way, here are some of the things we’ve been doing to enjoy this season:
Crafts
Martha Stewart I am not -in fact, if she saw my caramel apple abomination in the fridge she would die laughing- but I love doing simple crafts for each holiday.
Some of our favorites:
Mummy jars. Our babysitter got this at the One Spot in Target and brought it over to do with Liv. She said they have a ton of different Halloween characters.
Painting pumpkins. We had a pumpkin painting party when Liv was itty bitty, and last year, painted pumpkins on the patio.
This easy and whimsical bat craft.
Simple cut and glue work: I cut out the pumpkin, stem, eyes, nose and mouth, then gave her a glue stick and she put him together.
(Proud mama moment: Liv only needed help making the “V” and the “A” in her name. Blown away!)
Fun with food
Injecting some spooky spirit with these little mandarin orange “pumpkins” and banana ghosts
Cake batter rice crispies
We’re officially obsessed with this recipe, and added Halloween sprinkles to the latest batch
Decorating
For us, just dragging things out of storage is exciting!
While I don’t go too over-the-top with Halloween decor (Christmas is another story), it’s fun to have some Autumn-esque touches here and there.
Pumpkin patch
It doesn’t feel like fall until you’ve made it out to the pumpkin patch! There’s a nearby town called Julian that we’ve been wanting to check out, too. Not only can you pick your own pumpkins and apples, but word on the street is that they have the best pie.
Music
I’ve had way too much fun introducing Liv to “The Addams Family,” “Monster Mash” and “Thriller.”
Costume parties
Oh wait. That’s every day around here.
Books
Some of our favorite Halloween books:
Pinkalicious: Pink or Treat
Franklin’s Halloween
It’s Pumpkin Day, Mouse!
Picking out treats!
Liv was SO excited to see her beloved Bitsy’s cookies at Target amongst the Halloween snacks, and that’s what we’ll be giving out this year.
(She insisted on having a pack to “test them out” haha.)
Not only are they nut-free and certified organic but it’s a nice way to switch it up from the overly sugary sweets. These cookies taste amazing, and are also a great way to get in some bonus nutrition through fruits, veggies, healthy fats and fiber. An awesome deal if you’re shopping for Halloween trick-or-treaters: the Bitsy’s products are 15% off this week via the Target Cartwheel app.
I think our trick-or-treaters will be very happy. 🙂
And now, it’s giveaway time!! Bitsy’s Brainfood kindly offered a $50 Target gift card to one lucky winner. Enter via the widget below and the winner will be announced one week from today.
Ready, set, go!
xoxo
Gina
This post is sponsored by Bitsy’s Brainfood. Thank you so much for supporting this blog and the companies who help support our family. <3
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My favorite thing about Halloween is seeing my nieces all dressed up. Thanks!
Congrats!
Halloween — the adorable kids in costume.
My favorite thing is seeing my kids so excited-my son just turned 4 and has been talking about costumes for months!
My favorite thing about Halloween is the classic scary movies.
I’d be lying if I said anything other than candy!
I love the costumes!
I love getting to hand out candy! Had to get creative this year since no one really trick or treats in my apartment complex, so I’m a volunteer at the zoo’s celebration!
Congrats mama!
AH!! Congratulations!!!!!
I don’t know if I can choose just one! I just love the whole month of October! The pumpkin patches, apple picking, carving pumpkins, handing out candy, making holiday themed treats!!
I love the Fall decorations on Southern porches!!
love target!
Seeing all of the kids dressed up and having a blast is the best! Also. Clearance candy from Target afterwards!
definitely the candy
Congrats!! I love dressing up as a family.
I love all the candy!!! 🙂
I love dressing my dog up! This year she will be a sailor:)
We dressed our little guy up as a chicken last year and will most likely be re-using the costume this year since he won’t remember ;0)
Definitely picking some up!
Target is one of my favorites for holiday decor!
Favorite thing about Halloween has to be the !
My favorite thing is the candy!!
I’ve been wanting to try these — looks like such a great alternative to the typical candy (not that there’s anything wrong with candy) =)
My favorite thing is taking my kids trick or treating. Our neighborhood gets really into it and my kids love it!
Love the pictures! Xo
I love everything about halloween! Pumpkins, fall candles, skeletons, halloween costumes. It’s my favorite holiday
the skull decorations!
I love all the fall decorations! I will have to make those rice crispy treats they look delicious!
Yes, you and the family MUST go visit Julian! We don’t live too far from Julian, so we visit regularly this time of year. 🙂 They have the BEST pie (and since I’ve heard you’ve been craving it lately, it’s a win, win!). . .my favorite is the Pumpkin Apple Pie served with Cinnamon ice cream (not all of the pie places have the Pumpkin Apple flavor, but I think it’s the best of both worlds!) and you can only get it at Julian Café & Bakery!!! Happy pie eating! 🙂
PUMPKIN APPLE?! this is happening. thank you!!
You are welcome! It’s SO.FREAKIN.GOOD! Definitely make sure you go to the place I mentioned, so you can be sure to get it!! And if you need a pie eating partner, just let me know…being 25 weeks pregnant, I certainly never turn down a chance to eat pumpkin apple pie and we’re close! 😉
pie buddies! let’s do it. if baby isn’t here by this weekend, i’ll send you an email!
I hope for your sake (and b/c we all want to “meet” her!) that you do have her by this weekend, but meeting up for pie sounds like a good plan to me! 😉 Hang in there, Mama! 🙂
My favorite thing is the candy.
Actually, I don’t like halloween, but I do like Target! 🙂
I love dressing up and coming up with a creative costume!
Trick or treating with my two cuties (Elsa and Anna this year!)
we like to pass out candy as a family and every body brings something – like chilis, hot drinks, etc….
I love seeing little babies dressed up. So precious!
We love going to a local pumpkin patch as a family for a hayride
I love all things pumpkin and the fall weather..
Love the decorations!
My favorite is the little ones all dressed up!
Target is 5 minutes from me. Dangerous. And i was sure you’d be introducing us to the little sister today. Maybe this week!
Dressing up!
I love passing out candy on Halloween! I’ll be buying ours a day or two before so it doesn’t all get eaten ahead of time. 😉
My favorite things about Halloween are the scary movies, the fact that it’s sweater weather, and the candy of course!
I love dressing up my boys in fun costumes and, of course, all the candy!!!
Love Target! I’ll go there for one thing and end up spending a ton lol
Love the Sushi roll idea!! My daughter is begging to be Elsa, and I’m begging her to be anything but Elsa!!
I love the costumes and my family’s traditional chili dinner Halloween night 🙂
My favorite thing about Halloween is all the decorations. While I don’t get too fancy myself, it’s fun to see the creativity others have! Thanks for a such a nice giveaway!
I love decorating!!!