Yesterday I kept a room of 22 costumed 2nd graders in my daughter’s class transfixed for a whole ten minutes.

And this was after their school Halloween parade and after they’d exhausted all the games we’d planned for the in-room party and while they were eating cupcakes, grapes, and caramel-dipped apple slices. (Well, I guess the cupcakes helped keep their mouths a little occupied.)

Let the Halloween cooking…begin! I’ve just been waiting to start posting fun spooky recipes. I’ll have more all week (taffy tongues are up next). But I wanted to start with this recipe that’s easy to pull together fast. AND kids can help you with every step.

Our house was full of princesses, fairies, and a vampire this weekend. My youngest planned out her own Halloween party, from sending out the invitations to planning games and setting up a spook alley. My assignment was to take care of food (yes!). I had planned a dramatic spread of various creepy crawies. But after failing in my original cupcake idea I took my daughter’s lead and kept things simple.

Going for a gross-out dinner this Halloween! Break out the meatball mix, then.

Rat meatballs on plate

Can't get enough Halloween goodness? I can't, either (or of those giant bags of candy we're supposed to hand out to trick or treaters...). I've gathered some great articles from our site and the sites of several of our editors - all great writers with spooky things to share.

When in Stratford, Ontario, be sure to go on the Ghosts of Stratford Theatrical Walking Tours' summer tours and haunted pub tours, which meander through Stratford's streets and parks by one or two spirits in full costume and makeup...but for Halloween, they go all out!

Photo: Nicholas Russon

Florida Culture for the Week of October 16 – with – ‘Your Halloween Special’ By Josh Garrick 

When I mentioned the Legend of Sleepy Hollow to my children, I was greeted with blank stares.
 
“Sleepy what?” my 11 year-old asked.