My daughter recently started Kindergarten and since I work full-time, I haven’t been able to meet most of her new little friends or their parents. I decided Halloween presented the perfect opportunity to host a small gathering to bring the parents and girls together in a social and fun environment. And of course, what a better way to celebrate with 5 year olds girls than dressing up, playing games and decorating cookies.
Since it was a bunch of little ladies coming together, I decided to call it a “Ghoul Squad” Halloween Party (a play on Girl Squad and the holiday). I got most of the supplies from the Dollar Store, and of course the ultimate holiday destination, the Target Dollar Spot. To get prepared and setup, I created an area for the dessert table, other food options and two cookie decorating stations.
The dessert table backdrop was created with square black paper plates from Dollar Tree and painters tape. In other words, it cost me just over a dollar to cover a wall in my home that usually has an electrical panel if left blank with an effective covering. I added a banner I created (that will eventually will be available to download for free) and some ghost garland to complete the simple look. Instead of just a white tablecloth, I used some ripped black cloth, also from Dollar Tree, to add a bit of spooky texture to the setup.
The table was covered with an abundance of Halloween fare from cookies to gummy worms and skeleton cheese puffs. As usual, there was balance to the sugary offering with vegetables and hummus, as well as, fruit skewers and cheese croissants available for the girls and parents to enjoy prior to the sweets. Drinks included milk, juice, coffee and wine, because when there are 10 kids around, a bit of alcohol can be helpful.
The cookie decorating tables were outfitted with an abundance of sprinkles, editable eyes and other candies for the girls to make use of when adorning their sugar cookies and cupcakes. I stuck to a buttercream frosting that they could apply with mini spoons to the cookies and the cupcakes were already frosted so they could decorate immediately. This activity went over so well and each guest was given a box to take home their creations to enjoy.
While cookie decorating was a highlight, the games were also a hit. We played “Halloween Bingo” and “Pin the Spider on the Web”, both of which winners received holiday specific colouring books, stickers, etc. Because of their age, these turned out to be a great set of games for the group. Before leaving, each guest got to take home a little treat bag, along with their cookie box.
It was the perfect afternoon and my daughter is still talking about the party. Perhaps we may make this a new tradition. Enjoy the upcoming Halloween holiday. It is so fun with kids!
