39 Pumpkin Carving Designs That’ll Wow the Neighborhood

by Susie ForesmanOctober 23, 2023

A cool pumpkin carving stencil will make all the difference

Your kids have picked out their favorite Halloween costumes, and you’ve decided whether you’ll go trick-or-treating or attend a Trunk or Treat. Now it’s time to carve out a place of honor for your pumpkin in the neighborhood Halloween parade with one of our cool pumpkin carving templates. Whether you want a Ninja Turtle, Peppa Pig, or classic witch carving stencil, you’ll find a little bit of everything (and all skill levels) in our collection of pumpkin carving stencils. Feeling extra creative? Try your hand at these other amazing Halloween crafts for kids, DIY Halloween decorations, and easy Halloween-inspired treats.

What’s the History Behind Pumpkin Carvings and Jack-O’-Lanterns?

The tradition of carving pumpkins has origins in the Irish myth of Stingy Jack. People began carving faces in turnips to keep Jack’s (and other evil spirits) soul away, and when immigrants came to the United States, they started using pumpkins. Halloween is rooted in the Gaelic celebration of Samhain, which starts on Oct. 31 and ends on Nov. 1 and celebrates bringing in the harvests and ushering in the dark winter months. People would go from house to house in search of food and drink. They would also often carve makeshift lanterns out of potatoes and other root veggies, and as the years passed, several of these traditions blended to become what we now celebrate as Halloween.

How to Use a Pumpkin Carving Template

So, you’re ready to pick your pumpkin carving stencil and get to work. But, do you know the tips and tricks for carving a pumpkin? We love this tutorial from HGTV that offers advice on how to get the best-looking pumpkin on the block. We also recommend using tracing paper with a dry-erase marker or pencil on your pumpkin and having the best tools at the ready. A serrated knife is a must, as is a big spoon for scooping out the seeds and a paring knife is good for carving. You can also invest in a pumpkin carving kit, which will include everything you need to get started.

Ursula Pumpkin Stencil

Ursula pumpkin carving template — Disney on Ice

The live-action remake of The Little Mermaid was a smash hit, and while we adore Melissa McCarthy's take on the legendary Sea Witch, there's just something about the original animated form. Download the template here.

California Sea Lion Jack-O'-Lantern

It's a jack-o'-lantern but with an ocean twist! This adorable California Sea Lion pumpkin stencil is one you won't see on many porches. Download the pumpkin carving template here.

Cute Ghost Pumpkin Carving Template

Ghost in the window pumpkin carving template — Muse Printables

Who says ghosts have to be scary? This adorable pumpkin carving template from Muse Printables is perfect for families with toddlers experiencing their first Halloween. Download it here.

Soccer Ball Pumpkin Carving Template

Got a Lionel Messi fan in the house? Show your love of the game with a soccer ball pumpkin! If there's another sport that your family holds close to their heart, don't worry! There are pumpkin carving stencils for everyone. Check them out on Pumpkin Pile.

Classic Tombstone

This classic Halloween-themed pumpkin carving template will look perfect next to your witch, zombie, or monster! Download the free printable pumpkin stencil at Free Stencil Gallery.

Steve

If your kid is a Minecraft fan, then this pumpkin carving stencil of Steve will thrill their little building hearts. Download the free pumpkin printable from pumpkinpile.com.

Donatello

The new movie came out this summer, so why not add one of your favorite teen turtles to the front porch? Download it here.

Peace Sign

This peace symbol pumpkin pattern will bring good vibes on Halloween night. Download it from Pumpkin Pile.

The Mona Lisa

Carve the world's most famous painting onto your pumpkin with this Mona Lisa pumpkin carving design from Spookmaster.

The Child

Carve up a glowing Grogu this year for Halloween by using a Mandalorian pumpkin stencil. This one from Woo Jr. is super fun.

CurliCrow

This spooky crow must have picked up his witch friend's hat! Get the pumpkin carving stencil over at Pumpkin Lady.

Enter if You Dare

Simple phrases are fun, and this one is perfect for a house that has plenty of Halloween decor. Download the pumpkin carving stencil from Pumpkin Pile.

Tiger

Hey, all you cool cats and kittens! This tiger pumpkin carving design is a way to give a shout-out to the docu-series that rocked our world when the pandemic hit in 2020. Download the pumpkin carving template over at SpookMaster.

Say it with an emoji this Halloween. Not only is this adorable, but this pumpkin carving design is perfect for beginning carvers. Download the template over at DLTK.

Witch Pumpkin Stencil

What's Halloween without a proper witch pumpkin stencil? We love this one from HGTV. It's a basic pumpkin carving template that'll pop at night.

Albert Einstein

This is an advanced pumpkin carving template, but it's an amazing one! Pay tribute to one of mankind's most luminous minds with this fun design. Download the template from Pumpkin Glow.

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley's iconic monster does not disappoint. We love Better Homes & Gardens version of the classic Halloween character.

Jolly Roger Flag

Candy looters beware!! The Jolly Roger looms near. This fun skull and crossbones design is especially fun for pirate-loving folks. Grab the download over at Pumpkin Pile.

Indominus Rex

For your Jurassic Park fans, this fairly simple pumpkin carving template of an Indominus Rex is perfect. Download for free at Pumpkin Pile.

Meow

It wouldn’t be All Hallows Eve without a black cat lurking about, and we think this stencil from Woo Jr. is just the right balance of spooky and sweet.

Wednesday Addams

In honor of the Emmy-nominated Wednesday, why not carve Wednesday's unforgettable face on your pumpkin this year? Download the design by leopard toes via Devian Tart.

Goofy Jack-O'-Lantern Template

A classic jack-o'-lantern is always fun, and this one gives a little goof to the iconic pumpkin carving template. Download the design from Pumpkin Pile.

Who You Gonna Call?

Keep the ghosts at bay with this perfectly themed template from Pumpkin Carving Templates. (And have your kiddo dress up as Holtzmann for bonus points.)

I Am Groot!

If you’re a Marvel fan, then you’ve got to make a Baby Groot pumpkin this year, even if only for the cute factor. Get the template from Pumpkin Pile.

Peppa Pumpkin

Everybody loves Peppa Pig, and she’ll look fabulous on your front step this Halloween. Grab the pumpkin carving template from Pumpkin Pile.

Pikachu

Pokemon is as popular as ever, and who doesn't love Pikachu? Parents, you’ll love how easy this design is to carve. Download the template.

Cool Cauldron

Double, double toil, and trouble! Give trick or treaters traveling by broom their own cauldron for the big night with this pumpkin stencil. The hardest part will be making sure the bubbles in the mysterious brew turn out just right. Grab the design over at Celebrating Halloween.

Super Mario

The Mario Bros. have a smash movie hit on their hands, and we are totally loving it! Keep the feels going with this fun carving template. Download the stencil over at Mario Mayhem.

Room on the Broom

Go the more traditional route with Home Life Weekly‘s classic carving, featuring the spooky silhouettes of a witch and her bat friend. Let the little ones carve the large parts like the witch’s hat, and you can take the reins for the details of the bat.

