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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Cute kids in costumes! and of course Reese’s pumpkins are a close second 🙂
I love theme parties and candy!
Happy Halloween!
Fall foods, Halloween and cooler temps! what’s not to love!
My favorite thing now that I have kids is taking them Trick or Treat-ing. 🙂 This year my son is 3 and my daughter is 16 months so its going to be really fun.
Thanks for the giveaway and I hope your new little daughter decides to some soon. 🙂
I love getting to decorate with all the cute Halloween stuff!
I need to try those out!!
Bitsy’s would be great rewards for my students!
I love giving away candies to kids.
Liv is growing up into such a little girl! And I love those ghost bananas! Such a fun idea!
Definitely visiting the pumpkin patch!
I want to try Bitsys!
I have been meaning to try bitsys! I love all things halloween!
The mini chocolates and dressing up!!
Roasting pumpkins (and the seeds!)
Love all the pumpkins and the fall colors
Love the crisp, fall air!
we put on a street carnival for our neighbors every year (it’s not a super safe neighborhood, so we do the carnival so kids can come play games and get treats and have fun without putting their lives in danger…), and it’s so much fun!
dressing up 🙂
The costumes! 🙂
LOVE Halloween! Not only do I adore seeing all the kids dressed up, but it’s my Dad’s birthday
Costumes, candy, carving pumpkins
TARGET!!!!! (I live in Italy but whenever I come home to visit it’s literally the first place I got. Need my fix.)
I love all things Halloween, especially all of the seasonal treats 🙂
My favorite thing about Halloween is dressing up my pup. 🙂
The children that come to the door: I enjoy seeing all the fun costumes every year.
I can’t wait to try these- er I mean have my daughter try them!! Come to momma gift card!
All the cute kiddo’s in costumes…and seasonal treats that come with it! I’m living in Italy right now until May, but Target is always one of my first stops when I’m back!
Carving pumpkins! Never too old
I LOVE the sushi roll costume. Too cute! Target always comes through with the best holiday treats/decorations!
hallowmas!!!!!
I love your fall décor! Carving pumpkins has always been a fave!
I’m right there with you – LOVE Halloween. I get very excited as I pull out the 3 …well now 4 storage tubs full of “fall and halloween” decorations/costumes. Actually if I win the gift card I’ll probably spend it on ore Halloween goodies or storage containers.
I’m so excited to pass out candy for trick or treating this year! Love seeing all the kids in their costumes.
I love everything about Halloween! I especially love dressing up. 🙂
Julian DOES have the best pie! Worth the drive. They have a polar express train at Christmas time too.
Our son was born 2 days late.. I denied a week earlier induction as well.. Best wishes!!
That is a great idea to games those out instead of candy!
I love the kids in costumes!
As a dietitian and fellow cookie lover I have to agree…the cookies are DE-LISH 🙂 Little lady has wonderful taste! 😉
My favorite thing is picking out a pumpkin!
Tarrrrget! *Heart emoji eyes*
I’ve never tried Bitsy’s but they look good! Also, Target always has amazing decor. It’s one of those places you go to buy a few things and end up spending way too much money!
I love halloween goodies!
What I enjoy about Halloween most now is seeing my 4 year old son dressing up. I find all holidays seem more festive when you have a kid to share it with.
I love decorating and making treats with my students for halloween!
We love Bitsy’s!! Wonderful festive ideas for Halloween!!
The best part about halloween is the fun sized treats!
My neighbors seem to have a front yard decorating competition, so it’s fun to walk by and enjoy their hard work. It’s also fun to hear kids explain their reasons for choosing their costumes.
Can’t wait to dress up my little one for Halloween!
I love carving pumpkins with the kids each year!