Through the miracle of modern technology, this Halloween you can enjoy your candy corn without gaining weight. Try using the fun-sized treats in some fun kids' activities and games. And if you make a sport out of it, you might find you even burn off a few calories! And remember, October 30th is national candy corn day. You'll be pressed to find a better way to observe the day than with a couple entertaining candy corn games.
Candy Corn Hunts
Little ones love hunting games. Conceal ten pieces of candy corn in an area – under the sofa, behind the door, on the windowsill. You may have to provide a couple "you're getting warmer" tips to help in the effort. If you leave them uncovered, even the tiniest tots will be able to find their bright colors.
If you want to dress up the idea, put the candy corn in little cellophane bags and close them with festive ribbon. Stash them all around - either inside or out - for a candy corn twist on the traditional Easter egg hunt.
Construct a path of candy corn for little ones to follow. Lead them around some shrubs, or a maze - or through a cluttered house. Depending on the state of their rooms, you could use this idea to help your kids find their dresser! If you push a toothpick into the wide end of the candy, you instantly create an arrow. Use the arrows for hints in your hunt.
Target Practice Try a Halloween twist on the old clothespin drop game. Have children stand on a sturdy chair and drop the pieces down into a canning jar. A container with a wider opening, like a bucket or funnel might work out better for really little contestants, while a two liter soda bottle would present a far greater difficulty when the older kids want to strut their stuff.
Remember Bozo's Grand Prize Game? Make your own using a few small sand pails. Rename the game after your favorite Halloween character.
- Use a bit of masking tape or a stick to indicate a boundary line for the contestants.
- Number the pails, placing them in a row perpendicular to the line, pail number one being closest.
- Children line up behind the line and throw candy into each bucket starting with the closest.
- Keep score or issue prizes for hitting each bucket.
After putting some candy corn into a small sealed plastic baggie, have a "corn bag" toss. After playing catch, try aiming at a target or throwing the bags into a container. For extra Halloween fun, sketch a mummy face on the front of a box, and cut out openings for his eyes, nose, and mouth. Different points could be awarded for getting the corn bags through each of the holes.
Other Fun Stuff
On a even surface like the dining room table try some shufflecorn or "bocce corn". One person acts as the referee, sliding out the first piece of candy corn. He then marks this piece with a toothpick. Contestants alternate sliding 4 different pieces as close to the referee's mark as they can. The referee identifies which piece is the closest, awarding that contestant a point. Play until a contestant gets ten points. To reduce confusion, marking each contestant's candy pieces would be helpful.
If not concerned about a mess - try candy corn and frosting sculptures. Obviously, a well covered table or other safe surface is best. As I think about it, maybe this is better as an outdoor project. Prizes could be awarded for the most extraordinary sculpture, the tallest one, the neatest one -- or maybe the one that looks most like dad.
String candy corn like popcorn. Not only is the activity fun, but also you have great decorating material when you are done! Tape several strands in a doorway like a 70's-style beaded curtain. Add an orange lava lamp for a funky Halloween theme. String some through a spooky tree in the yard. Hang it inside like party streamers or use it for jewelry.
So whether you are hoping to steer clear of the sugar calories, looking for fun Halloween activities to occupy kids excited about the holiday, or trying to find something to do with all of that extra candy corn, you can enjoy these guilt-free pleasures.
Gaylene Davis is an ex-teacher, now a WAHM taking care of her two boys. This candy corn article was originally written for http://www.Candy-Corn.info . For more fun candy corn math and candy corn facts - check it out.
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