If you are afraid your child will be afraid of costumes and strangers, and strangers in costumes, (they should be!), practice at home before Halloween festivities.
- Play dress up in front of a mirror. Use old Halloween costumes, or just hats and clothes in your closet. Let your little one see you put on a mask and take it off. (It doesn’t have to be scary!) Just so they know it’s still you under there.
- Visit a Halloween store and point out all the costumes. Use phrases such as “Wow! Look out tall that skeleton is!” “That witch is wearing a hat!” “That’s a silly werewolf, does he look like —–‘s dog?” What does a dog say? This dog howls!”
- Walk around your neighborhood and count the pumpkin decorations.
Need more fun? Here is a recipe for Moon Dough. It’s similar to play dough but softer. Its crumbly but will hold a shape, sort of like a snowball.
Okay to Eat Cinnamon Moon Dough.
Serve in a pie pan with utensils for an invitation to play!
You will need:
4 cups Plain Flour
1/2 cup Olive or Vegetable Oil
Ground Cinnamon
First put your 4 cups of flour into a large bowl, then make a hole in the center and pour your half cup of oil right into the center. Mix together with a whisk or your hands (have your little one help!). You’ll notice that the mixture is starting to form a crumbly texture. When you mold it together it will form a shape, and when you crumble it back down it returns to a dusty or floury texture. It takes only a couple of minutes to mix together. Add a pinch of cinnamon powder. Mix thoroughly into your moon dough and it is ready for play!
Now, go play!
Play to Grow 