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If you pay attention to television ads, it would seem that there are no healthy snacks for kids anymore. After all, just about every commercial seems to feature one sugary, fat-filled treat after another. Health-conscious parents are in a real bind – or are they? The truth is, healthy eating is just as easy today as it was twenty years ago. The trick is to avoid being sucked in by convenience – and to set strict rules in your home about what kids may and may not eat. Finally, keeping healthy options available makes it easier for your kids to eat healthfully. Look below for a list of fun, simple – and healthy – snacks for kids.

Noodles – When hunger strikes, it’s tempting to microwave a small pizza. Instead, boil your child a small batch of noodles. For even healthier results, stick with whole-grain pastas.

Yogurt – Yogurt is a wonderfully healthy choice. These days, there are many convenient and portable yogurt options for kids. Stock up on them and you’ll always have a healthy snack option for your little ones.

Smoothies – Sure, ice cream is delicious; it’s not very healthy, though. Satisfy your child’s craving for something cold and sweet by whipping them up a fresh smoothie.

Veggies, Fruits and Dip – Make a habit of buying fresh fruits and veggies on a regular basis. Slice them up every morning and pair them with a dip, or with peanut butter. Your kids will love it!

MBanana, Zucchini and Carrot Breads – Whether it’s banana nut muffins or carrot cake, your kids will feel like they’re getting a dessert – and they’ll be getting their fruits and veggies, too!

String Cheese – There are many tasty low-fat string cheeses available at the grocery store. They are individually-wrapped, too, making them extremely convenient. Best of all, little kids love them!

Quesadillas – Whether you bake them in the oven or use a quesadilla maker, these cheesy treats are always huge hits with kids. Slice them up into manageable pieces and your kids’ hunger will evaporate in no time!

Chips and Salsa – Potato chips and French onion dip is hardly a healthy snack. However, baked tortilla chips and fresh salsa definitely is. Keep this combo handy when your kids get home from school and they’ll steer clear of less healthy options.

Hummus – Another great option for dipping is hummus. Whether they dip baby carrots, pita bread or pretzels into it, your little ones will love the rich, creamy texture of hummus. Since it’s made out of chick peas, it is high in protein and low in fat.

Raisins – Individual-sized boxes of raisins are readily available at most grocery stores. This treat has been nicknamed “nature’s candy” for a reason – it is sweet and delicious.

Trail Mix – Whether you buy it at the store or – better yet – make it yourself, there’s no doubt that kids love trail mix. Granola, nuts, dried fruits, sunflower seeds, raisins and other delights can all be mixed together to make this tasty crowd-pleaser.

Roll-Ups – Kids love eating anything if it’s rolled up into a tube. Slices of turkey or chicken can be rolled up and offered up as snacks. You could also smear peanut butter and jelly or cream cheese in a tortilla and offer them that. Either way, they’ll enjoy a healthy, tasty treat.

Healthy Beverages for Children

Photo Credit: Steph Laing

As a parent, your number-one priority has to be providing your children with the best nutrition possible. Like many other parents, you are probably careful about reading labels on the food that you buy and you probably strive to provide a balanced diet for your kids. All of that care and planning can go right out the window, though, if you aren’t careful about the types of drinks that you give your children. Beverages are an important part of a child’s day, keeping them well-hydrated and keeping their bodies in good working order. Learn about the healthiest beverages for children by reading on below.

Water – The #1 Choice

Without a doubt, water is the optimal choice when it comes to beverages for kids. There are no extra sugars added to water, and there are no artificial sweeteners to worry about, either. Of course, many kids are loathe to drink water since it is flavorless and rather drab. There are plenty of great ways to jazz water up, though, making it more palatable to even the finickiest kids. Load a glass up with a heaping serving of ice cubes and pour water over them to create a more enticing drink. Stick a slice of fruit – like lemon or lime – on the rim of a water glass to give water a more sophisticated and appealing look. Do whatever it takes to get your kids to drink more water!

Milk – A Nutritious Option

Until about the age of two, kids should be limited to whole milk; their bodies still need the extra fats and nutrients that are so abundant in whole milk. From ages two to five, kids should be given semi-skimmed milk. After age five, skim milk is a healthy choice. Since many kids don’t like the taste of milk, chocolate milk can be given so that they still get all of the nutrients. However, you should limit your child to a single glass of chocolate milk per day, since it is typically made out of sweetened milk.

