Turn Your Backyard into a Spooky Play Area for Halloween
Halloween is just ten days away, and that means lots of excitement from the kids! Maybe you love this season too, and delve right into all things pumpkin spice, decorate the house with black and orange, and even put together a couple of fantastic costumes for the youngsters. But why not take it one step further and really make the most of this time of year?
If you are the type of homeowner who has made the most of his or her backyard for fun get-togethers with family and friends in the summer, you can use the same space for a great autumn celebration. Take a quick trip to the craft store and find a few decorations that will work on your pergola to brighten up your outdoor room. Do the same with the swing set (we have seen folks dress up a playset in bright colored lights) and maybe even the basketball hoop. If you have an outdoor kitchen, make sure it is equipped with fun, Halloween-themed décor, from the dishes and place mats down to the salt and pepper shakers.
If you really want to go all out, plan a haunted trail through the backyard, with stops along the way for fun games and activities. This is an especially fun idea if you have a child whose birthday falls around the end of October or the beginning of November. Consider a cookie decorating or a pumpkin carving (supervised, of course!) station at the counter of your outdoor kitchen; a face painting post in the clubhouse of the swing set; or a game of “Walk on the Witch’s Hat” in the gazebo. You could even set up an exciting scavenger hunt (have fun coming up with your own clues, or check out a site like Pinterest where there are plenty of pre-made games) that twists and winds through the backyard, past the shed, around the trampoline and so on. Add some smoke with a fog machine, hang lanterns from trees and maybe even, if the kids are old enough, have someone dress up as a Zombie and pop out every now and then for a fun fright!
Do remember to take precautions as you set up a haunted area. Be sure the area is clear and walkable. Also, consider hosting the celebration in the daytime. This is ideal if the kids are young, and it also makes for a fun time as parents gather under an awning or pavilion and watch the children have a blast. At the end of the day you’ll have tons of great memories, all thanks to the great backyard you’ve built and transformed into a Halloween haven!