Celebrate Halloween With Costume Ideas, Crafts

BOSTON - Oct. 22, 2008 - As little ghosts, goblins, princesses and pirates around the country get ready for trick-or-treating, parents can turn to FamilyEducation for everything they need to have a ghoulishly great and safe Halloween. The popular parenting Web site is an excellent source for easy and affordable costume ideas, tips for planning a frighteningly fun Halloween party, and Halloween crafts and activities.

Before they start carving that big pumpkin that was carefully selected at the pumpkin patch, families can create a personalized design with FamilyEducation's Jack-O-Lantern Creator. Using the Jack-O-Lantern Creator, they can choose eyes, noses and mouths to give their online pumpkin its own personality and then print out a template to guide their carving. Or they can print and color their customized creations to use as Halloween decorations.

"Who doesn't love a holiday that involves decorating your house, dressing up in costume, eating tons of candy and maybe even having a party with family and friends?" said Jess M. Brallier, publisher, Family Education Network. "Our site is jam-packed with ideas and tips that will help families affordably celebrate Halloween and scare up some frightening fun for their friends and relatives."

The highlight of Halloween for any kid is picking out that one-of-a-kind costume. Parents and kids can explore ideas for family-friendly Halloween costumes on FamilyEducation. Kids looking for a funny costume can go as macaroni-and-cheese or a Chia Pet. If they want to have some frightening fun, they can choose from FamilyEducation's numerous scary costume ideas. FamilyEducation also features costume ideas for toddlers and the littlest family members can participate in the fun as a Beanie Baby, a duck or maybe a ladybug. For even more ideas, families can view the parent-submitted children's Halloween costume slideshow, and they can submit pictures of their own creations to FamilyEducation at feedback@fen.com.

After creating their unique costumes, families can show them off at a Halloween party planned with tips from FamilyEducation. The site features Halloween recipes, games and activities, and decorating ideas for creating the perfect monster bash. Printable Halloween invitations will ensure that your guests are invited in spooky style, and a slideshow featuring Halloween crafts will help you deck out your house for the festivities. Guests will be amazed by the creepy surprises on the menu such as radioactive punch and goblin gorp. No party is complete without games, and FamilyEducation provides parents with Halloween games such as Walk on the Witch's Hat and Find the Pumpkin.

Before heading out to trick or treat, party-goers can also make some great Halloween crafts from FamilyEducation. They can design their own trick-or-treat bag or have fun with printable Halloween activities, including spooky word puzzles, creepy math games and boo-tastic brain benders found on FamilyEducation.

About FamilyEducation
FamilyEducation is the leading online publisher of practical parenting guidance, expert family advice, printables, skill-building exercises and activities for children. FamilyEducation.com is dedicated to educating parents and parents-to-be so they can raise healthy, educated and well-rounded children.

FamilyEducation is part of Pearson, the world's largest integrated education company. Pearson's other primary operations include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group.