Preparing easy-to-make Halloween goodies and crafts is a great way for families to spend time with loved ones of all ages, as well as do something that hearkens back to the Halloween fun our senior loved ones had as a child.
Creativity Come to Life
SPOOKY SPIDERS
Mini chocolate donuts, M&M candies, cake frosting, and pretzel twists are all you need to make spooky Halloween spiders. It’s a project that’s fun for all ages. The donuts make the spider’s body, the curvy pretzels make good legs, and the M&M candies are perfect for eyes. A little bit of frosting can be used to keep the eyes in place, if needed.
PUMPKIN PATCH PUDDING
Pumpkin patch dirt pudding is something that, for many, is just about as fun to make as it is to eat. You will need two packages of chocolate sandwich cookies, some cream cheese, butter, confectioners’ sugar, milk, chocolate pudding mix, whipped topping, 40 mellow crème pumpkins, vanilla frosting, and some green food coloring. Crush the cookies to make the “dirt,” then use icing to create vines and leaves for the pumpkins you’ll spread across this tasty dish.
Sweet, Sugar-Conscious Snacks
There are also plenty of fun and easy Halloween treats for seniors to make even when they are watching their sugar intake or managing diabetes.
WITCHES TEETH
Witches Teeth are made with wedges of apples for the mouth and slices of almonds. Swap out almonds for sunflower seeds for a nut-free option.
SNACK-O’-LANTERN FRUIT CUPS
Snack-o’-Lantern Fruit Cups are a festive way to serve a health-conscious dessert. Oranges can be carved to make mini Jack-o’-Lanterns. Fill them with your favorite fruit to make a healthy snack!
FROZEN BOO-NANA POPS
Dip frozen bananas into white chocolate to make ghostly figures called Frozen Boo-nana Pops. Add a popsicle stick for a handle and chocolate chips for eyes, and you’re ready to enjoy a Halloween favorite. You can make them even healthier by dipping them in low-fat vanilla yogurt instead of chocolate, and suddenly you have a tasty treat that totals less than 100 calories a serving!
Halloween Activities for Seniors and the Whole Family!
The Food Network has a page full of Halloween-themed food projects that are perfect for seniors to make with the grandkids and other family members. A few treat ideas include ghosts made of marshmallows and chocolate-dipped strawberry pumpkins. For even more Halloween recipes, check out the Greatist.com!
These projects are ideal for family bonding because projects that cater to seniors’ dexterity are often also perfect for children’s small fingers!
Snacks and Halloween Activities for Seniors that Nourish the Mind & Body
Seniors living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia respond well to activities involving food. Making snack time fun is a great way to stimulate their minds. But don’t just limit yourself to food-related activities.
JACK-O’LANTERN CANDY CUPS
It’s easy to make decorative candy-collecting containers with a plastic cup and some construction paper, such as these fun Jack-o’-Lantern cups.
TOILET PAPER ROLL MUMMY
A used toilet tissue roll and some gauze can be fashioned into a scary mummy. First, paint the tube black with tempera paint. Next, use some plastic, beady eyes that you can get from your local craft store, and then just use some white glue to hold everything together.
GINGERBREAD HAUNTED HOUSE
Put a twist on classic holiday gingerbread houses with these fun Halloween-themed kits! Gingerbread houses allow you to make a one-of-a-kind piece with multiple options for colors, shapes, and candies. You can find gingerbread house kits at many stores and online retailers.
Find more ways to enjoy the fall season by visiting Bethesda’s Senior Living blog.
