This hearty pumpkin soup recipe takes advantage of a key fresh ingredient this time of year: pumpkin!

Nothing goes with all those cozy sweaters and falling leaves like a hearty pumpkin soup recipe. This is the best time of year to make a batch from scratch since you can use the abundance of fresh pumpkins in the supermarket or use up your Halloween decorations to create it. Add a nice hunk of bread and a salad on the side, or top with fresh asparagus and potatoes, and you have a warm and balanced meal to usher in the season.

Pumpkin Soup Recipe Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 pound pumpkin, peeled, seeded, cut into 1-inch cubes

3 cups chicken stock

1 tablespoon tomato paste

1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Optional: asparagus (lightly steamed) and/or diced potatoes (steamed or roasted)

Method:

1. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until translucent, 3 to 4 minutes, stirring.

2. Add pumpkin and cook 3 minutes, until lightly softened.

3. Add stock and paste and stir to mix. Bring to a boil over high heat, lower to a simmer, and cover. Cook 20 minutes, until the pumpkin is very tender.

4. Transfer to a food processor and puree until smooth. Add cheese, salt, and pepper; mix and serve warm.

5. If serving with asparagus, lightly steam and add two or three spears diced to add a punch of color.

Recipe adapted from pumpkinrecipes.org

Get out that gauze and get ready to recreate a few of these mummy craft projects that are just the right amount of creepy.

Pumpkin carving might not be so easy (unless you have these pro templates) but these mummy crafts are actually very simple to pull off. Spend an afternoon with the kids and make a festive decoration that will last for Halloweens to come. If you’re looking for other Halloween crafts for kids, we’ve got those too!

Moving Eyes Mummy Craft

How cute is this idea? Even the big kids might get in on the fun with this Halloween craft. Get the details over at Kids Craft Room.

Glowing Nose Mummy Craft

This is a lot easier than it looks, and the kids will love to watch these mummies light up after dark! Get the tutorial over at Non-Toy Gift Ideas.

Toilet Paper Roll Mummy

Even if you don’t “do” crafts, you can still do this. Save a few rolls, buy string and googly eyes, and get to work. You can paint them, or not, it’s up to you and your kids.

Masking Tape Mummy

Masking Tape Mummy Craft
Somewhat Simple via Eighteen25

We love this sweet and simple masking tape and construction paper mummy craft by Eighteen25 that's perfect for preschoolers who are still honing their fine motor skills. And if you want to extend the playtime after the mummy's made, just add a popsicle stick to the back, and voila! You've got yourself a puppet!

Bendable Mummy Figures

a bendable mummy craft
Family Chic from Camilla Fabbri

Your kids will love bending these DIY mummy figures to fit their needs. Who knows? You may just find a chain of them dangling from the chandelier, your rearview mirror, or even the showerhead. Check out Family Chic for inspiration and how-to.

Wood Block Mummies

Mummy Craft
Craftaholics Anonymous

Yes, there is a possible trip to the hardware store for this one, but your reward will be an adorable DIY decoration that you'll pull out every Halloween for years to come. We love this tutorial by Craftaholics Anonymous. Can't stomach the thought of loading up a carload of kids and navigating the lumber yard? Try substituting cereal boxes for a temporary decoration, instead.

Pumpkin Mummies

Hands on As We Grow

Hands On As We Grow has an idea for the friendliest little mummy pumpkin you'll ever meet, and you can get the step-by-step here. Googly eyes and no-mess cuteness? Yes, please!

 

 

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

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

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

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

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.

Related: Cackle Like a Witch at These Printable Halloween Jokes

5. Bunny Pumpkin

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

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

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

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.

Related: 27 Not Too Spooky Songs for Your Halloween Playlist

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.

Related: 23 Last-Minute Costumes You Can Totally Pull Off

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

Fun at Home with Kids

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

Mamma.Pappa.Bubba

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. 

Related: 12 Halloween Minute-to-Win-It Games For Kids

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.