Juices – A Reasonable Treat

Many parents mistakenly believe that juice is perfectly healthy for their kids and allow them to drink it all day long. The truth is, though, that even unsweetened juices contain natural sugars that can wreak havoc on a child’s dental health. In general, it is best to limit your child’s consumption of juices to mealtimes only. Resist the urge to allow your kid to have easy access to juice throughout the day – the extra sugar isn’t going to do anything good for him.

Beverages to Avoid

In general, it is best to keep fizzy, carbonated beverages out of the house. Regular sodas contain several tablespoons’ worth of sugar; diet sodas contain artificial sweeteners. Neither type of drink provides any sort of nutrition, so why offer it to your child? The easiest way to keep your child from drinking these unhealthy beverages is by not making them available. Simply don’t buy any when you go to the grocery store. Set a good example by steering clear of them, too. By doing so, you’ll be setting your children on a very healthy path in life. With any luck, they will resist the urge to drink sodas as they grow older, preferring healthier fare – like water and milk – instead.

Packing Healthy Lunches for Kids

Photo Credit: Suzette Pauwels

These days, schools don’t tend to offer the healthiest choices when it comes to hot lunches. As a caring and nurturing parent, you undoubtedly want your child to receive the proper nutrition throughout the day. By packing your child’s lunches, you can ensure that they’re not scarfing down greasy french fries, pizza, candy and other unhealthy fare during their lunch period. Of course, coming up with healthy, tasty lunches on a day-in, day-out basis can be cumbersome. Check out a few fresh, easy ideas below!

Delicious Main Courses

It’s usually best – and easiest – to plan a packed lunch around one main item. Sandwiches are a natural choice, but there are plenty of other options. A few of the best ideas are highlighted below.

Cold Cut Wraps – Choose your child’s favorite kind of cold cut and roll it up with cheese, mayo and other toppings in a whole wheat tortilla. It’s not only healthy, but it’s easy for small hands to wield, too!

Grilled Chicken – Grill or bake some chicken the night before and refrigerate it. Wrap up a few slices, along with some honey mustard for dipping, and pack it in your child’s lunch. It’s a healthy and savory way to refuel during a busy school day!

Mini Burritos – Whether you stuff them full of beans, rice, cheese, veggies, chicken or even beef, mini burritos are sure to be a hit with your youngsters. They can be served warm or cold, too, making them incredibly versatile and easy to prepare.

Warm Food – Invest in an insulated food jar and pack hot soups, chili and other delicious lunches for your child. You can also heat up some leftovers in the morning and pack them in the food jar to add a little variety to your child’s day.

Salad – Pack a fresh salad in a small plastic container. Make sure to keep the dressing in a separate container so that things don’t get soggy!

Quesadillas – Few kids will turn up their noses at a quesadilla. Wrap up a few slices and pack them in your child’s lunch for a tasty treat.

Basic Sandwiches – You can easily take traditional sandwiches and give them a dose of healthy flair. Pack a peanut butter and fruit spread sandwich on whole grain bread for your child, or prepare egg salad or tuna salad the night before and serve it on whole wheat bread.

Delectable Sides

Most kids expect to have a little something extra in their lunches. These sides are the perfect complement to the preceding main courses!

Cheese Sticks – Whether it’s mozzarella, colby jack, cheddar or any other flavor, kids can’t get enough of cheese sticks!

Fruit Salad – Swap that boring apple for a container of brightly-colored – and extremely healthy – fruit salad.

Baby Carrots and Dip – When served with low-fat ranch or another dip, baby carrots are great to munch on and go along well with just about anything.

Whole Grain Crackers – It’s easy to find whole grain crackers at the store. Pack some up in a baggie for your child to enjoy.

Dried Fruit and Nuts – Nuts and dried fruits are great because they hold up well throughout the day. You could pack them separately, or buy them as a prepared trail mix, too.

Remember to add a post-it note with a little message of encouragement or just a smiley face says “I love you” during lunch.

Click Your Way to Healthy Eating Tips for Your Child

Photo Credit: Steph Laing

Childhood obesity is a major problem in this country. If your child is overweight – or if you’d like to do your best to keep it from happening – it helps to arm yourself with as much knowledge as possible. The Internet is awash in information about healthy eating for kids; in fact, wading through it all can be exhausting. We know how busy you are, which is why we’ve compiled ten of the best online resources for helping your child eat healthily. In turn, he or she will be less likely to become overweight.