Simple Spider

Spiders love to drop in for Halloween, and with this pumpkin carving template, it's easy! The big sections that need to be carved out make this one perfect for beginners. Click here to grab the pdf.

Feel the (Carving) Force

If your Star Wars fans aren't so sure about joining the dark side, there are plenty of other characters to choose from too. See them all at Star Wars.

Owl Orb

Whoooo wants to carve a pumpkin? A simple and sweet design featuring an owl resting on a branch will make little ones smile. Get the pattern from Pumpkin Carving Templates.

Candy Carving

We love the clever way HGTV uses a pumpkin to make a statement. With this candy arrow, no trick-or-treaters will be left behind.

Guide the Way

Little Wayfinders will be guided by the heart of Te Fiti when it glows brightly on Halloween night. This simple but stunning design will be a hit with the porch parade! Get the stencil over at Free Stencil Gallery.

Light the Way

For a different take on glowing pumpkins, try this candelabra design from HGTV. You can either go spooky with an eerie glow or make it classy with bright shiny light.

Vampire Pac-Man

This design from Woo Jr. takes us back to our days of Pac-Man and pinball machines—with a Halloween twist! The large blocks of pumpkin to be cut out make this a pretty easy design for little ones to pull off, too.

Spell It Out

This one simply says it all. Download it from Pumpkin Pile now!

Pirate Pumpkin

Arrrr! A pirate pumpkin is perfect for the plunder that is Halloween night. Your little buccaneers will even have a fellow matey to welcome them home after a night of collecting serious booty. Download the design over at Pumpkin Pile.

Mummy

A classic Halloween character, this wrapped up moaning monster will be a fun addition to your porch this Halloween. Download the printable from HGTV.

Make sure to capture all the fall fun—and share them with your family and friends near and far—with the Tinybeans app. The secure platform puts parents in total control of who sees and interacts with photos and videos of their kids.

26 Hilarious Thanksgiving Games to Keep the Kids Busy

by Allison SutcliffeOctober 5, 2023

Children impatiently awaiting their Thanksgiving dinner will love these games and activities that’ll have them playing, crafting, and writing what they’re thankful for until everyone is ready to eat

Thanksgiving is all about family, friends, and serious food prep, but sometimes it can be a handful keeping tabs on all the kids. To help you keep your focus on that turkey that needs basting, we’ve rounded up easy and fun Thanksgiving activities, crafts, and games your crew can play during the big day. From pumpkin tic-tac-toe to arts and crafts to outdoor Thanksgiving games for kids, we’ve got something for everyone.

Thanksgiving Games They’ll Gobble Up

A little girl sits at a table playing a Thanksgiving ring toss game — Hands On As We Grow

Thanksgiving Turkey Ring Toss

This adorable, make-ahead Thanksgiving ring toss game from Hands On As We Grow is the perfect craft and game combo. It's super easy to do, and only needs a few supplies—some of which you probably already have around the house! We bet the adults will have as much fun as the kids with this one.

Turkey Waddle

Your kids can giggle through this funny race that requires a balloon in between each player's legs. Players must make their way from point A to point B without touching the balloon or letting it fall. Get the details from Party Games Ideas and waddle away!

Turkey Baster Race

Practice fine motor skills and have tons of fun with this Thanksgiving game from School Time Snippets! Grab some pom-poms, a (clean) turkey baster, and a few kids needing to focus on something besides when dinner will be ready.

The Feather Game

Roll the dice with this crafty turkey “feather” game. We love this make-ahead game that uses colored clothespins paired with a free printable designed by Amy at The Idea Room because it's all the rage, no matter what age. Set up the game table, then let ‘em roll!

Pin the Feather on the Turkey

Give a classic party game a Thanksgiving twist with this Pin the Feather on the Turkey activity from Living Well Mom. It's an easy way to occupy the kids and provides lots of opportunities to snap photos of your players trying to pin on their feather pieces.

Turkey Trot

Send them outside for a rousing game of Turkey Trot. It’s like tag, but with a Thanksgiving Day twist. And since it’s a more-the-merrier team game, you can bring on the cousins and neighbors for this one!

Thanksgiving Bingo

Free printable alert! This easy-peasy game involves picture recognition, candies, and a whole lot of giggling. For the printable, instructions, and more, head over to Crazy Little Projects.

Have a Turkey Scavenger Hunt

Turkey bingo is a fun Thanksgiving game — Bloom Designs

Find turkeys during a scavenger hunt that either racks up outdoor time or entertains the kiddos indoors, if the weather doesn't cooperate. Thanks to Bloom Designs, you can download the game cards and pieces for free.

Pumpkin Tic Tac Toe

Who knew those mini pumpkins you're using as festive home decor can double as game pieces? We like that this activity from Toddler Approved is tactile, easy enough for younger kids, and a cinch to set up.

Thanksgiving Pictionary

A DIY Thanksgiving turkey pictionary game is ready for kids to come play it — I Dig Pinterest

Everyone's favorite charade game gets a DIY turkey makeover from I Dig Pinterest. We like how the popsicle-stick clues double as turkey tail feathers.

Turkey Bowling

Score a strike on Turkey Day with a game from The Seasoned Mom. It doesn't require any special materials, and requires almost no setup—it's a guarantee for kid entertainment.

Turkey Cornhole

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A fun way to set up a mini version of cornhole inside the house. Save a big box from a recent delivery and you’ve got what you need for this Thanksgiving game.

Creative Thanksgiving Crafts That Put a Feather in Their Cap

Two beaded napkin rings made by children awaiting Thanksgiving dinner — Buggy and Buddy

Make Bead Napkin Rings

Although your little turkeys may not jump at the chance to set the table, they’ll jump at the chance to make these beautiful beaded napkin rings. Buggy and Buddy has everything you need to know to set up and make this easy—not to mention super helpful—turkey day craft.

Design a Table Covering

Roll out some butcher paper so that it covers the entire table, then let your aspiring artists have at it with any and everything they can find in the craft bin. Then have the kids make the rounds asking guests what they’re thankful for, and record the answers on the covering. This a wonderful reminder of the season!

Make Suncatchers

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Contact paper suncatchers are easy to make (aka minimal supervision), plus they add to your Thanksgiving décor. To get started, leave out small pieces of tissue paper in fall colors. Next, have your kidlet place the paper pieces onto to sticky side of clear contact paper. When she’s done, seal it shut with another piece of contact paper. Then, use cookie cutters or other templates to trace and cut fall shapes like leaves, pumpkins, turkeys, or apples to hang in your dining room window.

Make Potato Stamps

Set up a stamp station where your mini-me can use spare dinner fixings to create fantastic works of art. Carve simple shapes into extra potatoes during pre-dinner prep. Then set up a station with plenty of paper and paints to keep your aspiring artist busy while you transform the rest of your potato stash into a delish holiday side.

Make Turkey Puppets

A girl completes a Thanksgiving crafting activity by making a brown paper bag into a turkey — No Time for Flashcards

Craft turkey puppets with your stash of brown paper lunch sacks. Allison at No Time For Flash Cards can give you the low down on this easy-to-set-up craft option that gives you precious time in the kitchen.

