Author: kiddy@admin

Are your children getting enough sleep?

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As adults, we know the importance of sleep and how bad we feel when we don’t get enough of it.  But kids don’t quite get this and are constantly engaged in a battle with their parents to be up later and sleep less. While giving in to them and letting them have the odd late night isn’t going to have a serious impact, consistently not getting enough sleep has been connected with a number of other problems as well as declining results at school.  But are your kids getting enough sleep?

Importance of sleep on education

Everyone needs a different amount of sleep and the activities of the day can also have an effect on this. There are also two types of sleep – NREM and REM.  NREM sleep, or non-rapid eye movement is also called quiet sleep and this is where the energy levels are restored, the body works on any repairs that are needed and the hormones controlling growth and development are sent out into the body. The other type, REM or rapid eye movement sleep is known as active sleep – this is the time when we dream and our brains are active but at the same time, our bodies are immobile with both breathing and heart rates being irregular.

A baby spends around half of their sleep times in each of these states and each sleep time is around 50 minutes long.  By the age of six months, REM sleep accounts for around 30% of the sleep time and by preschool age, this sleep time reaches around 90 minutes at a time.

As a general rule, for the first two months of life, a baby needs anywhere from 10 to 18 hours sleep a night.  From two to twelve months, this levels out to 14-15 hours and between one and three years, this falls to 12-14 hours.  Once they reach three to five years, around 12 hours is about right while in junior school years from five to twelve, 10 or 11 hours will normally suffice.

Sleep becomes even more important when kids reach school age. A good night’s sleep ensures they can pay better attention at school, be more creative and even come up with new ideas in class.  They will be better at solving problems and more sociable with other kids and adults.  They can even fight off illness better.  On the turn side, if they don’t sleep enough, they are liable to forget what they learn, be bad tempered and lack the energy to play games or sports. They won’t have any patience with others and their attention span will suffer.

Tips

One of the big tips for a good night sleep for younger kids is to have a good sleep routine.  This means that kids know what to expect, what is going to happen and when they will be going to sleep.  One example from the Sleep for Kids website is along the lines of:

Have supper, a light snack

Take a bath or shower then put in pyjamas or other sleepwear

Brush teeth

Read a story in a room that is quiet and at a comfortable temperature

Put the child into bed, say goodnight and leave the room

Repeat this routine each night and avoid watching TV or videos just before they go into the routine.  This is shown to make going to sleep more difficult so ensure they do something non-stimulating before bed.

Don’t use bed as a negative, telling them they are going to bed if they don’t do or stop doing something – this makes going to bed a bad thing and will make them want to find ways not to do it.  Also, try to show that everyone in the house is getting ready for bed as kids often want to stay up for fear of missing out on something.  If they think everyone else is getting ready for bed, this can lessen the urge to find ways to stay downstairs and awake.

Stop, Look and Listen

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We are in the era of pedestrian crossings and crossing guards, or the lollipop man or lady as we always knew them. We often teach kids to find these safe spots to cross the road but sometimes can neglect to teach them how to cross the road without these safety features.  Another aspect of road safety for kids that can be literally life-saving involves when they are on their bikes or scooters. Road Safety Week is an annual event held on 23-29th November with the aim of refreshing these crucial matters in all parent’s and kid’s minds.

A major road safety campaign that has been in operation for many years is Think! Through their website, the campaign has a wealth of resources for teachers, kids and parents to help with road safety. These include information depending on the age group of the kids involved for teachers to introduce the topics in the classroom – these are split into under-fives, five to seven and over sevens.

The pupil’s area is separated into the same age groups and has a fun aspect to it. There are five different activities for kids to get involved with categorised as see, hear, read, do and play.  Each has a number of activities within it that can be downloaded to the computer by their parents.  There are stories that parents can read to the younger kids learning them road safety in a run and easy to understand way.  The older kids have worksheets to do on road safety as well as when they are on their bikes.  There is even resources to help them understand why distracting someone driving a car can be so dangerous.

The final section is for parents and groups into 3-5s, 5-7s and the 7 to 11 age group.  Parents can also order from the catalogue with a variety of information to use at home with kids to complement what the schools are teaching on the subject and reinforce it.

Importance of Road Safety

One of the oldest campaigns around road safety aimed at kids is the Green Cross Code.  The code aims to reduce the numbers of kids hurt or killed on the roads, which currently stands at 19 a week across the country.  These are kids under the age of eleven who are seriously hurt or killed and some of these deaths could be stopped by use of the code.

