It’s officially Halloween. I’m embracing all the spooky tricks and treats this season, especially the fun decor. While it’s hard to not overindulge the kids (and yourself) in all the Halloween festivities, that doesn’t mean you can’t get into the spooky season. Consider this: Americans buy 600 million pounds of candy on Halloween. Yup! You read that right, and when you break that down, it’s 24 lbs of candy per American per year. How about that for a major sugar high!
Tuck the candy away because I’m whipping up some fun, kid-centered, BOO-licious, snack-tactic crafts and treats sure to trick your kids into enjoying these yummy (and healthy) treats.
Ok, it’s true: The kiddos still love a great big old bag of trick or treat candy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fill your countertops and their bellies with my favorite treats:
- Banana Ghosts
- Clementine Orange Pumpkins
- Pretzel and Cheese Broomsticks
These spooky little creations are fun to make, and I think it’s safe to say our food crafting skills keep improving each year we make these treats.
Not only do my kiddos love to eat these, but they also love that they can do this easily on their own, no matter the age. So just in time for school and church Halloween parties, here is our family’s simple how-to.
- Clementine Pumpkins: You’ll need clementine or mandarin oranges and celery. Simply peel the oranges and cut up the celery into small matchsticks. Place a stick of celery into the middle of each orange, and you’ve made a pumpkin for your pumpkins!
- Banana Ghosts: You’ll need bananas, mini chocolate chips, and regular chocolate chips. Cut the bananas into thirds. Use the mini chips to create the eyes and the regular-sized chocolate chips for the ghosts’ mouths. This was easily the kids’ fave to make! Anything involving chocolate is a win in their book.
- Pretzel ‘n Cheese Broomsticks: You’ll need pretzels and string cheese (the firmer the better to avoid the cheese falling apart). Cut the sticks of cheese into thirds. Peel most of the stick open to create the broom, then stick the pretzel on the other end of the broom to make the broomstick.
Get your kiddos, get your fruits, get your crafting skills, and get making these mom-AND-kid-approved Halloween sweet treats.
xo,
Heidi
Related reading:
Does the Powell Pack Eat Halloween Candy?
Halloween Candy Workout: Family Style!
Powell Pack DIY Halloween Craft
Halloween Hangover
Kids Halloween Craft: Monster Masks!
*Originally posted October 21, 2016*
29 Responses
Heidi, I use a marker and draw on the skin of the ? banana! No chocolate involved!! Lol I’m taking the fun out of it eh?
(Leaving the comment for the stroller but also so you know that I read even though I never comment ?)
Hi Heidi ! I’m commenting on this blog because I love it but also because I’m participating in your stroller contest. Thank you for the great ideas for healthy kid friendly snacks. The more I’ve been working on my health the more I’ve learnt that my daughter will eat what she’s given as long as I am consistent in offering healthy yummy snacks.
Commenting per the stroller contest rules. 🙂
That doesn’t mean I don’t read the blogs, I just never comment.
Halloween Is in two days and we are JUST NOW getting out some decorations. I admit it is partially due to the guilt I felt when my grandchildren asked me when we were going to decorate. I’m so lucky that they live next door to me. Seeing the smiles on their faces will be totally worth it!
Tomorrow I’m making ghost bananas and clementine pumpkins for them. Thanks for the ideas!
This was a lifesaver as I was looking for something quick and easy and also healthy (not just a bag of candy) to bring to a kids halloween/birthday party!
Made the banana ghosts for my sons preschool Fall festivals and all the kids loved them!
What cute ideas! I’m going to have to try them this weekend. I’m sure my kids will eat them up!
Awesome I dead that I will be using at my daycare Halloween party in Monday!! Glad I picked this entry to read for a chance at that amazing stroller giveaway!!!! ?
This is a prefect idea. My son has discovered that he likes bananas. (He loves them as a baby). I can’t wait to make this for him.
Such cute ideas! I am all for making healthy foods “cool” to eat by making them spooky and fun!