Feeling Spooky?

Halloween is a long-standing tradition. And it's more than treat-or-treats or putting on a mask. Here are some fun activities to share around this holiday -- and some broader insights about this holiday.

CONNECT:
- So where did Halloween begin? Read about its history at http://www.halloweenhistory.org and the History Channel: http://www.history.com/topics/halloween
- Have Halloween fun thanks to Ben & Jerry's:  http://www.benjerry.com/halloween/
- What is the meaning of Halloween symbols? Wikipedia has a good article on that, with several links to specific items: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween
- How is Halloween celebrated around the world? Check out traditions at http://www.jackolanterns.net/traditions.htm
- Dia de los Muertos is celebrated in many parts of the Western Hemisphere. Here is a good site from Arizona about Day of the Dead: http://www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/
- How about reading poetry about Halloween? A good collection is found at http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/417

CREATE:
- Here are some fun recipes for the season. You might even consider giving them as Halloween treats. http://recipes.kaboose.com/holidays/halloween-recipes/halloween-recipes.html and http://allrecipes.com/recipes/holidays-and-events/halloween/
- What's Halloween in the U.S. without pumpkins? Here is a site all about pumpkins, including growing your own: http://www.pumpkin-patch.com/. You can also learn how to carve a pumpkin by exploring http://www.pumpkin-carving.com/
- Why spend money on costumes when you can be creative with items around the home? http://www.robinsfyi.com/holidays/halloween/costumes.htm and http://www.familycorner.com/dir/Family/Holidays/Halloween/Costume_Ideas/
- How about putting on a Halloween party? It's safer than roaming the neighborhood. You can find ideas about planning and games at http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/kids-halloween-party-ideas.htm

CARE:
- Unfortunately, Halloween can led to more tricks than treats. Here are some ways to stay safe at Halloween -- and care for youngsters during this holiday.
http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/
http://www.halloween-safety.com/http://www.halloweenmagazine.com/play.html
- UNICEF has been involved in Halloween since 1950 in helping children in need. Here is some background about their efforts, and how you can participate. Even if you don't want to collect for UNICEF, you kids can design a Halloween character for UNICEF. Check out the details at http://youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat/
- Here's an original way to combine Halloween and the election season: carve political pumpkins! Here are some patterns to inspire you: http://www.spookmaster.com/pumpkin-carving-patterns-browse-political.htm
- It can be hard to talk about death and dying. Here is some good advice: http://www.hospicenet.org/html/talking.html

CAREERS:
Really? Halloween careers? Well, there's Halloween themes at theme parks, costume designer, make-up artist, chef. There's a whole Halloween industry: http://www.ehow.com/how_6310803_job-halloween-industry.html 
You can brainstorm others too. Check out some of the possibilities:
http://www.theartcareerproject.com/get-behind-the-scenes-with-a-costume-design-career/349/
http://education-portal.com/career_information_on_chef.html
http://education-portal.com/articles/How_to_Become_a_Party_Planner_Education_and_Career_Roadmap.html
http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?id=&level=&optstatus=111111111&nodeid=2&soccode=395091&stfips=12
And based on the tradition of All Hallows Evening, there are religious vocations too. Here are a couple of websites for teens:
http://www.ou.edu/religiousstudies/Careers/Careerspage.htm
http://www.religiousministries.com/editorial/index.asp


To Parents:
This set of activities tries to explore a variety of cultural traditions related to Halloween rather than focusing on commercial or occult practices. As your children explore Halloween websites, you should probably do this as a family activity since many different groups will present ideas that may be uncomfortable for your family.

There's No Place Like Home

Ranch houses, apartments, town houses, igloos, tents. They are all houses. Whether you live in a project or housing development or gated community, your home is unique because what is inside: furniture, personal items, AND the people. You can explore your home with new eyes – and improve it.

CONNECT:

Homes come in all shapes and sizes. Explore some of the possibilities below.    

• See how houses reflect people’s culture and geography as shown in these websites: 

http://www.ict.mic.ul.ie/websites/2002/Imelda_Fitzgerald/Homes%20Around%20the%20World-1.htm   http://www.shelterpub.com/_wonderful_houses/wh-toc.html

http://weburbanist.com/2008/09/09/70-amazing-houses-from-around-the-world/

http://www.vikingjorvik.com/

http://www.rom.on.ca/programs/activities/longhouse/longhouse1.php

• Farms are the homes to millions of people around the world. This website presents 150 farm homepages give you a feel for life on the farm in 40 states and 18 countries around the world. http://www.disknet.com/indiana_biolab/farms.htm
• If these walls could talk. 'Within These Walls' is an interactive website that documents the history of a house that has been the home for over five generations to the same family. What is the history of your home? What stories could it tell? You can get some ideas by looking at http://americanhistory.si.edu/house/default.asp
• Furniture helps make a house a home. How has furniture changed over the years – and around the world? Does some piece of furniture in your house look like something in another part of the world or another time? http://www.furniturestyles.net/

• Think small. Imagine living in these small spaces:

http://www.designboom.com/contemporary/tiny_houses.html

 http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/

http://www.thetreehouseguide.com/  (Some of these tree houses are not so little…)

CREATE:

Creativity begins at home. There are lots of items around the house that can be used to show your originality.

• Doing family crafts is a great way to spend time together: http://familycrafts.about.com/
• Take a look at some of these home project; hopefully some of them will inspire you to improve your home: http://pinterest.com/kbkphotography/diy-projects-for-the-home-and-kids/
• Try some creative ways to dress up kids’ rooms -- and have fun recycling: http://www.hgtv.com/decorating/10-creative-yet-simple-projects-for-kids-rooms/index.html
• You can be creative and energy efficient at the same time doing these projects: http://www.alliantenergykids.com/FunandGames/CoolProjects/index.htm

CARE:

It takes a lot of work to take care of a home. And home care involves the whole family.

• Home safety is everyone’s business. How safe is your home? Check it out using http://www.safetyathome.com/
• Energy can be costly, and homes can make big carbon footprints. Use a bit of your own energy with  some  of these ideas to save energy. http://www.mortgagecalculator.org/helpful-advice/energy-saving-for-kids.php
• It’s (practically) never too early to learn basic repair skills. Here are five lifelong skills you can gain: http://shine.yahoo.com/five-basic-home-repair-skills-kids-223800824.html
• Kids can help keep the home in great shape. Here are some starting kid-friendly projects: http://www.bobvila.com/blogs/kid-friendly-diy-projects/
• Many people in the United States are homeless or have very poor housing. Here is what the government is doing about it; see how you can help at http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/fair_housing_equal_opp

CAREERS:

Like to hang around the house? Look at all the jobs it takes to build and maintain a home. Take a look at some of the possibilities:

• Architect http://www.kidzworld.com/article/5966-becoming-an-architect
• Building things: http://kids.usa.gov/teens-home/jobs/building-things/index.shtml
• Home economics: http://voices.yahoo.com/is-career-home-economics-right-you-4269545.html
• Home-centric green careers: http://climate.nasa.gov/kids/greenCareers/index.cfm

PARENTS:

Safety is your first concern. These activities can help your children be more aware of safety issues at home. You can remind them that technology requires awareness of safety issues too.