Therefore, parents can do their bit by teaching the green cross code to their kids from the earliest age.  Make it part of the road crossing every time to instil into kids these vital safety measures.  The code highlights aspects such as:

Finding a safe place to cross, using subways, footbridges, islands and different types of crossings if there isn’t a crossing patrol or traffic warden in sight. Otherwise, using a place where they can see in all directions and, just as importantly, can be seen by drivers.  This means no crossing between parked cars or on sharp bends

Stopping at the kerb but not too near the edge to leave a little space to look around and be away from the traffic.

The Stop-Look-Listen message about crossing safety including not to run and to keep watching for all kinds of traffic including bikes and motorcycles

It is also important that adults follow the same code and make sure they set an example for the kids.  No nipping between the cars and dashing out into the road when you are with them as young kids copy what adults do and older kids use it as an excuse to do the same!

Good homework websites

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Before looking at some of the best homework help sites, there are a few tips to remember about homework in general. The first one is to let the kids have something to eat before starting – this might just be a nutritional snack with their main meal scheduled for later, depending on the family schedule.  None of us work at our best when we are hungry.

Make sure there is a quiet place to do the homework away from distractions.  If there are pre-school kids in the house, try to keep them occupied elsewhere.  Ensure all the essentials are on hand such as pens, pencils and that there is a good workspace to use.

Set up a timetable for homework sessions so that kids know when to expect to be doing it. It might be after the evening meal for older kids or you might schedule different ‘slots’ for the different kids if they distract each other. TV is a no-no but some quiet music can help relax them.

Remember to keep in mind the current teaching techniques, rather than those you were taught when you were at school.  By telling them what you know, that can just confuse them and mean they aren’t learning what the school wants them to learn.

Best homework help sites;

BBC Bitesize

The BBC has been making high quality educational programs for generations and their education website, called Bitesize, is equally useful. There are two ways to search for help – by the subject or by the stage the kids are studying at. Once you go into the subject, there is a range of options such as KS1 Maths, 4th level Maths and even Higher Maths. By selecting the stage your child is studying, there is then a range of topics to help them, for example mathematical skills including problem solving and reasoning.

The website also has less formal content such as educational news, school newsletters and news around, a news program for kids. There are interactive games to help them with their studies and plenty of fun stuff to engage them.

BBC Cbeebies

The Cbeebies website works alongside the children’s channel and is filled with educational fun for kids. This includes homework help, interactive challenges and even stories.

Homework Elephant

Homework Elephant has some 5,000 resources available to assist kids in their various homework topics.  These are listed through the subjects they are covered by so are easy to search for a specific category.  They also offer an ‘Agony Elephant’ service where kids can ask questions to an expert on subjects including maths, English, biology and history.  Finally, there is a hints and tips section that covers how to do homework, learning tips and even helping kids cope with worries about their projects.

National Geographic Kids

National Geographic are another massive name in TV shows and their magazine so their Kids section is filled with useful resources of the highest quality.  Subjects covered includes animals, science and nature, history, places as well as games and entertainment resources.  So kids can learn about the countries of the world, the birds and animals that live there and there are fun areas to entertainment them as well as help with the homework.

Channel 4 Learning

Channel 4 Learning is aimed at seven to eleven year olds and covers three main subjects – science, history and geography.  There are plenty of interactive resources to entertain the kids as well as notes for teachers to help out.

School uniforms

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The school uniform idea has been around for a long time and in all those years, there are plenty of kids who hate it and plenty who couldn’t care less.  For parents, there are plenty of pros and cons to consider when asked the question about whether kids should have to wear school uniforms and here we look at both sides of the argument.

Uniforms are good

One of the oldest arguments in favour of uniforms is also an argument against them for some people – the fact that all the kids look the same. But for parents who can’t afford to buy their kids a wardrobe full of designer clothes or wouldn’t even if they could, the uniform is a useful equaliser. Kids can be mean and if there are kids with expensive, designer clothes and those who don’t this can create conflict between the groups in various ways and lead to bullying. Then there are the problems when kids get older and their choice in clothes becomes a little less suitable for school wear.  By wearing a uniform, it is set in stone what they wear and there is no different between one child and another.