 

 

 

You’ll want to make this yummy snack all year

Pumpkin bread that’s moist, flavorful, and easy to make? Yep, it’s true! This easy pumpkin bread recipe is perfect for the festive holiday season, especially when your time is limited since there is very little prep time or dirty dishes involved. Try making the pumpkin bread in a regular loaf pan, or if you’re looking for a unique present, bake the bread in a coffee tin or in old soup cans. Then wrap it up with cellophane or tissue paper and you’ve got yourself a great (and delicious) gift.

Easy Pumpkin Bread Recipe Ingredients: 

1 (15 ounce) can of pumpkin puree
4 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2/3 cup water
3 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon ground ginger

**this recipe will yield three 7″ x 3″ loaf pans. We suggest cutting the recipe in half if you don’t want that large of a portion. If you do cut the recipe in half, it will make one regular loaf.

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour three 7×3 inch loaf pans.

2. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, water, and sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Pour into the prepared pans.

3. Bake for about 50 minutes in the preheated oven. Loaves are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com

You can stash a lot of candy back there

You’ve landed on your pumpkin carving design, bookmarked the easy Halloween treats you’ll whip up, and stocked the kids’ shelves with the appropriate Halloween books. All that’s left is deciding if you’re doing a Trunk or Treat instead of going door to door this year. If you do opt to go the Trunk or Treat route, you’re going to want to stand out with one of the best themes around. Whether you’ve got time to be crafty or you’re scrambling to decorate your car at the last minute, we’ve got the best trunk-or-treat ideas from super simple to frightfully fantastic. Feeling extra inspired? Entertain your pint-sized visitors with some cackle-inducing Halloween jokes and kid-friendly ghost stories.

Click here and save this list for years to come on Pinterest.

Willy Wonka’s Factory

Nobody knows candy like Willy Wonka, and with the new prequel about the candymaker’s life coming out this year, this Golden Ticket-themed trunk-or-treat is perfect for a sweet set up.

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown Trunk-or-Treat

Peanuts for peanuts! This trunk-or-treat idea uses dollar store props and well-crafted cutouts to create a low-budget Halloween scene—Linus sitting in wait for the Great Pumpkin. This clever Charlie Brown comic strip scene used plastic pumpkins, burlap to line the trunk, some fall fabric placemats and faux leaves plus a poster board Linus and a welcome sign. Head to Lynlee’s for all the details.

Disney-Themed Trunk-or-Treat Idea

Everyone loves Disney-themed trunk-or-treat ideas! This fun Peter Pan version has us looking for our pixie dust.

Happy Camper

If you like to camp, then this trunk-or-treat idea will be a breeze to set up. The bonfire is especially cute!

Dead of the Dead

Day of the Dead trunk-or-treat ideas
Deonna Wade

How colorful is this Day of the Dead trunk-or-treat theme? With a few paper garlands, blankets, pumpkins, and a sugar skull or two, you can easily pull this off. Get all the details over at Deonna Wade

Party City Trunk-or-Treat Kits

Nightmare Before Christmas trunk or treat idea from party city
Party City

If you want to go big but want to find all the supplies in one spot, check out Party City's Themed Trunk or Treat Kits. You'll find The Nightmare Before Christmas, Super Mario Bros., and classic Halloween kits, and they all include balloons, serving bowls, streamers, and more!

Related: DIY Halloween Decorations to Deck Your Haunted Halls

Practically Perfect in Every Way

trunk-or-treat ideas
An Alli Event

We love this detailed Mary Poppins trunk-or-treat idea, spotted over at An Alli Event. The faux fireplace adds the perfect chimney sweep touch, and with costumes like these and a few props, you too will be ready for any event. A spoonful of sugar optional!

Harry Potter Trunk or Treat Theme

Harry Potter is always a favorite trunk-or-treat theme, and this incredible set up will inspire you for your own this Halloween. If your kids are fans, borrow all their dress-up accessories and then collect other tidbits to make a magical setting.

Gumball Machine

An Alli Event

This DIY gumball machine trunk or treat idea is one we can chew on. We love that it coordinates with an easy apron costume and that it doesn't take much more than fabric, paper, and puff balls. Take a closer look here.

