1. Start with Kid-friendly, Flame-free Candles and Votives:

Have any orange or black placemats on-hand? How about colorful drinking glasses — maybe in white, frost, orange, smoky gray, green or purple? Any white candle pillars stashed in a drawer? These everyday things can do double-duty as Halloween decor! For example:

• MYO-Votives: Add some construction paper bits to colorful drinking glasses, pop a flame-free candle in the glass and, Presto! Instant Halloween votive candles that kids can easily help make. We used Bentley 11-oz plastic tumblers  in Smoke and Tangerine, construction paper and double-sided gift tape. 
  

  Plastic glasses do double-duty as Halloween votive candles

• Create a Ghostly Glow: Don’t spend your money on fancy Halloween candles that you’ll just have to store in a few weeks! Grab simple white or orange pillar candles (of course, battery operated candles are best) and attach paper or fun foam bits to make Jack-o-Lantern faces or Ghosts. (If you use real candles, place embellishments well below the burn region and keep an eye on them when burning).

Arrange several candles, homemade votives or a combination of these across the mantle for a Halloween spookscape, or place a few on orange or black placemats for a flickering centerpiece.

3. For a Spideriffic Centerpiece, Start in the Backyard:

What could be spookier (or cheaper) than a cluster or spindly branches hung with paper or pipe cleaner spiders? For this simple project, you just need some branches, an empty soup or coffee can, floral foam or dried beans* to hold the branches in place, some pipe cleaners or construction paper, and glue. If you want to get fancy, spray paint the branches and can before assembling. (*If decorating around toddlers, use foam instead of dried beans – if spilled, beans could be a choking hazard)

Battery operated candles offer a spooky and kid-safe glow

4. Safe — and Spooky – Trick-or-Treating Lights:

Add a little extra creepy to your little ghouls’ and booys’ costumes this year. Instead of flashlights, give them a battery-operated pillar candle to hold. These cast a spooky flickering glow without a flame — perfect if you have a little witch or wizard who really gets into character!

Let us know about your kid-safe, budget-friendly Halloween ideas!

Here are a few safer decorating tips for adding some creepy crawly fun to homes… even those with small, busy kids. Plus budget-friendly Halloween decor ideas using everyday items – like plastic glasses for Halloween votive candle holders; branches and a coffee can for a creepy spider centerpiece; and repurposing everyday placemats for inexpensive Halloween table runners… and more.

10. Fill ‘em up first: Send trick-or-treaters off with a full tummy so they won’t be as tempted to eat candy before it’s inspected.

9. Have a Trick-or-Treating plan: Accompany young children at all times and send older kids out in a group with strict route guidelines and curfews – and a charged cel phone for emergencies. Don’t forget flashlights or glow sticks for everyone, both to see and be seen.

8. Remember safety basics: Emphasize to kids that Halloween night is no different when it comes to safety. Avoid strangers and dark houses, stay on well-lighted streets on a pre-approved route, and take extra care when crossing streets.

7. Decorate with the littlest ghouls in mind: Make yard decorations safe and inviting to all. Secure electrical cords and strings out of reach, use glow sticks or battery-operated candles as light sources instead of real candles, and make walkways clear and accessible. If creating a particularly scary haunted yard, consider including a less-scary approach for younger trick-or-treaters (unless, of course, you want a bunch of leftover candy). When handing out candy, include toddler-friendly goodies like single-serving cookie or animal cracker packs in the candy bowl – parents will thank you!

6. Costume for comfort and safety: Dress kids in costumes that are temperature-appropriate, allow free range of vision and movement, and are easily seen in the dark. Accessories like swords, knives and fairy wands should be safely blunted or flexible to prevent injury. Do costumes call for a spooky glow? Flameless battery-operated wax candles create ghoulish candle-lit effect and are safe to carry.

5. Carve a safer Jack o’Lantern: Let little ones scoop the insides of the pumpkin and draw the face – always the best designs – but leave the carving to adults or older kids. Create a safer spooky light using glow sticks in two or three colors or battery-operated candles.

4. Check all candy before eating: Inspect candy before allowing kids to eat. Discard candy with broken wrappers, packaging that can be opened and resealed, or that appears tampered with in any way.

3. Keep pets inside all night: It’s safer and less stressful for pets, pet owners and visitors.

2. Prepare for unexpected scares: Assemble a portable first aid kit to treat minor scrapes, burns or cuts, and include medications for asthma or allergies.

1. Have a get-home plan: Whether trick-or-treating, attending a party, or stopping by the neighborhood carnival, have a plan that works for everyone in case of separation. Identify a location to go if separated from the group, and attach parents’ names, address and phone numbers to younger kids’ clothing.