Half-term halloween fun
Here are a few outdoor activities to keep the kids entertained over half-term.
Walking PACMATs
Make your own halloween costumes: We like the idea of PACMAT ghosts. Drape the blanket over yourselves and walk slowly like zombies for a spooky effect. (The Dartmoor Family PACMAT pictured here is just right for two small ghosts). Perhaps add some glasses or fun accessories. Use your PACMAT storage bag to collect treats, if you’re lucky.
Pack a picnic: Head to the park or on a picnic walk in the woods with your PACMAT. Bring along some easy to carry outdoor games to play while you munch. An after dark, torch lit picnic walk could be exciting.
A few spooky snack ideas:
- Witch's fingers - Carrot sticks with almond slivers for nails
- Ghostly sandwiches - Use cookie cutters to make sandwiches into monster and ghost shapes
- Witch's brew soup - Green pea soup
- Witch's potion smoothies - green fruit blends
- Wormy pasta salad - with a few gummy worms tossed in for a surprise.
Spooky story telling circle: After dark, gather around and take turns telling ghost stories. Perhaps from under your PACMAT with a torch shining up at your face to cast long, spooky shadows.
Like the Tiger & Fox chatterbox, but create your own with a ghostly theme.
- Favourite ghost stories
The tale of the Hheadles horseman, The hound of Dartmoor, The Phantom Coach, the Hairy Hands of Dartmoor. - Haunted places
The Tower of London, Edinburgh Castle, The London Underground. - Famous ghosts
Thee Ghost of Christmas Past, The Headless Horseman, Casper. - Spooky movies
Scooby-doon Zombie Island, The Addams Family, Frankenweenie, Monster House, Hotel Transylvania, Ghoulies, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.
Star gazing adventure: On a clear night, lay out on your PACMAT and look at the stars. You could use a stargazing app to identify constellations together.
DIY obstacle course: Set up an obstacle course using cones, ropes, chairs, empty cardboard boxes and other items. Kids can race against each other or time themselves. And all wearing their halloween ghostly costumes.
Outdoor art projects: Set up an art studio on your PACMAT. Bring out (water based) paints and large paper or cardboard. Let them get creative with nature-inspired art!
Nature trail: Take your Nature Trail PACMAT out, roll a pebble to see which item to go and find. Or just create a list of things to find. Leaves, rocks, Y shaped twig, a cone or flowers. It’s a fun way to explore the outdoors! You can use your PACMAT bag to collect items in. Make a note of what you find, or stick things into a nature trail notebook.
Photo: Dartmoor Family PACMAT