Craft Thanksgiving Day Hats

Two boys sit at the Thanksgiving dinner table with their family showing off the paper turkey hats they just made — iStock

Download these printable Thanksgiving Day hats for your kids to color and then wear during the festivities!

Thanksgiving Sensory Fun

Set Up a Fall Sensory Bin

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Give your sweet tot something to do with a sensory bin full of popcorn kernels. Keep with the fall theme by adding plastic pumpkins and fabric leaves, or go full farm by including Old Mac Donald and his barnyard faves among the kernels. Finish it off with measuring cups and funnels to keep those little hands busy, so you can mix and mingle with your guests.

Send Them on a Feather Hunt

Hide colorful craft feathers around the house ahead of time. Then when your sidekick comes looking for something to do, let her know the game is already afoot. Challenge her to Sherlock her way to a win by tracking them all down.

Make Pumpkin Playdough

A hand squashes round pieces of homemade pumpkin scented playdough — small friendly

Spice up your standard play dough routine with a DIY batch that’s scented like pumpkin. Carla at Small+Friendly has the deets you need to make it the day before. Then set up a play cook station for your little chef using your fave play dough tools. She “cooks” while you cook—it's a win-win!

Other Thanksgiving Activities

Make Butter

Did you know all it takes is a little shake, shake, shake to make DIY butter? Simply pour ¼ cup of whipping cream into a mason jar or other tightly sealed container. Then shake it up for around 20 minutes until the butterfat separates from the liquid. We love the idea of passing the jar between tiny guests to spread the wealth. Don’t forget to drain it before serving it alongside your fresh bread at dinnertime!

Give Thanks

Free printable Thanksgiving garland pieces designed by Somewhat Simple — Allison Sutcliffe

String together thanks with a free printable garland designed by Somewhat Simple. Print out plenty of stylish flags ahead of time. Then have your crew write out their grateful phrases before cutting out each flag and hanging them up in time for the dinner bell.

Start a Conversation

This clever kid distraction is both a game and a way to encourage everyone to get talking about anything and everything. Head to Happy Home Fairy for free conversation printables that will have your house buzzing with talk in no time.

33 Free Thanksgiving Activity Sheets That’ll Entertain for Hours

by Abigail MatsumotoOctober 4, 2023

These free Thanksgiving printables are the perfect way to keep them busy on such a long day

So you’ve already run through all your tried-and-true Thanksgiving games and activities. How about a few free Thanksgiving printables? Not only are they perfect for the kids’ table, but they’ll help your family achieve an unplugged Thanksgiving. From coloring turkeys and matching fall leaves to thoughtful lists and connect-the-dots, these Thanksgiving activity sheets are fun ways to keep the kids busy as you finish up the cooking.

Printable Thankful Poem

Thankful poem Thanksgiving activity sheet — Doodle Art Alley

Let your kids get creative while thinking about what they're thankful for with this printable "Give Thanks" poem prompter, and then, let them read it out before digging into the Thanksgiving meal. Download it at Doodle Art Alley.

Happy Thanksgiving Coloring Page

thanksgiving coloring pages — Education.com

Your kiddo can color this adorable Thanksgiving picture and turn it into a greeting card or just something fun! Find it at Education.com.

Thanksgiving Writing Activity

if your kid loves to write, they'll love this Thanksgiving activity page from Education.com!

Pumpkin Maze Activity Sheet

This pumpkin maze is a fun Thanksgiving activity sheet. — Education.com

Even the youngest members of the family will enjoy this pumpkin maze! Download the printable over at education.com.

Thankful Turkey Placemat

Gobble, gobble! Little hands stay busy coloring this terrific turkey before the big meal. Even more, if you print it on card stock paper, you'll have instant placemats. Printing these placemats is as easy as pie over at Crafts by Amanda.

Words for the Day Thanksgiving Printable

Free Thanksgiving printable — My Mini Adventurer

It’s a Thanksgiving word-fest! Little hands stay busy and learn about all things Thanksgiving by coloring in these terrific turkey day words. Head over to My Mini Adventurer for these word printables, grab crayons and you have happy little pumpkins while you finish cooking the meal.

Thankful Activity Placemat

This thankful placemat is a fun Thanksgiving activity sheet — Saving Dollars & Sense

Turn over a new leaf this year and print out these perfect placemats for half-pints to use. Your little pumpkins will have a fun time matching the shapes. Hop over to Saving Dollars & Sense for this free Thanksgiving printable.

Thoughtful List

Give Thanks free Thanksgiving printable — Teacher Karma

Whether it’s what little diners are thankful for or their favorite Thanksgiving memory, this list will keep their minds busy. A special shout out to Jen over at Teacher Karma for this creative idea.

The Ultimate Thanksgiving Activity Sheet

fun Thanksgiving activity sheet — Real Life at Home

Activities galore! From a word scramble to coloring a cornucopia, there is plenty to do with this free Thanksgiving printable. We are thankful to Angie over at Real Life at Home for providing these. All you need to provide is the crayons!

Match Colors

Thanksgiving activity sheet — Rock Your Homeschool

Can you get the right color? We love this Thanksgiving activity for the kids' table. A high five to mom Amy who gives you the free printable. Head over to Rock Your Homeschool; print it out and your little ones will stay busy while you finish up dinner. Just make sure you have all the crayon colors!

Pumpkin Mandala Coloring Sheet

Little diners will scoop up the chance to color these pretty pumpkins. Head over to Don’t Eat the Paste to print out these gorgeous gourds.

Free Thanksgiving Printable

This fun page from Artsy Fartsy Mama has a little bit of everything: coloring, a word search, a place to write what they’re thankful for, and tic-tac-toe.

Give Thanks Activity Sheet

Remind your little ones what Thanksgiving is all about with this printable from Hello Moments. In addition to a word hunt and tic-tac-toe, they’ll get to write a poem and jot down what they’re thankful for.

Doodle Time

We love this cute coloring page from 1 + 1 + 1 = 1, especially since it has enough details to keep kids busy for quite a while. Get the printable, plus another adorable page with a turkey to color in.

Amazing Thanksgiving Maze

free Thanksgiving printable maze — Brainy Maze

If your kiddo loves mazes, they’ll definitely have a ball with this Thanksgiving activity sheet from Brainy Maze. They can also color it in when they’re done.

Connect the Dots Turkey

Turkey connect the dots Thanksgiving activity sheet — Big Activities

Kiddos can get some quiet time in while filling in this turkey connect-the-dots page from Big Activities. There’s also another version available that uses the alphabet instead of numbers.

A Cornucopia

The tots can color in this overflowing cornucopia from Doodle Art Alley as they wait for the Thanksgiving feast.

Gratitude Cards

Challenge your kids to write something they’re thankful for on each of these cute cards from What We Do All Day. Or you can have them make personalized place cards for the table.

Thanksgiving Printable Memory Game

Print out, cut up, and pass out this easy memory game from Mama's Learning Corner to keep kids busy during prep time.

