Toddler 2 Yr Old Classroom Halloween Party

My son had 2 good party snacks last year for Halloween. One was rice krispie treats and the mom brought orange icing and the kids got to ice their treat. The other day we did a trail mix of candy corn, marshmallows and cheerios (it's a peanut and tree nut free school so chocolate was out since almost all of it is processed in a plant with peanuts).

Okay this is a very sugar laden treat but I told them about it at daycare and they loved the idea for my daughter's preschool class (and the 2-3 year old teacher is going to make it too!)

I bought these ingredients (cost about $25 total but I'm asking for the leftovers) and my mom and sister are going to my daughter (3) Halloween party tomorrow dressed as friendly witches!

Witches Brew:

1. Milk
2. Honey
3. Chocolate Syrup
4. M-n-Ms
5. Marshmallows
6. Chocolate chips
7. Sprinkles
8. Mixing Bowl
9. Spoon
10. Small cups
11. Whip Cream

Mix each ingredient (as much as you want) into a bowl. Stir. Pour designated amount into each child's cup - making sure to scoop in some of the goodies into each cup. Top off the drink with a mound of whip cream. Sprinkle liberally with sprinkles and top with chocolate chip eyes in the whip cream. Enjoy!

ritz, cheese cubes, cut up fruit, trail mix like chex trail mix.

As a preschool teacher, my suggestion would be to limit treats to low-sugar/sugar free snacks. This isn't about being a meanie, but helping families avoid meltdowns and sugar crashes. If families aren't present, think of the teachers. A room full of tired, whiny sugar-crashing kids? Sooo un-fun! (Some will disagree with me on this, say that sugar has no negative affects, but I know what I've seen...)

Kids love: apple slices, popcorn (love love love it!!!), almonds/nuts (if there's no restriction on these for allergic reasons), strawberries, string cheese cut up into circles, grapes, crackers, baby carrots/veggies for dipping and hummus or ranch, bananas, raisins, etc.

I've noticed that when we have these sorts of kid-centered events, parents like to bring on the sweets. The trouble is, this is all the kids usually eat. They don't often sit down and have the more substantial foods that would help them better process the sweet stuff. Popcorn is my preschool's favorite: we have a "popcorn picnic" each Thurs at snacktime with popcorn and apple slices served on a blanket on the kitchen floor, and the children always ask me "when is popcorn day?" on a daily basis. So, if you are wanting success, if it were me, I'd start with popcorn.

We've always had cut up fruit, cheese cubes, pretzels/crackers, and one cookie or sweet thing. This year one mom made "scary mouths" out of apples and almonds - not really scary but the cutest idea ever. Looks like she cut apples in half (no core), then cut a v-shape in the back of the apple (where the skin is) so that it looks like two halves but they are connected. Then she stuck almond slivers (the kind used for fingernails on other Halloween food) and made it look like teeth. I'm sure you can find some healthy Halloween snacks on line. I'd steer clear of too many sweets though b/c that won't be filling for the kids and they'll be hungry later when parents are gone and teacher has nothing to feed them. Our classroom has a sign up sheet with suggestions from the teacher and parents can sign up for a suggested item or bring something else - that way there are at least some filling foods guaranteed.

Don't go too crazy - 2 year olds can be such picky eaters! You could make some simple cookies and put a piece of candy corn in the center. Dunkin' Donuts makes munchkins with orange sprinkles on the outside. They look festive mixed with plain glazed ones and chocolate ones.

I was looking at an email last night and I cannot remember where it was from but they had better alternatives to the junk (read sugar) snacks that are always available at parties. One of the items was a jello cup. They used clear cups. They had green and blue jello mixed in the cups and a worm sticking out of it. I believe the way to make it is start with the green jello and just when it is a bit solid--not too much, add in cooled off blue jello and tilt a bit to mix and put the worm in sticking half out of it. The jello ended up looking a bit like water.

Why not bring "Hoodsi Cups" ~ ice cream !! Who doesnt Love icecream??