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This week I'm giving out invitations to my students for a studio recital/party the Saturday before Halloween. Since most of them are quite young, they are invited to come in costume, should they desire. I told them there would be games and prizes and snacks, and that they'd get to listen to each other play creepy Halloween music. Out of 40 students, I'm expecting about 20-25, as it's an optional event, most likely between the ages of 5 and 9.
My living room should be big enough to hold everyone (lots of small bodies).
Any suggestions as to the type of games/prizes/snacks I could offer? I want to tie in fall elements with music, but don't want it to be cheesy. (not that the kids would necessarily care...)
i'm thinking as the children arrive to have them do an activity - like making their own name tags with markers and stickers etc. so the other kids will know who they are.
also I thought it would be fun to make your own snacks, but that would get very messy in the living room, and I'm trying my best to avoid mess or frosting on the carpet.
Has anyone hosted this kind of party and have had success you'd like to share? Have you done prizes? Best costume, scarriest piece, etc? I'd love to read about people's ideas and thoughts about how to make it a memorable time, both socially and musically.
Thanks!

I think the nametag activity is a good one. I saw some creepy font alphabet stickers the other day and they would be cute on the nametags. If it were me, I'd stay away from "awards" unless everyone could win something.

This "spooky walk" games looks fun. It's like musical chairs without the running and pushing. http://www.partygameideas.com/halloween-games/spooky_walk_3.php You could even play the piano for the music.

Well, voice of experience here, avoid pizza and drinks of color, like red. Red makes for nice stains and grease stains are highly probably!

I've found that you can get neat, inexpensive prizes at Michael's. They can be either/both Halloween or Autumn oriented. I usually got a basket full of them, then let students pick their own prize.

One year, I draped spider webbing over the grand, put a big spider on it, and had a number of ghoulish decorations. Other years, the theme has been more oriented to harvest festival, which I like better, since most people don't understand the connection of Halloween to All Saint's Day.

Wow, i like some of those ideas! thanks, Stanny, for that website - lots of good things there. And JvdB, i like the idea of draping spider web over the grand. i can just imagine the kids' reactions! they'll love it!

My young students (and even some not quite so young) love playing "spooky music".

I think your students will have a wonderful time at this recital!