Word Scramble Placemat

Thanksgiving printable placemat — Jinxy Kids

Because all fine dining establishments have kid-friendly placemats, right? These particular mats come with a word scramble activity that's just right for little learners. Download the printable at Jinxy Kids.

Thankful Turkey Activity Sheet

Thanksgiving activity pages — How to Nest for Less

This activity is a great way to immortalize your Thanksgiving meal—have the kids write and draw the most memorable parts of the day. You can even print the same page next year and compare. Get the printable at How to Nest for Less.

Autumn Leaves

As the kids tackle this autumn coloring page, talk about how leaves change color in the fall. Get this printable at Make and Takes.

Snoopy & Charlie Brown

Peanuts Thanksgiving Activity sheet — Best Coloring Pages for Kids

Happiness is a warm puppy and a fun Thanksgiving coloring page. We love this page that features everybody's favorite comic strip pup. Get this printable (and more!) at Best Coloring Pages for Kids.

Paint-by-Number Turkey

This paint-by-numbers coloring page is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Little artists who like to get their artwork just right will like the easy-to-follow idea. Get this printable at Nicole's Free Coloring Pages.

Thanksgiving Mad Libs

For a giggle-inducing Thanksgiving activity, try a round (or two!) of festive Mad Libs. Get the printable over at Happiness is Homemade.

Harvest Fruit and Vegetable Word Search

This harvest fruit and veggie word search is a fun Thanksgiving activity sheet — The Kidz Page

We love a good word search, and this version features all of Fall's bounty. Download it over at The Kidz Page.

Give Thanks - Dog and Cat

Animal-loving kids will have a blast with this coloring page that gives a dog and a kitty the spotlight. As they color, talk about what your own pets might be thankful for—and why you're thankful for your furry friends. Get the printable at Coloring Pages for Kids by Mr. Adron.

Pilgrims and Giant Feast

Pilgrim Thanksgiving free printable — Raising Our Kids

Your own Thanksgiving turkey may be more modest, but the kids will get a kick out of the giant feast on this coloring page. Will they color it a delicious golden brown or go for something a bit flashier? (Blue turkey, perhaps?) Get the printable at Raising Our Kids.

Thank You For ...

What are your youngsters most thankful for? Crayons? Books? Discuss and share as they decorate this fun list. Get the printable at Living Creatively.

Adorable Pilgrim Boy

How cute is this pilgrim boy coloring sheet? This tiny guy just needs your little one's colorful attention. Download your own pages at familyholiday.net.

Thanksgiving Decoder Puzzle

This decoder puzzle is a fun Thanksgiving activity sheet — All Kids Network

Do your kids love figuring out puzzles? Give their thinking caps a mini-workout with this fun decoder puzzle. Get the printable at All Kids Network.

Pumpkin Connect the Dots

Once your kiddo connects all of the dots, they'll have the chance to color in the pumpkin picture. It's a 2-in-1! Find the worksheet on Bigactivities.com.

Turkey Color by Number

Follow the numbers to find the colors to create this exciting Thanksgiving picture! It'll be such a festive way to celebrate the holiday. Get the worksheet from Education.com.

Make School Lunch Prep Easy with This Free Printable Planner

by Marianella OrlandoAugust 23, 2023

Packing lunches day and day out doesn’t have to be painful. Sometimes, all it takes is a little organization to help you meal prep with ease!

To give you a head start, we’ve partnered with Kemps® to give you a free weekly lunch planner that you can print at home, and reuse again and again.

4 Tips to Help You Pack an Easy & Nutritious Lunch

1. Up for a challenge? Try including all five food groups: Fruits, Vegetables, Grains, Protein Foods, & Dairy

2. Meet at least half of the recommended serving size for grains with a whole wheat sandwich for lunch.

3. If your kids fight you on eating their fruits and veggies, try a juice box that blends the two!

4. Do your little ones need more protein in their diet? Add in Kemps’ new Smooth Cottage Cheese to your children’s lunch boxes, as it’s loaded with two times more protein than non-Greek, low-fat yogurts. Plus, it comes in kid-approved flavors and features fun packaging with some of their most beloved characters, such as Transformers Mixed Berry, PJ Masks Strawberry and Peppa Pig Strawberry Banana.

For more lunchtime inspiration, head to our “Making Smooth Transitions” Back-to-School Rule Book, in partnership with Kemps! You’ll discover easy recipes from Kemps that you can make with your kiddos, recommendations for a well-balanced lunchbox, and even find conversation starters to have with your kids leading up to the new school year.

18 Halloween Crafts That Are More Sweet Than Scary

by Lauren HillAugust 22, 2023

We’ve rounded up sweet Halloween crafts for kids guaranteed to give your little goblins thrills, not chills

Are frightening zombies, spooky spirits, and menacing mummies a little much for your little ones? We’ve got 18 Halloween crafts for kids that are way sweeter than they are scary (just like these Halloween jokes). You’ll find smiling jack-o’-lanterns and googly-eyed bats that’ll leave you and your crafty little pumpkins cackling with glee. Go ahead and make a night of it with easy Halloween treats, kid-friendly ghost stories, and Halloween games (including minute to win it games)!

1. Halloween Castle Craft for Kids

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This one is more of a time-consuming project, but what an exciting one! This could be a fun activity for the family or a big Halloween craft for kids, but either way, it’ll be amazing.

2. Painting Pumpkins with Apples

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You can’t go wrong with these little pumpkin paintings! Your kiddos will have fun using something different (halved apples!) to paint with.

3. Toilet Paper Roll Mummy

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This is a classic mummy craft that your kids will enjoy making! Switch it up by adding whatever type of eyes or string you’d like.

4. Candy Corn Nature Craft

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Get out into nature before it’s too chilly and find some leaves to make this fun Halloween craft for kids. They will have a blast searching for their leaves outside and cutting and gluing their candy corn pieces. Use petals for the white section if you have some around.

5. Bunny Pumpkin

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This bunny pumpkin couldn’t be scary, but it is super adorable! This project might be good for young kids, but this is also a good craft to accessorize. Add eyelashes, a hat, or anything you’d like to make your bunny unique.

6. Ghost Jar Halloween Craft for Kids

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These ghost jars will make an adorable glowing decoration for Halloween! Safety Tip: Use battery-operated votive candles to keep things safe. You can also use multi-colored string lights to make things more fun!

7. Painted Leaves

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These painted leaves are super cute ways to let your kid be creative and it doesn’t require many materials! The best part? This Halloween craft for kids won’t consume too much of your time.

8. Ghost Painting Halloween Craft

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Your kiddo will love trying out this ghost painting! They can paint any sort of accessories like hats, bows, or anything they’d like to give their ghost some personality.

9. Macaron Pumpkins

Macaron Pumpkins are a cute Halloween craft for kids — Craft Box Girls

Nothing spooky here! This sweet pumpkin craft from Craft Box Girls transforms an ordinary craft gourd into a macaron with a little paint, glitter, felt, and glue. And let's be honest, it's a whole lot easier than making real macarons!

