by Gaylene Davis
Through the miracle of modern
technology, this Halloween you can enjoy your candy corn without gaining weight.
Try using the little goodies in some fun kids' activities and games. And
if you work at it hard enough, maybe you'll even burn off a few calories!
And remember, October 30th is national candy corn day. There's no better way to
celebrate than with some fun candy corn games.
Candy Corn Hunts
Little people love hunting games. Hide ten pieces of candy corn in a room
- under the couch, behind the door, on the windowsill. You might need to throw
out a few "getting warmer/colder" clues to help in the process. If you
leave them uncovered, even the smallest hunters will be able to find their
bright colors.
If you want to dress up the idea, put the candy in little cellophane bags and
tie with decorative ribbon. Hide the bags all over - either inside or out
- for a new twist on the Easter egg hunt.
Make a trail of candy corn for children to follow. Lead them through the
woods, or a maze - or through a messy house. Depending on the condition of their
bedrooms, you might use this idea to help your children find their beds!
If you stick a toothpick into the broader end of the candy, you instantly have
an arrow. Use the arrows for clues in your hunt.
Target Practice
Try an update of the old clothespins in a jar game. Have children stand on
a sturdy chair or other safe elevation and drop the pieces down into a canning
jar. A container with a wider opening, or a funnel might be better for
really little participants, while a two liter pop bottle would present a bigger
challenge, when the older kids want to show their stuff. Remember Bozo's Grand
Prize Game? Make your own with several small sand pails.
Use a piece of tape, or just a stick to give contestants a boundary line.
Number the pails, placing them in a row perpendicular to the line, pail number
one being closest. Children stand behind the line and throw candy into each
consecutive bucket. Keep score or issue prizes for hitting each pail.
Rename the game after your favorite Halloween character.
After putting the pieces into a small sealed sandwich bag or similar cellophane
bag, have a "corn bag" toss. Small fabric bags would be ideal due to their
durability. After playing catch, try aiming at a target, or try throwing the
bags into a container. Paint a scarecrow face on the front of a box, and
cut out openings for his eyes, nose, and mouth. Different points
could be awarded for getting the corn bags through these holes.
Other Fun Stuff
On a smooth surface like the dining room table, or the kitchen floor, try some
shufflecorn or "bocce corn". One person acts as the referee, sliding out
the first piece of candy corn. He then marks this piece with a toothpick.
Contestants take turns sliding 4 different pieces as close to the referee's mark
as they can. The referee determines which piece is the closest, awarding
that contestant a point. Play until someone gets ten points. To
eliminate confusion, marking each contestant's candy pieces would be helpful.
If you really don't mind a mess - try candy corn and frosting sculptures.
Obviously, a suitably covered table or other safe surface is recommended.
Thinking about it, maybe this is better as an outdoor project. Prizes
could be awarded for the most extraordinary sculpture, the tallest one, the
neatest one -- or maybe the one that looks most like dad.
String candy corn like popcorn. Not only is the activity fun, but also you
have great decorating material when you are done! Tape several strands in a
doorway, like a 70's-style beaded curtain. String some through a spooky
tree in the yard. Hang it inside like party streamers or use it for
jewelry.
So whether you are trying to avoid the sugar calories, looking for fun Halloween
activities to occupy children excited about the holiday, or trying to find
something to do with all of those left-over candy corns, you can enjoy these
guilt-free pleasures.
Gaylene Davis is an ex-teacher, now a work-at-home mother tending to her two
boys. This article was originally published on
http://www.Candy-Corn.info .