(StatePoint)
Autumn is here, which means Halloween is fast approaching. You can help make this season extra special for your kids by getting them in the spooky spirit with some great Halloween reading, viewing and hands-on activities.
Eerie Reading
With all that homework that comes with a new school year, you may be hard pressed to get your kids to do any extra reading. However, a fun Halloween book will earn their attention. Check out “Professor Gargoyle: Tales From Lovecraft Middle School #1,” by Charles Gilman, the first in a new series about the strange world of a creepy middle school. With a science teacher who morphs into a monster before you even open the book, this is one book you can judge by its cover, and it may also inspire a great costume. A nod to H.P. Lovecraft, the iconic horror author of the 20th century, this book is ideal for boys and girls ages 10 and older. To learn more about the book, visit www.lovecraftmiddleschool.com.
Frightful Viewing
There’s nothing more evocative of the season than a Halloween movie. You can make a night of it at home with some popcorn and an old classic like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” or take the kids to the theater for a new tale. “Hotel Transylvania,” for example, a 3-D computer-animated film starring Adam Sandler and Selena Gomez, will make Dracula fun for kids.
Creepy Crafting
From carving your own Jack-o-Lanterns to designing your own Halloween costumes to adorning your house and yard with homemade decorations, Halloween presents the perfect opportunity to get creative with crafts. Encourage your kids to go the do-it-yourself route this year. Not only are homemade costumes so much more unique than store-bought costumes, they can be inexpensive to create and are a lot more satisfying to show off to friends. Safety note: let little ones design their own Jack-o-Lanterns and help you scoop out the pumpkin, but leave the actual carving to an adult. Great crafting ideas abound on the Internet, including costumes that require no sewing. For inspiration, visit www.parenting.com. Make this Halloween a memorable one for kids with some great new reads, films and crafts.