HALLOWEEN IDEAS

Question: What are some Halloween activities my kids might like to do?

Answer: BOO-ware, moms and dads! Halloween is a fun time for kids - costumes, masks, face paint . . . and lots of candy and sweets! Why not try some healthy treats instead? Let the kids play with their food for once. Kids will have fun making these edible crafts and can enjoy a healthy snack at the same time! They can be used to decorate the house or just for goblin! Parental supervision is needed. Please note that the two crafts are not suitable for children under three years due risk of choking.

Citrus Fruit Jack-O-Lantern - Cut off the top of an orange or a grapefruit with a serrated knife and scoop out the fruit using a melon baller or spoon. Draw, glue or cut out a face on the orange or grapefruit shell. Let the kids fill the shell with an assortment of dried fruit and nuts or sliced fresh fruit for a fruit salad. Press a small piece of cinnamon stick or whole clove into the orange "lid" to make a stem for the Jack-O-Lantern.

Apple Cats and Pear Witches - Use the point of a knife to cut ears, eyes and a nose into the fruit. For the cats, cut small holes for whiskers. For the witches, cut a hole in the top of the pear for a hat. Kids can press dried apricots or prunes into the apples for ears, whole almonds for eyes, strips of dried fruit or slivered almonds for whiskers and dried raisins or blueberries for a nose. For the pear witches, kids can roll dried fruit into a cone-shape for a hat and a slice of dried apple can be used for the brim. You can use slivered almonds for hair, a cashew or dried fruit for the nose, raisins for the eyes and a strip of dried fruit for the mouth. Ghost Gut Dip with "Appendages"- In a blender, blend equal parts low fat cottage cheese and unsweetened pineapple chunks. Leave the mixture a little lumpy to look like "guts". Serve with "appendages" of celery sticks and apple slices.

Be creative and try a variety of vegetable and fruit slices. These snacks are fun to make and you can use a variety of common household foods. Kids can be silly and creative in preparing these treats. By encouraging your kids to brush and floss their teeth after eating any dried fruit, Moms can be assured their kids are having a tasty, nutritious snack on Halloween! Use different types of nuts, dried and fresh fruits, and even vegetables to garnish these craft ideas. Try offering kids new types of vegetables and fruit to taste & they can explore new foods and have fun at the same time! These Halloween treats are spook-tacular!!!

WRITTEN BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH NUTRITIONISTS OF SASKATCHEWAN

Originator: Amanda Nahnybida, Dietetic Intern for Cheryl Thiessen, Keewatin Yatthé Health Region

References:

"Eating Well - Kids All Hallow's Eating," (Edited By: Caroline Crawford - provided article). "Gory 'Good for You' Snacks," http://www.parentsplace.com/print/0,,109841,00.html (site visited June 20, 2003).