The most wonderful thing about children is the pure excitement for just about everything! Throw in a holiday that centers around dress-up and make believe, heroes and villains, carving faces in vegetables you don’t have to eat, and of course – free candy and it’s through-the-roof exciting. Halloween may just be one day for many, but for kids, they wait all year for this! This is a great time to jump on that excitement bandwagon as a parent or caregiver with kids, and start creatively making some Halloween-themed treats. Whether for their school friends, handing out to the neighborhood children, or just enjoying at home. Baking and creating goodies with kids is one of my personal favorite things to do – because it’s essentially a craft! Just not one you have to hang on the fridge for six months until you finally sneak it into the trash, hoping they won’t notice. This craft, you get to eat, so it cleans itself up. Well, just not the kitchen. Good luck with that.

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1. “Boo”Nanas

This one is for the health-conscious, trying to sneak in some of nature’s candy into the holiday. A frozen banana dipped in a light coating of white chocolate will be a hit especially for toddlers. Not to mention the fact that white chocolate is a whole lot easier to clean off a child’s face than milk chocolate is. Oh my, I’m having some really bad flashbacks of those messes.

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2. Monster Cookie Bar

I abso-freaking-lutely LOVE this idea. It gives the kids a chance to be a part of the creative process with each of their own little imaginations, style and touches. You also simply cannot mess up a monster face. 20 eyeballs? You got it, kid.

https://www.babble.com/best-recipes/monster-cookie-bar/ Photo by: Babble

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3. Donut Pumpkins

Yaaaaay! No baking required!! This easy DIY treat you can pick up all the supplies for and be ready to go the second you get home. Plus, who doesn’t love mini donuts?

http://www.itsalwaysautumn.com/2015/09/15/donut-pumpkins-fun-easy-kids-halloween-food-craft.html Photo by: It’s Always Autumn

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4. Halloween Brownie Bites

Brownie bites are another easy store-bought item you can hack with the kids into many different Halloween treats! Give them the supplies, and let them get inspired by these great ideas.

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5. Witch Hat Surprise Cookies

With chocolate sugar cones and oreos, you can fill the hat with whatever candy you or the kids choose! Super easy, even the tiniest of hands can be of assistance.

http://www.thismamaloves.com/halloween-treat-recipe-witch-hat-surprise-cookies/ Photo by: This Mama Loves

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6. Sugar Wafer Frankensteins

Whether they make them sweet or scary, these will be easy and fun to make, and very cost friendly, since those wafer cookies come in large packs!

http://www.shakentogetherlife.com/2016/09/sugar-wafer-frankenstein-cookies-halloween.html Photo by: Shaken Together

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7. Monster Donuts

I realize this is a second donut hack, but I’m not going to apologize, because…donuts. Also because these are wildly hilarious and the kids have something fun to keep after they enjoy their treat!

http://onelittleproject.com/halloween-monster-donuts/ Photo by: One Little Project

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8. Creepy Crawly Sandwiches

Looking for more of a meal option rather than a treat option? Have the kids help you whip up lunch with these monster sandwiches!

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9. Frankenstein Marshmallow Pops

Anything that requires dipping, kids will 100% be in on. They are dipping pros. Every breakfast lunch and dinner? Dips. They’ve been training for this, time to bring them in!

http://www.justataste.com/halloween-frankenstein-marshmallow-pops-recipe/ Photo by: Just A Taste

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10. Rice Krispie Pumpkins

Thank goodness for rice krispie treats – the stove top simple recipe you can do off the top of your head (or the side of the cereal box for you rookies). This version uses a mini bundt pan to press and shape into pumpkins. Genius!

http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/1020601/pumpkin-shaped-rice-krispies-treats-recipe Photo by: She Knows

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11. Mad Scientist Jello Syringes

There’s a turning point in every child’s life where the syringes they see early on are something to be feared and avoided become something super cool. Fill them with jello and that just encourages the super-coolness of needles. Have the kids help mix and fill these bad boys and share with their friends!

http://livingtothefullest.com/mad-scientist-jell-o-syringes/ Photo by: Living To The Fullest

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12. Spider Infested Chocolate Chip Cookies

Really easy for kids to be involved in mixing and rolling, and then maybe the older kids (or in many cases, the adult) can do the fine little lines at the end. Collaborative efforts so everyone can take credit!

http://hungryhappenings.com/2013/09/gross-Halloween-food-spider-cookie-recipe.html/ Photo by: Hungry Happenings

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13. Skewered Eyeballs Treat

The grosser, the better it seems when it comes to kids. This is why Halloween is their jam. So eyeballs on a stick (don’t cringe) are exactly what the event calls for.

http://eighteen25.com/2015/09/skewered-eyeballs-halloween-treat/ Photo by: Eighteen 25