Halloween Party: Have a Happy Halloween Lock-in Monster Mash!

While most of us remember dressing in homemade costumes, going from house to house, yelling trick or treat, the trend is having Halloween block parties, or inviting classmates or Sunday School class Halloween lock-in parties.

The thing about lock-in parties at local churches, is that there are so many people there to help, and so many things to that self entertaining older children need little help to occupy themselves, and younger children are so easy to entertain and please that the party is bound to be a success.

Of course, in a group situation, like a Halloween lock-in party, if there is a wide range of ages, the party should be divided, if possible, and if not boundaries should be clearly defined, and any contests such as costume, pumpkin decorating and competitive games, should be divided into age groups and the games should be age appropriate.

In spite of that, your Halloween lock-in party will be a success with a little planning, and a lot of help, and your kids will be safe and sound all the while.

A responsible adult, dressed as a Halloween party gypsy, can turn a standard gazing ball into a crystal ball, and tell fortunes, or read tarot cards, in a screened off corner of the room.

Teenagers, especially, love this kind of thing.

Each teen could be required to earn a chocolate coin, to pay for his or her reading, and the loot can be recycled for other games.

Halloween party menus need not be complex. Treats such as tombstone brownies (cut like a tombstone, sprinkled with powdered sugar, and then written R.I.P.)

Dips with plastic “bloody” fingers, and the stray eyeball or two, are fun.

Graveyard Dirt Desserts (instant puddings topped with crushed Oreo cookies, mounded up to look like graves, covered in dirt) with the odd stray bone or two, or a tiny skeleton hand reaching up through the center, work well.

Rather than punch, for a lock-in, you might want to consider large coolers with push button dispensers filled with punch or soft drinks, even water, and throw away cups.

There are many game ideas, party favors, activities, and menu ideas online, in party supply stores, and department store Halloween sections, but if you plan carefully, have music, plenty of spooky snacks and drinks, a little Monster Mash music, and age appropriate music and movies, your Halloween Lock-in Party, is sure to be a night to remember!

By Gail Leino

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