That’s not to say that a uniform can’t be personalised because it can. Everyone doesn’t have to look exactly the same, they just have to conform to a set standard. The way they wear the clothes can be different and they can add little personalised finishes. Even elements such as footwear can be slightly different to others, allowing them to express their individuality when they find it.

Expensive clothes and jewellery can even leave kids more liable to be attacked for these items. There are stories from around the world of children being attacked or even killed by other kids or older teenagers because they were wearing an expensive item that could be sold for a good profit. While those expensive trainers may seem a good idea, they could even make your child a target whereas generic school shoes are of interest to no-one.

Wearing a uniform and instilling a sense of pride in their school has been shown to help children learn about being a part of something. Yes, the family is the most important unit and the first one they learn about but being part of something due to attending the school, working with others and having pride in it is an important part of understanding their place in society.

The lack of choice involved in picking out a uniform can save a lot of time on a morning and relieve some of the stress of a hectic household.  Teenagers can spend serious time deciding what to wear and making sure they are happy with their outfits but by wearing a uniform, this choice is greatly removed.  Yes, they will want to do hair, and makeup with girls, add accessories and such but this takes less time than the whole wardrobe decisions.

Staggered summer holidays

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The long summer holiday was invented back in Victorian times. Back then, the children were needed during the summer to help with the parent’s work – most of them worked on the land in farming and keeping animals. During the summer, at the height of the work period, the children would be on holiday from their schooling and around to work on the farm, providing much needed free additional labour.

In modern times, this is rarely the case as only a tiny percentage of the country work in farming and an even smaller amount rely on their kids as farm labourers. Yet we still have a holiday length that came to us from the 19th century way of life.

Gone also are the days where parents went to work and left their kids to get on with it.  Understanding of the things that can go wrong and the dangers in the world mean we simply can’t image leaving a ten-year-old to their own devices all day.

So the question is simple – why do we still have the six weeks’ holidays and why can’t we stagger those weeks across the year?

Do kids benefit from the long break?

One idea touted about to convince us that the summer holiday is a good thing is that kids benefit from the long break. Their young minds can rest and recuperate before facing the challenges of the new school year, fresh and rested.

But this only works if the kids are physically and mentally exhausted from their school year in the first place, which is rare. Added to that is the boredom factor. Sure the kids might enjoy a rest for a few days, maybe a week for teenagers, then the boredom sets in. They are constantly hunting for something to do, something to entertain themselves or are requiring parents to provide this.

In fact, when you consider that England has the lowest rate of literacy and second lowest for numeracy in the developed world, perhaps our kids need more schooling not less. Perhaps that long rest is harming their abilities rather than enhancing them – after all, a skill unused often fades from the mind.

Parents view

Many parents view the six weeks’ holiday with a mixture of anticipation and dread. They love to spend time with their kids, go on holiday or take family day trips. But after a while, they have to return to work unless they are really lucky. Or they have to stagger their holidays between parents so they see little of their other half in order to have someone around at all times for the kids.

One poll, conducted by ITV, showed that over 73% of parents would prefer that schools staggered their holidays as this would make them more affordable. Not only would there be less time to find things for the kids to do, it would also help alleviate another major irritation for parents – the cost of vacations during the school holidays.

If you have ever tried to book a holiday in the last week of June rather than the last week of July, you will know the difference in cost we are talking about. It can range from hundreds to even thousands of pounds, all because everyone knows more people want to go on holiday when the kids are off school. This can often mean holidays are out of price range for families and puts an end to the annual vacation.

Changing ideas

There are already ideas and actions being taken around the country in an attempt to stagger holidays and to break up the six (or seven as it is this year in some parts) weeks holiday.  One example is a motion passed by Cardiff Council that allows schools to consider staggering the summer holiday.  It is going to be investigated by the Children and Young People committee with results to follow.

Schools in the Brighton and Hove City Council area will be having one less week at summer and one more week during the autumn break for the next school year, the council have announced.  In a move aimed at combatting the cost of summer holiday vacations, the schools will have more time off in autumn to allow parents to grab off-peak holidays without needing to remove kids from class.

Barnsley Council have been the first to announce a smaller summer holiday for the next year, reducing it to five weeks.  They too have announced that the extra week will be added to the autumn holiday.  There has been some resistance from teachers who say the longer break is needed for them to ‘recharge their batteries’ and it may affect the quality of teachers willing to work in the council area.