1. Healthy Eating for Overweight Kids- Your child doesn’t have to be overweight in order for you to benefit from the tips on this page. Specific information about tricky topics like fruits and vegetable are included; your child will be scarfing down healthy food in no time flat!

2. Weight Loss Tips for Kids – Whether your child is overweight or not, they’ll be healthier and stronger when you implement some of the advice found on this page. It helpfully points out that you shouldn’t be putting your child on a diet; instead, you should be encouraging healthy eating habits.

3.Nutrition for Children and Teens - A series of concise, simple tips are highlighted on this page. You can use them to form the basis for your child’s healthy eating habits. It’s amazing what small changes can do when it comes to a child’s nutrition!

4.Healthy Eating – As the title of this page implies, healthy eating is the name of the game. Advice concerning fighting over food and other common problems is provided. Quit making mealtime battle time!

5.5 Ways to Help Your Kids Lose Weight -If you enjoy The Today Show – and who doesn’t? – then you’re going to love the advice on this page. The top tip? Be a good role model. In other words, don’t live off of fast food and soda, then expect your child to be a healthy eater.

6.Quick Weight Loss Tips for Kids – A basic overview of helping your kids get on the right track, especially if they’ve become overweight.

7.Child Nutrition – Get the official scoop on what’s good for your child at this page, which is brought to you by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

8.Get Fit Strategies – This useful resource includes advice by two doctors. It’s a quick read, and it should help you get on the road to promoting healthy eating at home.

9. Healthy Eating Habits for Your Child -One of the best pieces of advice on this page concerns not being a dictator when it comes to food. A bounty of other really spot-on advice can be found here, too.

10.Helping Your Overweight Child - In addition to some very helpful advice about promoting good eating habits, this article goes over some of the best ways to support a child who is overweight.

How to Teach Children Good Manners

Photo Credit: Randen Pederson

One of the top priorities of most parents is teaching their children to have good manners. Doing so doesn’t just benefit the child, whose good manners will make it easier for him to get along with others – it benefits parents, who don’t have to worry about being embarrassed by their child’s behavior. There is a ton of advice out there about teaching children good manners; much of it focuses on what constitutes good manners in the first place. It’s one thing to know what good manners are and a whole other story when it comes to passing them along. Learn a few key tips for teaching your child good manners below!

Be a Good Role Model – This is, by far, the most important piece of advice when it comes to teaching your child good manners. If your manners are sorely lacking, how can you expect your child to behave any better? Kids look up to their parents – and they watch what you do a lot more closely than you probably think. Whenever you’re with your children, make it a point to use the best manners possible. As if by osmosis, your children will start picking them up!

Use Positive Reinforcement – Berating your child for not using good manners is a surefire way to make him associate good manners with being punished. That negative association will make it difficult for you to reinforce the benefits of using good manners. Whenever your child slips up, kindly and gently let him know; when he does something right, though, be sure to point it out and offer praise. Eventually, he’ll look forward to making you happy by using great manners.

Be Neutral – Not Judgmental – It’s important to deal with unmannerly children in a calm, rational way. Getting bent out of shape about the fact that your child failed to say “please” isn’t going to get you anywhere. Being calm and informative about the situation is always the way to go. Don’t simply bark directives at your child, either – make sure to explain why good manners matter whenever you can, without being preachy.

Teach Kids to Respect Others – One of the primary goals of having good manners is respecting others. Teach your child that, generally speaking, adults don’t enjoy it when kids yell and scream. Explain to your child that by keeping his voice down, he’s showing respect – and being well-mannered, too. Chewing with your mouth shut is another example. Nobody enjoys watching while somebody else chews food in a disgusting way; tell your child that by chewing with his mouth closed, he’s respecting others.

Visit Nice Restaurants to Put Good Manners to Work – Many times, it’s easy to let manners fall by the wayside when you eat most of your meals in the comfort of your own home. Make it a point to take your children out to nice, sit-down restaurants on occasion. Stress the importance of being on their best behavior on the way there, then praise them when they do so. This is sure to make a huge – and very positive – impression on your child!