Spooky Graveyard

a graveyard is an easy trunk or treat idea
Gabby Cullen

If you love Halloween decorations, just use what you already own to create a spooky graveyard! Tombstones, giant spiders, candles, skulls, and cobwebs. Go bigger with a full skeleton or a fog machine. 

Related: 53 Halloween Jokes for Kids That Are More Silly Than Scary

Minions

trunk-or-treat ideas
An Alli Event

Here's one of those easy trunk-or-treat ideas that will pop! Fill the car with yellow helium balloons accessorized as minions, and you'll be all set with a despicable display. You could also use blue balloons for an aquatic bubbly underwater scene or multicolored ones as gumballs.

Bat Cave

trunk-or-treat ideas
Tikiddo

A cave is the perfect Halloween backdrop whether you're a monster, ghoul, or bat. The stalagmites and stalactites for this bat cavern are made from styrofoam attached to the open trunk with paper bats hung on a string or attached with toothpicks into the foam. Head to Tikkido for the details.

Cookie Monster

For the Love of Felt

A great Cookie Monster trunk-or-treat theme just requires the right color blue. This version from Love of Felt uses a wooden frame, a black fabric mouth, brown felt cookies, and poster board eyes. You can also have the open trunk as the mouth, blue fabric stretched in place, styrofoam balls for eyes, and cookies made out of cardboard.

Make sure to capture all the spooky 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.

All the products listed are independently & personally selected by our editors.

If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation. Prices and availability reflect the time of publication.

All images courtesy of retailers.

Check out these spooky Halloween minute to win it games that all the kiddos will love!

Halloween is right around the corner, and if you’re looking for fun Halloween games to make the holiday extra spooky, these minute-to-win-it ideas are exactly what you’re after. Whether you’re staying in this year or going out for trick-or-treating, these party games will keep your kids entertained for hours. While you’re at it, make the night extra special with some fun Halloween jokes, kid-friendly ghost stories, easy Halloween treats, and awesome Halloween crafts.

What’s a minute to win it game?

Simply put, it’s a 60-second game using items typically found around the house. Participants attempt to see who can finish a challenge first or who can complete a task the most times in under a minute. You can try these holiday minute to win it games when Halloween is over or attempt some year-round minute to win it favorites!

Halloween minute to win it games
Denny Müller via Unsplash

1. Candy Face

Take their favorite piece of Halloween candy (that isn’t too messy, of course) and place it on your child’s forehead. They’ll need to use their facial muscles to move it down their face into their mouth without using their hands.

2. Pumpkin Balance

This involves two players balancing mini pumpkins on their heads and racing to a certain point without dropping the pumpkin. You can make it tougher by making it a running race!

3. Donut Race

Slide a donut on a string and see who can eat it off the string the fastest. What a delicious game to play!

4. Candy Balancing

Put the end of a craft stick in your mouth and stack a candy of your choice on top. Whoever stacks the most pieces wins! You can make the game more challenging by choosing a non-flat candy.

Related: 20 Halloween Party Games That Are a Scary Good Time

Halloween minute to win it games
S. Massey

5. Mummify Me

A two-player game that involves wrapping the other player in toilet paper to look like a mummy.

6. Stack 'Em

Using apples, gourds, or mini pumpkins with the stems cut off, little ones have one minute to stack five apples or pumpkins (or three for younger kids) on top of each other and get them to stay for three seconds.

7. Candy Toss

Have two players take turns tossing their favorite candy (wrapped or unwrapped) into a bowl or cauldron. Whoever gets the most pieces into the cauldron in a minute wins.

8. M&M Switch

Each player will need two plates; one filled with M&Ms and one empty. Players use a straw to suck up each M&M and drop it onto the other plate. Whoever gets the most M&Ms onto the other plate wins!

Related: 33 Minute to Win It Games Perfect for Family Time

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGkxMFQFHH3/?hidecaption=true

9. Halloween Bowling

Make ghost or mummy Halloween pins out of toilet paper rolls or white/clear plastic cups. Use a mini pumpkin or a regular-sized pumpkin (real or fake) as your bowling ball and get rolling. 