Staggering problems

The biggest concern for parents about staggering school holidays is when they face kids at different schools being on holiday at different times.  An example comes from the West Sussex and Surrey areas where kids can be in junior school in one area and in senior school in another.  As councils look to stagger and change duration of holidays, parents face their kids being off school at different times.  This makes scheduling holidays more difficult, especially when both parents work and need to organise their vacation time.

Generally, parents are in favour of the reduction of the summer holidays by a week or even two. While there are clearly issues for those who have kids in different school districts, the plan to reduce the summer holidays is one that many local councils are considering and even putting into place for the next year.

Pokémon GO

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There’s no getting away from the phenomenon that is Pokémon GO at the moment and it seems to have engulfed adults just as much as kids – if not more so.  Computer game crazes are nothing new, the recent madness for Candy Crush is a perfect example, but this one seems to be generating a few concerns with its location based nature. However, some have raised the point that Pokémon GO and other games may also have benefits for kids that we can miss amid the craze.

The game itself

If you haven’t tried the game yourself yet, here’s the lowdown on what it is all about.  We all remember the Pokémon games, those Japanese anime style cute characters that arrived on the scene in the 1990s?  The new version is quite a bit different and makes use of the very latest augmented reality for players to ‘catch’ the Pokémon in real places around the world.

As one person said not only does it bring out the inner geek in the 20-30 age group, it gets kids out and about.  No more just sitting in front of a TV screen, blasting at aliens or chasing spies, they have to go out around their area and further afield to find these Pokémon characters.

Made by Pokémon Co and nearly one third owned by gaming giant Nintendo, the game has already shot to the top of the list of most used apps and overtaking the likes of WhatsApp, Snapchat and Instagram in terms of user numbers.

Early concerns

As with any craze, there have already been the stories of things going wrong.  One Wyoming teenager found a dead body while questing for an elusive Pokémon while a group of trend-conscious burglars lured people to a location to rob them by tapping in on a Pokestop used by the game.

Some of the stories almost sound funny but there is a worrying undercurrent.  Stories of people having car accidents while playing the game and driving, walking out into moving traffic as they aren’t concentrating and worse.

One of the biggest concerns is that while the game creates a sense of community with other players, this might be exploited by paedophiles and other criminals.  Kids lose their sense of the danger of someone they don’t know when that person is playing the game and this is a big worry to parents, teachers and carers.

Another concern is that kids could be lured to locations as there is a facility on the game to let others know when there is a character to be caught.  Pokémon ‘gyms’ are another phenomenon where children could be drawn in by the game and exposed to dangerous circumstances.

Less serious concerns have been expressed including the use of swearing by older players and the sexual explicit user names that some take.  Even the ability to buy these lures for £1 in the app is worry for parents if parental controls aren’t in place.

The positive potential of Pokémon GO

Despite the initial concerns which tend to surface around any craze or trends, others have been quick to realise the potential plus side of the game. One school in Australia is using the game in the classroom after research showed that the game had a positive effect.

The pupils suffering with autism have been shown to have improved social skills through the use of the game and are more engaged with the rest of their lessons.  The game encourages them to play with other kids in a way they would have been reluctant to do otherwise.

The nature of the augmented reality of the game also works well with the way these children’s brains work.  Those with autism are very visually centred with 90% of their learning coming through what they see.  In a busy classroom, these children can find it difficult to focus and learn but using visual means has a far better result.

Ideas for children’s fun activities that could base around the game include using ‘walking journals’ where children follow a story or a map with the game and can improve a variety of skills including maths as well as boosting their imagination.  Homework could be something like exploring their town with the game and submitted screen shots on a Monday about what they found.

Wider benefits

While computer games as a whole are often seen as the enemy by parents and limitations on time playing is definitely a good idea, there are a surprising number of benefits that any kid can gain from game play.

Basic skills like vision and observation can be boosted by playing games. Children with ‘lazy eyes’ have been shown to improve their vision sitting close to the screen and the general ability to pick up small details and colours is enhanced.

Different games also create interests in subjects, such as history.  Games set in historical period or with historical characters have created an interest in the real topic that can even lead to better exam results.

Abilities learned playing games is increasingly having practical benefits that are recognised by employers and universities.  Playing online games with hundreds of other people encourages team work, communication and an increased ability to think on your feet.  Even surgeons are getting better at their job due to the fine motor skills learning playing games.