The bottom line is, manners matter. By being consistent with your children and leading by example, you can instill topnotch manners in them. In turn, they will grow up respecting others and will have a much easier time of things.

How to Teach Your Child Table Manners

Photo Credit: Eric Fleming

As nice as it would be, kids aren’t born with an innate understanding of table manners. Assuming that your child will magically know how to behave when special mealtimes roll around is a recipe for disaster. By consistently teaching your child the finer points of table manners – and by being a great example – he is sure to pick them up in no time. There is a seemingly endless array of rules and things to keep in mind when it comes to being well-mannered at the dinner table; we’ve highlighted a few of the key points to emphasize below.

Elbows Off the Table – Teach your child that it’s impolite to prop his elbows on the table. Have him take a look around the table; point out how no one is doing so. If you catch him doing it, correct him in a discreet way – there’s no need to make an example out of him.

The Art of Refusing – One of the biggest problems that kids have when it comes to being polite at the table occurs when they’re offered something that looks unappealing to them. “It smells funny,” or “it looks gross” are examples of comments that should be avoided at all cost. Explain to your child that it’s fine to refuse something – as long as they are gracious about it. A simple “no thank you” should be more than sufficient; further elaboration is not needed.

What Goes Where – When sitting down to a more formal meal, it’s helpful if your child is initiated about which silverware is used – and when to use it. At home, make a game out of learning where various utensils are placed and when they are used. That way, your child won’t be completely puzzled when he sits down to dine in style.

Posture Matters – Kids are notorious for slouching and slumping at the dinner table. Explain to your child that mealtimes are generally brief, and that they should be more than capable of maintaining proper posture throughout the proceedings. Be sure to praise him when he does it right, too.

Things to Avoid – There are certain cardinal sins that your child should be taught to avoid. Finger licking and lip smacking are two prime examples; double-dipping is another. Make it clear that swiping a finger through icing or other types of food is also strictly prohibited.

No Interrupting – Teach your child that mealtimes are about more than eating – they are great opportunities to socialize, too. Tell him to avoid interrupting others and to wait until it’s appropriate to speak.

The Importance of Mouth-Wiping – Nobody likes staring at a grimy face while trying to eat. Stress the importance of regularly wiping one’s mouth while eating. Tell your child that he should always err on the side of caution and that over-wiping is vastly preferable to under-wiping.

Staying Seated – Your child should be taught to remain seated until the meal is finished. Let him know that it’s unacceptable to get in and out of his seat, or to go running off without asking for permission first.

Fun Outdoor Activities for The Whole Family

Photo Credit: Kelly Verdeck

There are few better ways to enjoy time together as a family than hitting the great outdoors. By stepping out your front door and embarking on an outdoor adventure, the whole family can enjoy many positive benefits like togetherness and exercise. Why let a sunny summer day or a crisp fall afternoon pass you by? Get out there and enjoy time together as a family; the following examples are sure to inspire you!

Spend the Day at the Beach

Whether you live near the ocean or a lake, a day at the beach can be an engaging and entertaining way to spend time as a family. Bring along a picnic lunch, plenty of blankets and chairs and an assortment of beach toys, and everyone is sure to stay occupied. Give each person a small bag to use for collecting rocks or shells; at the end of the day, everyone can sit down together and show off their finds!

Take the Dog for a Walk

If you have a dog, you can make taking care of it a family affair. When it’s time for him to go on a walk, why go it alone? Bring along the whole family instead! The people won’t be the only ones having a blast – the dog will have a marvelous time, too! Let the kids take turns holding his leash and walk him over to a nearby park to toss a ball or frisbee around for added entertainment.

Go on a Bike Ride

Leisurely family bike rides are fantastic ways to enjoy the outdoors as a group. If there’s a local bike path available, try riding along it together. You don’t have to limit yourself to bike baths, though; if you live near an ice cream shop, take a bicycling adventure over to it. After working so hard to get there, everyone will appreciate a nice ice cream cone or other treat.

Hiking and Nature Walks are Great Options

No matter where you live, there’s sure to be a local park or other area that is perfect for taking nature walks or for going on hikes. Pack up the family and head off on an adventure. Encourage the kids to take closer looks at various types of plants; if necessary, snap pictures of unusual plants and look them up later, or bring along a field guidebook for help. Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife, too, and make a game out of spotting them.