10. Witch's Hat Ring Toss

Connect glow sticks or fuzzy craft sticks into rings. Each player takes turns tossing their rings onto the witch's hat, and whoever gets the most rings onto the hat wins (You can also use a pumpkin stem to catch the rings.)!

11. Candy Unwrapping

Have your contestants take a wrapped piece of candy (choose a difficult one for a challenge) and have them unwrap it one-handed.

12. Dig for Creepy Crawlies

Crumble up your favorite cookie (that resembles dirt) and fill a bowl or bucket. Hide plastic creepy crawlies inside the dirt and have the players dig for them with a spoon. Whoever finds the most creepy crawlies wins.

Mary Jane Duford on Unsplash

13. Candy Corn Towers

To play this game, bite the ends off of the pieces of candy corn and stick them on top of each other to create a stack. 

14. Spider Race

Using a straw, blow a plastic spider from one end of the table to your set finish line. Whoever crosses that line first, wins!

 

We’ve got plenty of ideas for you to repurpose all those splendid squash

Wondering what to do with your pumpkins after Halloween has come and gone? While you can’t do much with the ones you carved, any solid pumpkins can be used for all sorts of things like fairy gardens, feeding farm animals, and even making pumpkin bread.

Make a Catapult

Lemon Lime Adventures

We can probably all agree that chucking pumpkins is deeply satisfying. Gather your mini-pumpkins and your minis for a little lesson in physics with a DIY pumpkin catapult, like this one crafted by Lemon Lime Adventures

 

Carve Out a Home

an idea for what to do with pumpkins after halloween is to make a fairy house
Adventure-in-a-Box

There’s no denying the magic of fall. Add to it with a humble pumpkin abode for your favorite fairy garden residents. We love the step-by-step instructions and incredible ingenuity over at Adventure-in-a-Box

 

Make a Batch of Hearty Soup

Jade Aucamp via Unsplash

Chop up that decorative number on your steps for this recipe calling for fresh pumpkin, not canned. Plus, you can adapt it for all kinds of squash including acorn or butternut. Add some dimension by adding freshly steamed asparagus and toasted pumpkin seeds to the top, and you'll have a rich and colorful meal.

Bake a Pie

Kasumi Loffler from Pexels

Cook it down and whip it up: You can skip the store-bought puree this time and use your still-sweet pumpkins for an awesome pie or dessert. We've got 10 amazing recipes here that should do the trick.

 

Make a Planter

17 Apart

Transform those farm-picked pumpkins into outdoor planters to hold colorful fall flowers. Get inspired to try this easy project with your little green thumb at 17 Apart!

 

Create a Centerpiece

Simple Joy

Similar to outdoor planters, uncarved pumpkins can be transformed into centerpieces for your Thanksgiving table. Just slice off the top, scoop out the seeds, and place a vase inside full of fresh or dried flowers. You can even place pots of succulents and other house-dwelling plants, such as orchids and bromeliads, for a tropics-meets-fall vibe. Check out the how-to at Simple Joy

Save the Seeds

Anshu A. via Unsplash

Whether you top them with seasoning salt or go for more exotic combos, a handful of straight-from-the-oven, warm, roasted pumpkin seeds in autumn just feels right. Or skip the culinary creativity and turn pumpkin seeds into a sorting game perfect for those grabby toddler hands. Find out how here.

Bake Some Delicious Pumpkin Bread

wondering what to do with pumpkins after halloween? Make pumpkin bread
iStock

Pumpkin bread isn’t just for fall! With warming spices like cinnamon and ginger, it’s delicious enough to be added to your year-round rotation. Here is our favorite recipe.

Donate

Pumpkin Patch, pumpkins, halloween, fall decorations harvest, fall, fall festival, fall fun, gourd, hay rides, pumpkin farm, scarecrow, autumn
Olivia Kulbida from Pexels

Organizations like Pumpkins for the People encourage you to donate any pumpkins that can be used for food and then compost the rest, keeping the pumpkins out of landfills. Click here to find a place to donate from Nov. 1-22, 2021.