Games can help people suffering from a number of conditions.  Post-operative or injury pain is one example where playing a game creates a complete release and allows a relaxation that isn’t possible otherwise.  Patients with MS have been shown to have improved balance after playing certain games, one of the major problems found with the condition.

As well as easing physical conditions, games can help with mental conditions.  Stress relief is top of the list as well as helping suffers with depression to relax and get their mind off their problems for a period of time.  Studies have even show that those with dyslexia can do more after playing games as the constantly changing environment of action games helps them to develop their focus.

So while games should be approached with caution and moderation, there is clearly benefits as well as problems that Pokémon GO and many other game crazes can help.

Trampoline treat!!

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There’s nothing new about trampolines, they have been a favourite pass time for kids going back generations.  But in recent times, there has been a boom in trampoline parks, organised centres with large numbers of trampolines and other features to add to the bouncing.  Parents are taking kids for a wide range of sessions and even for children’s parties but is it just fun or are there real benefits to trampolining?

Basic benefits

Some of the basic benefits of trampolining are great for adults as well as kids.  For starters, there’s the improvement to bones that comes from putting them under a little stress.  Exercise is good for us, we all know that, but some exercise can cause harm as well as good through overstressing joints or bones. Because trampolining is essentially a softer impact than running or some gym activities, it puts good stress on the bones to increase their strength – each impact is the equivalent of twice the force of gravity.

Jumping is fun and also a great way to burn off calories, which might sound like a very adult thing but does apply to children as well.  Child obesity is a big thing that many families are trying to deal with and getting rid of those calories is a great way to work on this.  Trampolining is fun and therefore is a subtle exercise – kids are so busy enjoying themselves that they don’t realise they are exercising!

Heart health is another area that seems very adult but it is never too early to start protecting your heart.  Getting the blood pumping makes the whole system more efficient and by starting a routine as a child, this can benefit you as you get older.

Other benefits

Kids have great natural balance but as you get older, this can often weaken and by the time we are adults, we can’t walk in a straight line without wobbling (even without a few glasses of wine!) but by starting to work on areas of balance as kids and maintaining these routines through as adults, then we have better coordination.

Hand eye coordination is something often mentioned in relation to computer games and using tablets or games consoles.  But playing games such as dodgeball or basketball on a trampoline park can also work on these skills.  The greater flexibility gained through bouncing and jumping can also reflect when sports are played on normal courts which in turn benefits overall confidence.

Kids also tend to have a lot of energy but this can run out quickly and then they are listless and tired.  Trampolining has been shown to help improve mental health and sharpness by increasing the flow of blood around the system.  This in turn increases concentration and makes for a better mood – great reasons for adults to join in too.

Social skills can be developed by visiting the trampoline park where there is little choice but to interact with the other kids there.  It has been proven to help children with autism to adapt to being around other kids and to gain a sense of being included, where their natural feeling is one of exclusion.

For all children, boosting their self-esteem by learning trampolining skills is a benefit and their new sense of fitness and balance can help them do better in other activities.  It also teaches them a sense of determination and persistence when they want to do a certain move or trick and must practise it repeatedly in order to master it.

Halloween decorating ideas

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Decorating for Halloween can be fun and gets you excited for the Halloween season, but thinking of new Halloween party decoration ideas is difficult. Here are a few helpful Halloween decorating tips and tricks to help get your creativity flowing. Your Halloween home décor can be sophisticated or downright spooky. No matter which way you decide to take your fall home décor, follow these easy tips for Halloween decorating that will make it easier.

Try out these Halloween decorating ideas:

Un-Decorate Before You Decorate: Take your normal picture frames off the walls and decorations off all the surfaces including tables, counters, and shelves. When you add Halloween decorations on top of your normal décor, the result looks cluttered and confused. Put all the focus on your Halloween decorations by making them the centre of attention. Fill empty spots that other picture frames left by hanging Halloween plates or spooky decorations.

Focus On One Colour Scheme: A classic orange and black colour scheme for your decorations always looks great. You could also try a creepy black and green colour scheme or go sophisticated with black and silver. Try not to mix more than three of these bold colours. This will keep your house looking put together and sophisticated.

Decorate With Pumpkins: Pumpkins can be used in many different ways for Halloween décor. For a more decadent look, try painting pumpkins, or using glue with glitter or buttons. Pumpkins can be used outside as a welcome sign outside after being painted, or inside as table or mantelpiece décor. Try painting a pumpkin with chalkboard paint and keeping a countdown to Halloween!

