FamilyEducation Blogs

October 29, 2009

Have a mean, green Halloween

Costumes and candy and crepe paper, oh my. You’ve been preparing for weeks, and now the hour is drawing near for the big night! Before your little tricksters head out for their treats, make your Halloween a green one. It’s not too late to make it a healthier celebration, for you and planet Earth.

Forego the Face Paint
A new study released by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics just this week revealed that many popular face paints for kids contain lead and other harmful metals. To stay on the safe side, avoid face paints altogether, or make your own using natural or food-based alternatives. Visit the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics for more ideas.

Create-Your-Own Costume
Instead of wasting materials (and money) on store-bought costumes, make your own from things you find around the house, or at second-hand stores. For last minute home made ideas, visit our costume finder. And to collect all of those treats, spruce up a sack you have at home instead of buying a new one.

Use Recycled, Reused, and Organic Products
To decorate for your Halloween bash, use recycled paper products (or better yet, reusable plastic ones) and flowers and pumpkins from local farmer’s markets. Bobbing for apples? Make them organic!

Skip the Sweet Treats
You can hand out healthier alternatives to candy, and still be the popular house on the block. Check out our ideas for cheap and fun Halloween candy alternatives. Or, take a look at these ideas for organic and tasty treats.

Candles = Less Energy + Spooky Ambience
Use Halloween as your excuse to spend the evening electricity free. Your spooky, candle-lit home will have the perfect Halloween feel. Your kids can carry flashlights with LED bulbs to spread their energy-saving light through the neighborhood.

Happy Hallowgreen!

Halloween