A Last-Minute Toddler Halloween Party

Party goal: Throw an impromptu Halloween party for a 2-and-a-half-year-old and his friends.

Party Menu:
*Jack-o-lantern grilled cheese sandwiches (rye bread, cheddar cheese, butter)
*Sliced apples
*Guests brought juice, pretzels, Witch's brooms (straight pretzels, fruit Roll-ups cut like bristles on broom), etc.
*Pudding-topped Halloween cupcakes

Party Schedule:
1. Icebreakers--hat box and giant mirror; Halloween memory game laid out; crayons and colorful paper on child-sized table.
2. "Ring around the Pumpkin"
3. Look for hidden candy treasure
4. Halloween rhymes and fingerplays
5. Lunch/snacks
6. Wrap dolls and stuffed animals as mummies
7. Halloween sticker (party favor)

Decorations: All Halloween decorations already out, orange and yellow balloons on ceiling, plastic bugs on table and bookshelves, have little guests wear their costumes.

Party planning thoughts:
*Only 24 hours to notify guests and get RSVPs-->decide how many guests would need to say yes in order not to cancel.

*Waiting for guests to arrive can be awkward, plus 2-year-olds need time to warm-up to new situations-->offer icebreaker activities kids can do with their moms as they come in.

*2-year-olds do not usually play well together but they do like to do the same things at the same time-->make sure activities can be done at the same time with their own materials.

*Shopping and preparation time is limited-->use food and materials already on hand, focus on the party quickly by removing toys from the main room or covering up bookshelves, TVS, etc. with blankets; invite guests to bring a snack item to share.

Trying on hats

Eating jack-o-lantern sandwiches, apples, and cupcakes

Wrapping dolls as mummies

Wearing costumes!