Feed Some Animals

Meekrats eating a pumpkin after Halloween
iStock

Just like your sidekick, animals dig pumpkins too. Bring your leftovers to your local zoo for some animals to munch on (call ahead to see if they take them, first) or donate them to your local CSA farmer. Share the love!

Make a Volcano

Little Bins for Little Hands

Grab your little scientist and a few kitchen basics to turn your leftover pumpkin into a science project that would make your former science teacher proud. To find out how to make this explosively exciting project, visit Little Bins for Little Hands and get pouring.

Plan a Spa Day

Beautylish.com

Gather the troops for a little at-home pamper party. Then whip up an easy-peasy facemask made with pumpkin puree, that’s good enough to eat. The best part? We’re betting you’ll find everything you need to make it in your kitchen cupboards.

 

Compost It

Built by Kids

Give your pumpkin new life by tossing it in the compost bin. Don’t have a bin? No problem. Check out how to make your own with your earth-lovin’ littles at home, using a few materials and simple tools you can find at your local hardware store if they aren’t already in your garage.

Your city may also offer composting services, or check out Scarce

Create a Bird Sanctuary

Hoosier Homemade

Attract fall songbirds to your backyard or balcony, using repurposed pumpkins and a little tool know-how. The folks over at Hoosier Homemade show you and your kidlets how to create a simple birdbath and bird feeder with Cinderella-style. The feathered friends who show up in your yard may not help with the housework, but it’s worth a try!

 

Carve a Pumpkin Boat

Ella Clemente via Unsplash

Repurpose all those cute decorative pumpkins adorning your mantel by turning them into totally floatable pumpkin boats. Then, hit a neighborhood pond or pull out the sand and water table (or even the bathtub!) to set sail with your mini sailor. Land ho!

 

Build a Snowman

Caught in Grace

Even if you don’t have snow on the ground yet, you and your kiddos can plan ahead by recycling this season’s ubiquity into next season’s adorable decoration. To find out how to turn a few petite pumpkins into a frosty snowman, check out Caught in Grace’s creative post. Let it snow!

 

Plant More Pumpkins

Maddy Baker via Unsplash

Think spring (or even next fall) by planning ahead for the next planting season. A handful of seeds saved from your pumpkin innards planted in late spring may save you a trip to the patch next year. Or at least provide some cute at-home photos of your sidekick come fall.

 

Craft Candle Holders

Timothy Eberly via Unsplash

Not just your average jack-o'-lantern, transform gourds, mini-pumpkins, and other unique varieties of pumpkins into stylish candleholders for your turkey day table with a little know-how. Jessi at Practically Functional has the scoop on this simple DIY transformation that goes from drab to fab. 

 

Bring on the Christmas cheer by visiting these festive tree farms near Dallas, where you can find u-cut and pre-cut trees along with warm drinks, cozy service and maybe even a visit from Santa

Whether you are looking to cut your own tree or pick up a pre-cut, a live tree in your home will fill it with the scent of the season and brighten your evenings. There are so many Dallas Christmas tree farms (or farms just outside Dallas) that offer opportunities for both, as well as Santa visits, hot apple cider, and family activities. Fortunately for you, we have all the details. So, put on a coat, fill up your thermos with a hot beverage, and head out to the fields for holiday fun.

1. Yesterland Farm

Come out for a full day of fun at this Christmas tree farm near Dallas. Choose and cut your own or pick out pre-cut varieties like Fraser Fir, White Pine, Black Hills, and Spruce. Don't miss their Christmas Carnival that starts at noon on Nov. 25-27 to get you in the holiday spirit with rides, light decorations, a corn maze, and photo opportunities. Plan your visit accordingly so that you can visit with Santa, ride the amusement park rides, and stop at Animal Town.

