— by Denise Morrison Yearian
Whether you ’ re planning a bountiful harvest party or a small family festival , you may want to consider these craft , game , and food suggestions . They can also be incorporated into Halloween festivities .
Crop of Crafts
When doing crafts with kids in a group setting , plan a main craft with a short , second activity — coloring pages or stringing popcorn — for early finishers . Whatever crafts you choose , pick ones that are easy to clean up so you can move on to the next activity .
Paper Strip Pumpkin
Measure and cut an orange rectangle from construction paper to fit around a toilet paper tube . Glue in place to create the pumpkin ’ s center base . Measure and cut eleven 1-inch by 12-inch strips from orange paper . Glue 1 strip to the upper , inside end of the toilet paper tube . Let dry . Repeat this step with remaining 10 strips . Place the detached end of each strip down and glue to the bottom , inside end of the tube . ( Strips should bow out to create a rounded pumpkin .) Let dry . Draw and cut out a large leaf shape from
6 WNY Family October 2018
Have A Fall Harvest Celebration ! green construction paper . Tape leaf to the top , inside section of the tube .
Beau the Scarecrow
Draw and cut an 8-inch triangle from a paper bag to create the scarecrow ’ s hat . Fold one piece of yellow construction paper accordion style into 1 / 2-inch folds . Open paper flat and cut along the folds to create strips for straw hair . Place a paper plate bottom side up . Glue hair randomly to one edge of the plate . Glue hat over the straw hair , allowing some straw to show around the lower , outer edges of the hat . Draw and cut a 1-inch triangle then glue to the center of the plate to create a nose . Draw and cut two 1-inch circles from pink paper , then glue onto the face to create the cheeks . Use black marker to create eyes , eyebrows and a mouth . Draw and cut a 3-inch sunflower shape from yellow paper , then glue to one side of the hat . Draw and cut a 1-inch brown circle and glue to the center of the sunflower . Cut ribbon into an 18-inch strip . Tie into a bow and attach with a glue gun to the lower edge of the paper plate for the bow tie .
Speckled Leaf Suncatcher
Measure and cut two 6-inch squares from black construction paper . Temporarily paper clip the two squares together , then place paper on the table . Center a large maple leaf over the top black square and trace around it with a pencil . Use scissors to cut out the leaf pattern you drew , making sure you cut through both sheets of construction paper to form a hollowed-out leaf frame . Remove paper clips and set aside . Place crayon shavings between two sheets of waxed paper and iron until the shavings melt . Measure and cut the waxed paper design to a 5 ½-inch square . Place the multicolored design between the two black squares to create a stained-glass leaf picture and frame . Glue design in place . Punch a hole at the top of the frame , loop yarn through the hole and tie in a knot . Hang picture in a sunny window .
Gathering for Games
Games are a staple at kids ’ gatherings . Choose ones every child can participate in , where no one is eliminated . With a little forethought and creativity , any game can be adapted to fit the fall theme .
Broom Ball
Purchase half-sized brooms for each party guest and two different colors of seasonal garland . Decorate half of the brooms with one color of garland and the remaining half with the other garland to specify teams . Establish goals at opposite ends of the yard , and divide the children into teams . Place a kickball in the center of the yard , then give each child a broom to sweep the ball to his team ’ s goal . The first team to score five goals wins .
Scarecrow Relay
Separate children into two teams . Choose one child from each team to be the scarecrow . Place scarecrows at one end of the room , along with hay and oversized scarecrow-type clothing items . Teammates line up at the other end of the room . To play , teammates take turns running to the scarecrow and dressing him with one clothing item , then tagging the next player who does the same . When the scarecrow is completely dressed , each teammate returns a second time to stuff straw in his clothing . The first team to finish making their scarecrow wins .