10. Batty Silhouette

a batty sillhoutte art project is an easy Halloween craft for kids — Mini Monets & Mommies

Explore the idea of silhouettes with this batty Halloween craft for kids. Your kid can create a vampire bat, using plain black construction paper. Fold the paper book-style, and draw half the bat starting at the center. Keeping the paper folded, cut the bat out. Unfold the paper to reveal the whole creature. Glue the silhouette to a painted paper sunset to complete the craft. Get the tutorial at Mini Monets and Mommies.

11. Crafty Bats

bat crafts are a fun Halloween craft for kids — Buggy & Buddy

These happy nocturnal creatures are the perfect Halloween decor for your bat cave. You might even have everything you need lying around the house, too! Fly over to the tutorial at Buggy and Buddy.

12. Not-So-Spooky Spiders

Paper plate spiders are a fun Halloween craft for kids — Living In Happy Place

Creepy crawlies don't need to be super scary. This paper plate spider has more crafty cuteness than venomous fright. Think of it as treat, and not a trick! Get the Halloween crafts instructions from Living In Happy Place.

13. Sugar Skull Skeleton Craft

Skeleton craft for Halloween — Gabby Cullen

This sweet skeleton is perfect for kids to display all the way through Dios de los Muertos! We love that there's a free printable template you can use and that kids can decorate however they see fit. Get the tutorial here.

14. Handprint Spiders

Let the kids lend a hand (or two) to create these adorable arachnids from Fun at Home with Kids. Make a new one every year to document growth!

15. Halloween Rock Magnets

Magnet rocks are a fun halloween craft for kids — This Heart of Mine

This rockin' craft from This Heart of Mine is perfect for hanging your little monsters' artwork on the fridge.

16. Footprint Bunting

Put your left (and right) foot in to create this adorable party decor from Mama.Papa.Bubba. From ghosts to cats, candy corn, and more, let the kids decorate each footprint as their favorite Halloween characters.

17. Glittery Jack-o-Lantern Mason Jars

Mason jar halloween craft for kids — Life is a Lullaby

We love how Life is a Lullaby transformed tiny mason jars into whimsical, shimmering jack-o-lanterns that double as candy holders and decor. The kids will love crafting their own toothy grins.

18. Popsicle Stick Witch

a witch popsicle stick magnet is a fun Halloween craft for kids — This Girl's Life Blog

This googly-eyed witch from This Girl's Life Blog is wickedly cute. Part of a collection of magnets that includes a festive scarecrow and pumpkin, it's the perfect Halloween craft for the spooky season.

20 Fun Halloween Games For Kids That Are a Scary Good Time

by Kate LowethJuly 24, 2023

These fun Halloween party games will have guests howling with laughter

When it comes to entertaining little ghosts, goblins, and ghouls, there’s nothing like a few classic fun Halloween games for kids. (Halloween jokes, magic potions you can DIY, and easy Halloween treats don’t hurt, either!) From pumpkin games to free Halloween printable bingo, we’ve rounded up 20 spooktacular Halloween party games to play at your bash that will keep everyone busy and happy, even after the candy runs out. And don’t forget the fan-favorite Halloween minute-to-win-it games! If you’re looking for more general gaming fun, check out these backyard games.

Roll a Frankenstein

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This adorable Halloween party game from Housing a Forest includes rolling the dice to build your very own creation. We especially love that even the tiniest kiddo can play this game with ease.

Halloween Bingo

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Bingo is such a fun and easy Halloween game! Print out this pre-made template from Pretty Providence and get started.

Halloween Mystery Boxes

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A classic Halloween party game, fill your boxes with everything from grapes to candy to spaghetti, and let the sensory fun begin! Kids take turns sticking their hands into each box and trying to guess what those eyeballs really are.

Stack the Spider

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We love this Stack the Spider game because you can play with just one kid, and you can get all the items from the dollar store. Have them stack a certain number of spiders to work on math and fine motor skills. Or grab a die and play with two players to see who can get their spiders to the top first.

Witch’s Hat Ring Toss

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How cute (and easy) is this idea from craftyfun.com? Spray paint some mini cones and turn them into witch hats for a fun toss game.

Ghost Face

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We love this fun idea from Kid Friendly Things to Do that will have your Halloween kids digging for candy corn in a plate of whipped cream. Get the adults involved in this one for even more hilarity!

Eyeball Pong

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Snag yourself some eyeball ping pong balls from the Dollar Tree and set up your eyeball pong table. This game teaches hand-eye coordination and is fun for all ages. Get the full scoop from Productive Pete.

Pin the Eyes on the Spider

Wee Society puts a spin on the traditional Pin the Tail on the Donkey with this web-tastic DIY game. Click here to download and get started!

Witch Pitch

mini plastic cauldrons sit on top of a paper witch's hat as part of a fun Halloween party game — Chica and Joe

Witches, warlocks, and everyone in between will love this easy-to-play game. The trickiest part is not eating ALL of the candy corn while waiting for your turn. Fly your broomstick over to Chica and Joe and follow their tutorial on how to make your own witch pitch.

Pumpkin Bowling

Strike! This fun pumpkin bowling game is a cinch to put together and will have the kiddos rolling with laughter. For all the details on this boo-tastic game visit A Girl and A Glue Gun.

Skeleton Scavenger Hunt

a boy in an orange shirt reassembles pieces of a plastic skeleton during a Halloween party game — Happy Go Lucky

Everyone, young and old, enjoys a good scavenger hunt; this game is perfect for a mixed-age Halloween party. One of the best parts is that you can find plastic skeletons at The Dollar Tree. Spreading the bones all over the house and yard is the easy part. Finding them and putting them back together is up to the kiddos. Happy Go Lucky has the details.

Spider Web

A boy picks up spiders from a web made of tape during this Halloween party game — No Time for Flash Cards

Want epic chuckles rather than startled screams? Try this spider web walking game that helps little bodies sharpen their motor skills in between fits of giggles. All you'll need to get started is painter's tape, plastic spiders, and a prize for the lucky winner. Get the tutorial at No Time For Flash Cards.

Pin the Bow on the Skeleton

A print of a skeleton wearing a bow tie invites you to play a Halloween party game — Crafting Chicks

Even skeletons need to get dressed up sometimes. This "spine-chilling" game is perfect for a classroom or a house party. The Crafting Chicks have a template ready for you, all you need to do is get it printed (tip: upload it to Staples and order their engineering print for a life-size skeleton!). Voila—now you can work on tying that bow tie.

Halloween Concentration

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A great game to play at the Halloween party or give as a parting gift (packaged perfectly with a bat-like bow!). Check out all the details and download your own version at Childhood 101.

Pin the Eyes on the Monster

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Say goodbye to the donkey. Thanks to the creativity of Lil’ Luna, you can wow party-goers with a Pin the Eyes on the Monster Halloween party game. The same rules apply, and we think your little monsters will get a kick out of this friendly giant.

Melt the Witch

She's melting! Take a cue from Following In My Shoes and set up your own Melt the Witch activity. Paint a picture of a witch using washable paints and then let the kids melt her using water balloons or water guns.