Spend Time at the Park

Even if your local park doesn’t have a lot to offer in terms of play equipment, you can still have fun there together as a family. Bring along a frisbee, a badminton set or other types of sports equipment and play a few invigorating rounds together. If you tend to be a competitive family, set up teams and have a championship. No matter what you do, the memories that you create spending time outdoors together are sure to last a lifetime.

Gather Things for an Art Project

One other great way to spend time together outdoors is going on a quest to find things to use in an art project. Whether it’s leaves to use in a collage about the fall or rocks and pebbles to use for a sculpture of some kind, everyone will get into the spirit of things and have a real blast!

Fun Summer Art Projects for Kids

Photo Credit: Amanda Venner

While kids look forward to long, lazy summers all year long, many parents get a little nervous about them. After all, how are you supposed to keep the kids busy, content and happy without the daily regiment of school? There is plenty of great outdoor fun to be had during the summer, but even the most active child in the world is sure to burn out after a while – and rainy days do happen. If you’d like to keep the kids busy during the summer, there are many first-rate arts and crafts project that make doing so a snap. We’ve rounded up some of the very best ones below to kick-start your imagination!

Friendship Bracelets – It’s amazing what a little colored thread can do. Stock up on quality colored thread then look up different techniques for weaving and creating friendship bracelets. This engaging activity can fill up several hours; in the end, the kids will be left with fashionable keepsakes. What’s not to like about that?

Tie-Dyed T-Shirts – Older kids will have a blast creating their very own tie-dyed t-shirts. Bring them along with you when you go to buy the fabric dye; that way, they can select the colors that they like the best. Make sure to give them a large area in which to work, too. Once the shirts are finished, the kids will have something special to wear throughout the summer!

Clubhouses – Whether they build a simple area in the backyard where they can all hang out, or if they create an elaborate clubhouse complete with a roof and a door, the kids will have countless hours of fun designing and building their very own hangout spot. Make sure that the kids are properly supervised if they are going to be using tools. Let them go wild with paint and other decorative touches; it will be one summer that they’ll never forget!

Painted Rocks – Invest in some quality acrylic paints, then have your children go on a scavenger hunt for attractive rocks in and around the neighborhood. Once the rocks are cleaned and dried, they can be painted a wide range of different colors, patterns and designs. Kids will have fun trading with one another, and with building crazy objects out of their multicolored rock creations!

Tray Bird Feeder – Encourage wildlife to spend time in your backyard while giving the kids something fun to do by having them build their own tray bird feeders. Visit the local hardware store to buy some scrap wood, then have the kids create their own designs. Before you know it, a colorful menagerie of robins, cardinals, blue jays and more will be hanging out in your yard!

Outdoor Mural – If you don’t have an old, unused white sheet, go to your local thrift store and buy one. Lay it out flat in the backyard, then arm the kids with various types of paint, paintbrushes and squirt bottles. Let them decorate the sheet however they want. When it’s done, you’ll have a colorful and unique reminder of the summertime that you can cherish forever!

Sand Mosaics – When visiting the beach, have the kids scoop up some sand to bring home. Create designs with glue on construction paper, then sprinkle the sand on it. Shake the sand off, and you have a one-of-a-kind sand mosaic to hang up in any room in the house!

Fun Winter-Themed Crafts

Photo Credit: Heather Katsoulis

Wintertime presents many great opportunities for fun. When the weather’s right, the kids can while away plenty of hours out in the snow. Due to the short days and sometimes inclement weather – including subzero days and gusting wind – the kids sometimes have to spend entire days indoors. One great way to keep cabin fever at bay is giving them plenty of arts and crafts to do. There are hundreds of fantastic ideas out there when it comes to winter arts and crafts; a handful of the easiest and most entertaining examples are highlighted below!

Fleece Hats – During the winter, it’s important to keep your child’s head as warm as possible. Why not turn a necessity into a fun arts and crafts project? Fleece is relatively inexpensive; go to the crafts store and let your child choose a color that he loves. You don’t have to be a professional seamstress to produce a high-quality fleece hat. The best part is, it will always remind your child of having fun with their parent.