Use Candles: Candles are a great way to set a creepy mood for All Hollow’s Eve or the night of a Halloween party. White candles look spookiest and are easy to find. Mix and match different sizes and heights of candles and tea lights on a mantle or as the centrepiece on a table. Dim the lights and the candle glow will give all the rest of your decorations a scary flickering shadow!

Use these Halloween home decoration tips to spark your creativity and expand on your favourite Halloween decorations. Have a happy Halloween!

Black and Orange Halloween party ideas

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Looking for a festive and fun kids Halloween party theme this year? Throw a black and orange themed children’s party, complete with pumpkins, spiders and witches! Here are a few tips on how to get started:

Invitations: Send perfectly themed Halloween invitations that feature the black and orange colour scheme and will appeal to kids. Don’t forget to remind your guests to wear their costumes! Free online invitations are the easiest, fastest way to invite guests to your party.

Treats: Serve up some delicious black and orange snacks and desserts that kids will love! Make pumpkin shaped Rice Krispies treats with orange frosting, Oreo cookie spiders using thin pretzel sticks for legs, or dark chocolate-dipped apple slices.

Drinks: No Halloween party is complete without a signature punch! This black-coloured punch goes well with the overall black and orange party theme, and can be served over dry ice for an extra spooky effect. Try this quick recipe to impress all your witches and goblins!           

Witch’s Brew Punch

• 1 can grape soda
• 1 can frozen orange juice
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 litre of ginger ale
• 2 pints of cold water

Mix all ingredients together, and serve over ice in a large punch bowl.

Games: Incorporate black and orange themed games into your Halloween party! Play Pumpkin Ring Toss, Pin the Spider on the Web, or have a Monster Mash costume parade around your neighbourhood or garden!

Decorations: Use creative Halloween decorations that complement your colour theme. Pumpkins are a natural choice to incorporate orange into your party, and they provide both decoration and an activity. Encourage guests to decorate them with markers, paint, glitter glue, and more. No carving needed! You could also draw spooky faces on orange and black balloons with black and white paint markers! Place them around your party space at various heights for an easy way to decorate.  If your party is in the evening, hang orange glow sticks from the trees for a creative backdrop to all the fun!

This classic Halloween theme allows for a lot of creativity as your plan your child’s party.  Use these spirited ideas to help bring your party theme to life, and enjoy the haunts and thrills with your little ones this Halloween season!

Party games for little ghosts

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Incorporate a few fun Halloween party games for kids into your monster bash. Having games at your Halloween party will keep the children entertained and having fun. When deciding what games to play pick ones that are age appropriate, easy to play, and accommodate all of the children at the party.  

You also want to make sure that the games are Halloween themed by including things like witches, ghosts, and pumpkins into the directions or rules. Here are a few easy Halloween games for kids between the ages of 4-10 to consider for your party planning: 

Pumpkin BINGO: This is a great Halloween party game for kids because it is easy to play and fun. Make your bingo game spooktacular by using pumpkin tokens instead of bingo chips and ghost shaped bingo cards. Have a prize bag full of Halloween sweets and toys ready for the winners to make a selection.

Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin: Pin the nose on the pumpkin is an easy Halloween game for toddlers to play. To setup the game start by making an adorable pumpkin banner with black and orange felt. Have the kids “pin” the nose on the pumpkin after a few blindfolded spins. The closest to the actual nose wins!

Pumpkin Toss: To setup the game, start by carving a large pumpkin with openings for the eyes and mouth or group together lots of pumpkins. To play, have the children throw beanbags shaped like ghosts into the holes to score points. Have each hole be worth a different number of points. The child with the most points after three rounds wins a prize.

The Bone Collector: This game is a great way to get the children up on their feet because it is a Halloween themed treasure hunt. To set up the game, buy a big bag of skeleton bones. Next, hide all of the bones around a designated area for the children to find. For the really little ones, create a diagram of a skeleton so they know how many parts to look for.

Monster Musical Chairs: Musical chairs is an easy Halloween game for kids because all you need is chairs and some fun Halloween music. Have a playlist ready with Halloween songs and let everyone dance around the chairs. When the music stops everyone has to sit down as fast as they can. The child that doesn’t get a chair is eliminated. Each round another chair is taken away until only one child is left sitting.