Opening Day: Fri., Nov. 25

15410 Interstate 20
Canton, TX
Online: yesterlandfarm.com

2. Sunset Hill Tree Farm

If you are looking for a cut-your-own tree experience, this is the spot for you. The farm has Virginia Pines available for u-cut starting the weekend after Thanksgiving. They also offer pre-cut Fraser Fir trees and will be open every weekend in December until the trees sell out. This location has a cute country store full of holiday decor for your home.

Opening Day:
Fri., Nov. 25

3400 Country Road 206
Alvarado, TX
Online: sunsethilltreefarm.co

3. Mainstay Farm

There are a ton of Christmas activities to be enjoyed at this tree farm about 25 miles south of Fort Worth including visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, hayrides, a tubin' hill, farm animals, mazes, and much more. And they also have live Blue Ice Christmas trees in the field for you to cut, as well as a saw you can use. Plan your visit on weekends after Thanksgiving through Dec. 17.

Opening Day: Fri., Nov. 25

1004 W. Bethesda Rd.
Cleburne, TX
Online: mainstayfarm.com

Related: The Best Christmas Light Displays in Dallas

Related: Things to Do with Kids in Dallas, Texas

4. Angel Path Christmas Tree Farm

Reserve a time to choose and cut the perfect Christmas tree at this farm near Dallas where the kids will love to visit year after year. They only accept cash or checks, so come prepared, and check their Facebook page for updates. This is also a great spot for photos among the trees, but remember to reach out and make an appointment. 

8312 CR 528
Burleson, TX
Online: facebook.com/Angel-Path-Christmas-Tree-Farm

5. Brushy Creek Christmas Trees

Here you can cut your own tree or choose from pre-cut Noble Firs. You may even find the perfect painted Christmas tree for a holiday of a different color. In the past, they've been open the Friday after Thanksgiving until they sell out, but check the website for updates. 

2854 FM 3043
Bowie, TX
Online: brushycreekchristmastrees.com

6. Haynie's Green Acres Farm

Unfortunately, the fields for sawing down your own Christmas tree at this farm near Dallas are closed because of this year's drought, but you can still find pre-cut northern Fraser Firs and their signature colorful flocked firs. Santa will visit from 2 to 4 p.m. Nov. 26 to 27 and Dec. 3 to 4.

Opening Day: Fri., Nov. 25
10405 Shannon Valley Dr.
Crowley, TX
Online: hayniesgreenacres.com

Related: Celebrate the Season at These 11 Dallas Holiday Events

7. Flower Mound Christmas Trees

You may have visited this spot to pick your pumpkin but it transforms into your "Christmas in the Country" tree spot for the holiday. They offer thousands of pre-cut Christmas trees of seven different varieties, both natural and flocked, for you and your family to choose from. Pick from Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, Grand Fir, Noble Fir, and Nordmann Fir. They even have the hard-to-find 16 foot trees for sale. Check their Facebook page for 2022 updates.

Opening Day: Fri., Nov. 25
5100 Cross Timbers Rd.
Flower Mound, TX
Online: flowermoundchristmastrees.com

8. Kadee Tree Farm 

This fun Dallas-area tree farm allows you to choose and cut your own Virginia Pines up to 12 feet. It also has a variety of pre-cut Christmas trees available along with an animal farm for kids, train and hay rides, a play area, and free hot cider. Explore their Walking Trail of Lights for $8 admission.

Opening Day: Fri., Nov. 25
5054 Highway 69 S.
Greenville, TX
Online: kadeefarm.com

9. Patton Christmas Trees

This pre-cut tree lot has a great location since it's right down the street from the Dallas Arboretum. Choose from Noble Fir, Norman Fir, Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, and Fraser Fir trees from 2 to 18 feet tall. They're open daily and also offer flocked trees as well as fresh wreaths and garlands. 

11000 Garland Rd.
Dallas, TX
Onlinepattonchristmastrees.com

10. 4D Farm Weatherford

Just 30 minutes west of Fort Worth, this tree farm offers several native varieties for you to cut down including Arizona Cypress, Leyland Cypress, and Fraser Fir. They'll supply everything you need, from the saw to the tie down string, and will even cut the tree for you, if you like. Pre-cut Christmas trees are also available. When you're done, or while you're waiting, hop on the back of the tractor for a holiday hayride, shop the artisan holiday market or sit back and relax while sipping hot cocoa and eating delicious homemade holiday cookies.