Sweater Mittens – After making sure that your child’s head is kept warm and dry, you shouldn’t overlook his hands. A child can never have too many gloves and mittens, which is why making a pair of mittens out of old sweaters is such a swell idea. After all, those old sweaters are just sitting there gathering dust – why not put them to good use? Track down all of the old, unused sweaters in your home and let your child pick the ones that he likes the best. In no time flat, he’ll have a comfy new pair of mittens!

Snowflakes – Everyone loves making decorative snowflakes to put up around the home. The great thing about making them is that they can be simple or elaborate. All you need to make basic snowflakes is some paper, a pair of scissors and some imagination. More elaborate snowflakes can be made using glitter and paint; you could even try your hand at making snowflake window clings! The sky really is the limit when it comes to arts and crafts snowflakes.

Homemade Christmas Cards – One thing that many people put off doing during the holiday season is sending Christmas cards. If you keep forgetting to pick up a pack of them at the store – or if you’d just like to send more personalized ones out this year – why not have your kids make them for you? The little ones will have a blast coming up with their own unique designs; they can create different styles for different friends and relatives, too.

Gingerbread Houses – Who doesn’t love putting together – and eating – a good gingerbread house? These days, you can buy ready-made kits at the store. However, making your own from scratch isn’t terribly difficult. A great shortcut is to use graham crackers, cake frosting and various kinds of candy. No matter how you go about it, your kids will rejoice in creating their very own gingerbread houses!

Sparkling Snow Dough – Play-dough is a staple in the home of any child. There are many topnotch homemade play-dough recipes that you can use to create white play-dough. Mix in some glitter to create sparkling white dough, then turn it into a series of cheerful snowmen. Winter fun doesn’t get much better than that!

Halloween-Themed Crafts for Kids

Photo Credit: Mjiang Credit

If you were to take an informal poll, a huge percentage of kids would say that Halloween is their favorite holiday. With all of the dressing up and candy-collecting, it’s easy to see why! As soon as the weather starts to cool down and fall gets into full swing, you can start revving the kids up for this fantastic holiday by helping them create an assortment of Halloween-themed crafts. Kids love decorating their homes with spooky decorations; with homemade decorations, you can do so without breaking your budget. There are countless ways to put creativity to work; learn a few of them below.

Acorn Pumpkins – Most of us think of full-sized pumpkins when it comes to Halloween time. A cute way to add a little flair to your home during this spooky holiday is by painting and decorating acorns to look like pumpkins. A little bit of paint and some black permanent markets can go a really long way. These pint-sized decorations can be placed just about anywhere!

Paper Bag Trees – Help your kids create a spooky scene by crafting barren trees out of old paper bags. By twisting up a brown paper bag in a strategic way, you can easily create a large number of eerie trees. Place them around the house – or use them as table centerpieces – to add a spine-tingling dimension to the home.

Tissue Ghosts – It’s easy to create ghosts out of white tissue paper. You can stuff them with newspaper and tie a string around them to make them look more interesting. Hang them from overhead lights, cupboards and other areas in the home for a dramatic effect.

Ghost Chair Covers – Track down some old, white pillow cases and let the kids create ghostly faces on them. Slip them over the backs of the chairs in your kitchen to add a cute yet slightly spooky theme to this important area in your home.

Gallon Jug Ghosts – Glowing ghosts are sure to jazz up any home. All you need are some empty, rinsed-out and dried gallon jugs, black permanent marker, scissors and a string of holiday lights to create these eye-catching and attractive accessories. Place them in the front windows of the home or anywhere that you want to cast a mesmerizing spell.

Hanging Bats – Black construction paper, googly eyes and some string can be transformed into a collection of creepy bats. Hang them all around the house to elicit gasps of shock and surprise from visitors. If your kids don’t want to scare people too badly, they could give their bats friendly, smiling faces!

A Spin on Traditional Pumpkin Decorating – Jack-o-lantern carving is a Halloween tradition. However, you could buy a variety of pumpkins in different shapes and sizes and let your kids decorate them with different arts and crafts items. Googly eyes, pompoms, pipe cleaners, stickers, puffy paint and other decorative touches can transform a boring old pumpkin into something truly spectacular!

Pumpkin Toilet Paper Rolls – Wrap a roll of toilet paper in orange fabric, make a stem out of green construction paper and paint a spooky face on it. Ta-da – you’ve created a simple, inexpensive pumpkin decoration for the home. The kids will have a blast creating this fun, one-of-a-kind Halloween craft.