Pumpkin Treasure Hunt

Think of this cute party game as the Halloween version of an Easter egg hunt. Just hide pumpkin cutouts around the house or yard and let the kids loose (For an extra-organized hunt, you can even number your pumpkins and look for them in order!). Don't forget to include a prize at the end! Get the tutorial at Little Family Fun.

Halloween Charades

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We love this Halloween version of charades—especially that you can get the free printable from the always-amazing Buggy and Buddy. It’s a great interactive activity for a party, and you can even customize your game sheet.

Spooky Scavenger Hunt

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With a few free printables, it’s easy to hunt up a little fun at your Halloween party. The kids will love figuring out the clues, and you can even include an awesome treat at the finish line (Caramel apples, anyone?). Find out more at Play. Party. Plan.

Mummy Wrap Race

Grab toilet paper or white crepe streamers and take a cue from mummy dearest. Get the kids to wrap each other's legs mummy-style, then hold a hopping race and see who can keep their wrappings intact. Oh, and get ready for lots of laughter! Learn more at Delia Creates.

14 Creative (& Totally Free) Birthday Coloring Pages

by Oz SpiesJuly 24, 2023

Birthday coloring pages are an easy way to keep young party guests entertained

It’s party time! You’ve decided on the birthday theme and you’ve picked your birthday cake recipe. All that’s left is to figure out what to do with your guests. How about fun birthday coloring pages? We’ve gathered up 14 of our favorites in all kinds of themes ranging from farm animals to Star Wars. They’ll keep the kids busy, and as a bonus, lots of these printouts double as birthday cards! We’ve even got printable placemats that make perfect table decorations.

I Spy Printable

birthday coloring pages — Brittany De Leon Paper Trail Design

We love Paper Trail Design’s I Spy printable birthday worksheet. The page is packed full of tiny treasures for little ones to circle, and it’s a fun, free, quiet activity that will occupy birthday kids before dinner. Find this birthday activity at Paper Trail Design.

Birthday Cake Coloring Page

Chocolate or vanilla, any cake is a good cake. We love that this toddler and preschool-friendly birthday cake coloring page comes without candles, so your birthday kid can draw on just the right amount. Head over to Crayola to find this coloring page.

Fox & Friends Printable

This adorable bright-eyed and bushy-tailed fox is just right for an animal or forest-themed birthday celebration. Print out extra copies of this birthday coloring page so every birthday party guest can color in their own fox friend. Find this fox at Super Coloring.

Draw Your Own Princess Page

princess birthday coloring page — Sharee Miller

Here's a coloring page that is fit for birthday royalty. Author and illustrator Sharee Miller’s Draw Your Own Princess page features a bright frame waiting for your budding artist’s own creation. We suggest printing out a dozen to have a pack of unique princesses when it's party time. Scroll down on Sharee Miller’s site to download and print.

"Star Wars" Printable Birthday Placemats

Star Wars fans will flip for Desert Chica’s Star Wars Birthday Placemats. With tic tac toe, a word scramble, and even droids to decorate, birthday party guests will be occupied while they wait for their pizza and Star Wars-style blue milk. Zoom over to Desert Chica to download your own free printable.

Spot-the-Difference Printable

If you have a swashbuckling pirate captaining your ship, print out this spot-the-difference free printable. They'll be too busy using their eagle eyes to find the seven differences between the pirate ships to pillage his presents. Sail over to Super Coloring to download and print your own.

Furry Friend Birthday Coloring Page

puppy dog birthday coloring page — Super Coloring

Kids will flip for the sweet puppy on this birthday coloring page. When decorated, it makes a great card for a dog-loving kid to receive from a buddy, or the birthday girl can color it in and display it on the fridge. Find this friendly fuzzball at Super Coloring.

Tea Party Free Printable

B. Nute’s Mad Hatter Tea Party Printable is fit for birthdays and un-birthdays alike. We love that this festive party table lets your little one doodle her own favorite characters and tea party treats. Whether you take one lump of sugar or two in your tea, you’ll love this coloring page. Visit B. Nute’s blog to download and print.

Birthday Breakfast Printable Placemat

Your local diner’s placemat doesn’t have anything on the birthday party placemat created by Hello Creative Family. With a word search, a countable pile of sprinkles, and a maze that leads to a party hat, this free birthday worksheet will give your little one something fun to do after they devour their birthday morning pancakes.

Dragon Coloring Page

dragon birthday coloring page — Super Coloring

Blow out the candles before this fire-breathing dragon has a chance. Fans of mythical beasts will love decorating this dragon birthday coloring page with colorful scales. Don’t worry—he’s a friendly fire-breathing dragon! Super Coloring has the download you need.

Farm Animal Printable

Toddlers who love a good petting zoo or go ga ga for cows will be delighted by this farm animal coloring page. The free printable from Jessie and Jade awaits their colorful scribbles. Visit Jessie and Jade to download and print your own menagerie.

Printable Scratch Art

It might be a little more work than the other birthday printables on our list, but this homemade scratch art will keep elementary-aged kids busy (at least a bit!), as they'll be creating a coloring page of their own. Head over to Hello Wonderful for the instructions.

Space-Themed Birthday Coloring Page

Blast off to the moon with a space-themed birthday coloring page. This rocket doubles as a placemat and is just right for kids who dream of Mars and freeze-dried ice cream. Find your own at Jessie and Jade.

Dot-to-Dot Ice Cream Birthday Worksheet

This dot-to-dot ice cream cone adds a little extra challenge—instead of following numbers, kids follow the alphabet from start to finish. After that, birthday guests can color in their favorite flavor. Download and print your own at Super Coloring.

11 (Free!) Birthday Coloring Pages for Toddlers

by Oz SpiesJuly 13, 2023

We’ve got “Paw Patrol,” unicorns, dinosaurs, trucks and more!

It’s easy to make your toddler’s birthday celebration extra special with free printable coloring pages. We’ve gathered up birthday coloring pages featuring toddlers’ favorite things (Think dinosaurs and unicorns!). These free printables are perfect as placemats, and you can also print them on card stock and pair them with new crayons as an affordable take-home party favor for your kiddo’s buddies.

Birthday Cupcake

What could be better than a delicious birthday cupcake? We love this sprinkle-covered cupcake from Super Coloring pages that's ready for coloring and looks good enough to eat. This free birthday printable coloring page is a simple classic; to download a yummy cupcake or two, head over to Super Coloring.

"Paw Patrol" Coloring Pages

Everybody's favorite rescue pups are ready for action on these free printable Paw Patrol birthday coloring pages. We love the badges that feature each of the Paw Patrol pups because once decorated they become wearable badges with a little tape. Find the Paw Patrol coloring badges and other birthday printables here.

A Birthday Bulldozer

This bulldozer coloring page is perfect for toddlers who wear their hard hats to breakfast and can tell an excavator from a cement mixer. Drive on down to Super Coloring to find all the construction vehicle coloring pages you need for your little one's birthday, including this big bulldozer.

A Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday

Eric Carle's beloved ravenous caterpillar climbs on the candles atop the cake on this birthday-ready coloring page. We love that this coloring page's simple illustration features one of our favorite picture book characters. You can find this and more The Very Hungry Caterpillar coloring pages on Read Brightly. Pair this free printable with a copy of Happy Birthday from the Very Hungry Caterpillar for a celebration that will make your favorite two-year-old smile.

DInomite!

These dinosaur birthday coloring pages feature a party-ready T-Rex and a festive stegosaurus. Though these are printable puzzles, when printed in black and white, dino-loving kids can color them before you cut them into strips to make number puzzles. Download five different puzzles at Craft Play Learn.

An Elephant for Your Birthday

If your toddler's favorite activity is a visit to the zoo, then we have the perfect birthday coloring page for you. This festive elephant wishes your little one a happy birthday with a trunk full of balloons. You can find this free coloring page at Super Coloring.

A Friendly Farm

Whether you're taking a birthday trip to a petting zoo or waving at cows from the car, animal-loving toddlers will adore this farm birthday coloring page. We love that it doubles as a placemat and party decoration, too! Find all the cows and sheep your toddler needs at Jessie + Jade.

Magical Birthday Unicorn

Lovers of all things magical will leap for this adorable unicorn birthday coloring page. Featuring a friendly unicorn, this page is ready to print and drench in glitter. Fly over to Super Coloring to print out your copy.

Birthday Favorites

Add a memorable element to birthday coloring with a birthday questionnaire. We love this free printable that gives you an easy way to capture your little one's favorite food, color and toy, year after year. Print out a copy and, while you quiz your toddler, give them a blank piece of paper and crayons to make a self-portrait that you can put in their memory box alongside the filled-out form.

Rainbow Bright

A rainbow coloring page will keep away dark clouds on your toddler's birthday. We love the simplicity of the extra-large rainbow featured on this birthday coloring page that can be decorated with watercolors, crayons or markers. Download and print a dozen rainbows at What Mommy Does.

Wild Birthday

Wild Kratts lovers will roar for an animal-themed birthday certificate. We love that you can turn this into a birthday morning placemat or a special surprise sign on the birthday kid's door. Printing it in black and white gives kids a chance to add in their favorite colors. Head over to PBS Kids to download and print a free birthday certificate to celebrate your animal fanatic.

22 Farm Games & Farm Activities for Kids

by Abigail MatsumotoJuly 11, 2023

Whether your kid has Old MacDonald aspirations or wants a big red barn to call her own, a farm-theme party could be just what the tractor ordered. To get you started, we’ve harvested the very best farm games to enjoy pre- or post-birthday cake. These farm games, crafts, farm activities for preschoolers, and pretend play projects are perfect for a farm birthday party.

If you need more birthday party ideas, check out our favorite outdoor birthday party ideas, 2024’s most popular birthday party themes, and the best birthday desserts that aren’t cake.

Our Favorite Farm Games and Farm Activities for Preschoolers

1. Chickapig

This adorable award-winning game is perfect for older siblings or friends at a farm-themed party. The chicken-pig hybrids attempt to reach their goals while maneuvering around hay bales, cows, and more!

Buy it here, $19

2. Cowboy Hat Ring Toss

little boy in a cowboy hat playing farm games — Shutterstock

Gather 'yer cowpokes for a fun ring toss with a farm-themed angle. Put two or three hula hoops on the ground and line your party guest up behind them. Give the person at the front of the line a cowboy hat and have her attempt to land the hat in each of the hoops. Whoever gets their hat in the most rings wins!

3. Farmer, May I

Along the same lines as Mother, May I, the farmer will call out big steps, little steps, duck waddles, or bunny hops. Each player then has to ask "Farmer, may I?" in order to move forward. If players forget to ask, they're sent to the starting line. The first player to reach the farmer becomes the new farmer!

4. Bob for Apples

bobbing for apples is a fun farm game for kids — iStock

A classic game that includes fall's favorite orchard fruit, bobbing for apples is something even the tiniest farmer can try. Fill a bucket full of water, drop in the apples and let loose your hungry party people! You can opt to see who gets the apple first for a prize or just let the kids have fun.

5. Duck, Duck, Goose!

Duck, duck, goose is good farm game for a kids' birthday party — iStock

This classic game is perfect for a farm-themed party. Set the kids in a circle, and have one start by placing her hand on top of each player, saying "Duck, duck, duck," and when she's ready, say "Goose!" The person whose head she touched will get up and chase her. If she makes it back to the empty spot, she's safe. If not, she's in the mush pot. Continue on. See our other favorite classic birthday games by clicking here.

6. Snorting Contest

little girl making a pig nose while playing a farm game — iStock

Gather all your guests and have each one take a turn making their best pig snort. Then, the panel of judges (mom and dad!) can hand out awards in all sorts of different categories: silliest snort, loudest snort, sweetest snort, funniest snort, loudest, least like a pig, and more.

7. Read Farm Books

reading farm books is a fun idea for a farm-themed birthday party — iStock

There are dozens of fun farm-themed books for kids that you can choose to read to your guest. We love Margaret Wise Brown's classic Big Red Barn and Little Red Hen.

8. Animal Round-Up

boys playing farm games for kids — iStock

Here's where all those plastic farm animals you're constantly stepping over will come in handy. Spread hay on an old sheet, in a wagon, or even in the yard. Give each party guest a container and tell them the farm stock has gotten out and needs to be "corralled." Then let them sort, search and gather to their heart's content.

9. Milk the Cow

You could say this idea from Cupcake Wishes & Birthday Dreams is udderly unique. All you need to teach the littles how to milk a cow is cardboard, some bovine-drawing skills, and a latex glove.

10. Construct a Tractor

Who knew getting a kid-sized John Deere was as easy as hoarding cardboard? We love the creativity of this idea from The Party Wall—and that you can turn this into a group art project for the whole barnyard gang.

11. Make Your Own Small Farm World

a farm sensory bin is a fun farm game for birthday parties — Crayon Box Chronicles

Have cereal boxes and popsicle sticks stashed away somewhere? Good, because Crayon Box Chronicles is ready to tell you how to use them to create a farm world that's just the right size for curious kids. It's the perfect entertainment for sensory and imaginative play.

12. Cow Ring Toss

cow ring toss is a fun farm game for a birthday party — Adventures in Craftiness

It's easy to customize the classic ring toss game for a farm-themed affair. Made with soda bottles and felt (which you can opt to glue instead of sewing), this is a great activity for small spaces and younger kids. See more at Adventures in Craftiness.

13. Paint Filled Egg Art

If you're okay with the party getting messy, consider making a few paint-filled eggs. Just fill up eggshells with paint and let 'em fly, or buy canvases and let the kids create splatter art. Get the full instructions over at Vanessa Crafts.

14. Simple Sheep Craft

A sheep craft, a fun farm game — No Time for Flashcards

How cute is this little sheep craft from No Time for Flash Cards? There's no sheering involved with this farm art—just glue, cotton balls, markers, paper, and imagination.