Opening Day: Sat., Nov. 26

3900 Upper Denton R.
Weatherford, TX
Online: 4dfarm.com

This easy DIY monster costume comes together in minutes!

October 31st is coming up fast, and if you want a charming Halloween costume for kids on the quick that you don’t need to worry about getting ruined, then look no further than this DIY Frankenstein costume. If they don’t want to be a monster, check out our other favorite last-minute Halloween costume ideas here.

DIY Frankenstein Costume
Amber Guetebier

Frankenstein Costume Supplies

old pants: anything with blown-out knees, ripped pockets, stains, or just too short, all work

an old shirt, ideally a turtleneck if you want to try to add the bolts. Best in any lighter color, not black or navy blue.

a black Sharpie

Optional: plastic toy bolts; yarn to add stitches

A slightly oversized blazer

For the face paint: green face paint and a black eyeliner

How to Make a Frankenstein Costume

Step 1. Shred It
Just go ahead and cut holes in the pants here and there. If it's cold when you go trick-or-treating, you can always wear an extra layer underneath (green is ideal!).

Step 2. Stitchery
Draw simple stitches on your shirt and a few across the pants. If you want to add some yarn stitches you can do that too.

Step 3. Neck Bolts  

Basic: We used a turtleneck and a pair of plastic kid's bolts from a construction game. You essentially just cut small holes, slide the bolts in (backward), and put the nuts on to hold them in place. You could spray paint them silver if you want (we left ours black). The fabric of the turtleneck kept them from poking the neck or making it uncomfortable.

More advanced: You can also try making bolts using a headband to slide around the neck (this works well for older kids but little ones will probably lose track of this). We love this tutorial which is a little more involved but a bit comfier/less bulky.

Step 4. Face Paint

No need to go overboard with the green paint: you can make it a faint green that's relatively easy to wipe back off. Take black eyeliner and make stitch marks. Avoid putting marks over the eye or too near it as it makes it harder to wipe off later.

Don a blazer for the oh-so-Karloff look. Snowboots look great as clunky shoes, but sneakers will do the trick for your active tots.

Tip: This basic costume can be altered to become a zombie!

 

Apple TV is offering free viewings, no subscription required

Last year, Apple TV+ threw the world a hail Mary when it allowed It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown to be broadcast on PBS in October. This year, the streamer is going a different way to show the special, and it will still be free for non-subscribers!

Back in 2020, Apple bought all the rights to the Peanuts specials, which means that the only place you can catch the beloved classics is on Apple TV+. That is still the case today.

Existing subscribers will happily put It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and the other holiday special on repeat, but what if you don’t want to pay for another subscription just to get your dose of nostalgia? There are several ways you can watch––for free.

Related: The ‘Secret’ Netflix Codes for All the Family Halloween Movies

Apple TV

First, if you’ve never subscribed before you can head over to Apple TV and sign up for a free 7-day trial. There’s no need to wait until Oct. 31 either––It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is already available for viewing.

You can also watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and A Charlie Brown Christmas while you’re enjoying your trial! You will need to enter credit card info however, so set a reminder to cancel after seven days if you don’t want to pay $4.99 a month.

New this year, Apple TV is providing special free windows for non-subscribers to stream! From Oct. 28-31, you can watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown without having to sign up for a subscription.

Free windows will also exist for A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving from Nov. 23-27 and A Charlie Brown Christmas from Dec 22-25.

Related: Boo! Freeform’s ’31 Nights of Halloween’ Schedule Is Hauntingly Good

Courtesy of ABC Television Network

Another way to snag Apple TV+ for free is to take advantage of Best Buy’s three-month offer. Head to bestbuy.com, add the offer to your cart, check out and enjoy 90 days for free!

If you don’t mind shelling out a little dough so you can watch the movie whenever you darn well please, both a DVD and 4K disc version is available on Amazon for just $14.