15. Pin the Tail on the Pig

Pin the Tail on the Pig is a fun farm game — Amazon

Swap out your donkey for a pig, a horse, a sheep, or any other farm animal to bring a fun twist to this classic birthday game. We especially like the idea of making it a Minecraft-themed game.

Buy the game at Amazon, $16.

16. Farm Animal Game with Free Printable

The preschooler crowd will have a blast with this DIY farm animal game from Life Over C's. It's educational, customizable, and even comes with a free printable.

17. Farmers Market Stand

It's another clever cardboard idea, this time from ikat bag. If you've ever visited your local farmers market with your family, you've probably talked about where all the delicious food comes from. For a farm party full of imagination, why not build your own market stand and watch the pretend play unfold?

18. Tractor Pull

Tractors on your mark, get set, go! When it comes to a farm-themed extravaganza, here's how to add a little something for the little speedster in your life. Just think of it as racing, tractor-style. Head to Life with the Clines for more.

19. Harvest Game

Thanks to The Little Sewing Shop, there's an easy and fun way to let your little farmers use up some energy. The idea is to run around and gather scattered eggs, veggies, and fruit (bonus points if you already have toy food!) and then sort them into baskets.

20. Pig Painting

Set out enough materials so each kid can paint their own pig! It's very easy, and you probably already have everything you need. We love the easy tutorial from Oh Creative Day.

21. Wheelbarrow Races

kids having a wheelbarrow race, which is a fun farm game — iStock

Divide your guests into two groups. Then, have one person be the "wheelbarrow" while another teammate "drives" the wheelbarrow across the finish line. The first team to get all their "wheelbarrows" across the finish line wins this fun farm game!

22. Weaving Craft

Weaving can be fun for older kids, and we love this simple weaving party kit spotted over at The Creativity Patch. Not only will it keep your guests busy, but they'll be able to take home their work as well!

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18 Pool Party Ideas to Help You Throw an Epic Bash

by Shahrzad WarkentinJuly 7, 2023

Our list of creative decor, festive snacks, activities, and more will basically do the planning for you (you’re welcome!)

What’s better than swimming with friends in the summer? Throwing an epic pool party for your friends! This summer, get ready to make a splash. We’ve got the scoop on the most incredible pool party ideas on the block, from the best swimming pool games (move over, Marco Polo) to fun food ideas and unforgettable favors. So grab the sunscreen, stock up on chic cover-ups, and don’t forget the summer charcuterie board!

Pool Party Decor Ideas

Set the mood and let your party-goers know how big of a splash they’re in for with bright colors and festive accents. From beach balls to pool noodles, here’s how to make your pool party look picture-perfect.

Tissue Paper Pineapple Poufs

Add a pop of color to your decor with this fabulous idea from Frog Prince Paperie. Bright yellow poufs are transformed into cute pineapples—just the thing to give your party a tropical, island-inspired vibe.

Colors That Pop

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Summer is all about bright candy colors. You can easily (and affordably) add lots of color with nothing more than plastic dollar-store tablecloths the pool party spotted at Spaceships and Laser Beams. Cover your food table with one and then drape the second tablecloth on the wall for a fun backdrop.

Inflatables

From flamingoes to donuts, pool inflatables come in all kinds of fun shapes and sizes. They can add a splash of color to the main attraction—your pool—and smaller ones can serve as DIY ice chests or just whimsical table decor.

Food Ideas for a Pool Party

You’ll want to offer plenty of snacks and treats to keep your guests energized. Check out all the cute and clever ways to keep them fueled up below.

Mermaid Jello

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Your kids will love this beachy jello recipe! You can customize it with whatever toppings you’d like.

Watermelon Pizza

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If the kids are asking for pizza, but it’s not time for dinner, this is the perfect snack! You can use cream cheese icing or yogurt as the topping.

On-the-Go Desserts

Let's face it, a party with store-bought goodies is still a great party. If you're short on time, consider buying something from your local grocer and calling it a day. From dairy-free offerings to chocolate waffles, you can run the gamut from totally unique to classic with a healthy twist—depending on your party theme.

Fish Food Snack Mix

Kids can fuel up as they play the afternoon away with this genius snack mix from Mama Cheaps. With some “fishy” ingredients mixed in, it’s perfectly on theme.

Watermelon Shark

How cute is this edible idea from Inspirational Mama?! It’ll look amazing as the centerpiece of your party, and kids are sure to gobble up all the fruit.

Snow Cone Cupcakes

Can’t decide between serving cake or ice cream? These adorable Snow Cone Cupcakes from Mimi’s Dollhouse are the perfect compromise. They look refreshingly delicious, but you won’t have to worry about them melting in the heat.

Tasty Popsicles

Cool the kids down without any added sugar with these refreshing Honey Strawberry Lemonade popsicles. For more delicious flavors check out our astounding list of 22 drool-worthy popsicles that are healthy, fresh, and downright perfect for beating the summer heat.

Mermaid Tails

Pretzels plus colorful chocolate equals adorable mermaid tails! Perfect for an after-school snack or a mer-themed party, these easy-to-make tails use melting chocolates, sprinkles, and simple pretzel rods, but look like a million bucks. Get the easy recipe from Ever After in the Woods.

Pool Party Activities

There’s more to water play than splashing and swimming laps. Whether your kids can swim in the deep end or like to use pool floats in the shallow end of the (wading) pool, here are some fun games that’ll have them hopping with excitement.

Water Balloon Piñata

Skip the candy and let the party piñata sprinkle your guests with water instead. Hang overfilled water balloons in a tree or play structure and stand back while they take turns swinging a plastic bat or paper tube to see how many they can burst. Check out more fun water games.

Classic Pool Party Games

You don’t have to spend a lot of time or money on planning some awesome activities for your guests. Keep them entertained and splashing with something as simple as a cannonball competition or a good old-fashioned game of Marco Polo. Check out more classic water games here.

Sponge Ball Toss

Move aside water balloons, there’s a new wet and wild game that’ll last much longer! Follow Crazy Adventures in Parenting to learn how to make these squishy, fun-soaked sponge bombs.

Party Favors Perfect for a Pool Party

Your guests will be having so much fun they might not want to leave, but you can keep the party going with a fun memento from the day. Check out these awesome party favors that your guests will love and appreciate both during the party and long after it’s over.

Cool Shades

Protect those big eyes from the bright summer glare. Kids from Miss Prim and Me’s pool party got to choose from a chromatic display of super cool shades.

Starfish Headbands

Pool hair? No one will care when you outfit your water-loving guests with these starfish headbands from sandsurfcreations.

Beach Ball Party Invite

Forget the usual paper party invites and give your guests something that will really get them excited about your bash with these Beach Ball Invites from The Bubbly Hostess. It’s like an invite and pre-party favor all in one! Grab a set of 6 beach balls here.

Sunscreen Station

It might not be super exciting for your young pool partygoers, but parents will definitely appreciate this favor. Put out all kinds of toddler-friendly sunscreen that your guests can use at the party and even take home. SPF 50 for the face and a spray-on one that’s waterproof? Check, check! And look at the extra flair Entertain with Jordan gave to her station!