Try My Best Quick and Easy Halloween Ideas
Halloween is a wonderful time to do projects with the grandkids because they’re so excited already. Here are some easy Halloween ideas to try, including this recipe for Creepy Fingers and “Blood” Dip. The grandkids can help to make them for a Halloween party.
For other Halloween ideas that kids will love, make ghostly treats together, create a Halloween diorama, and decorate Halloween cupcakes.
And, if you’re short of a costume, simply turn an orange sweatshirt into a jack-o-lantern.
Make an simple Halloween costume from a sweatshirt.
Creepy Fingers and “Blood Dip”
This is a very easy recipe, but the results are startling and sure to elicit horror!
Creepy Fingers
- 1 package (12 ounces) part-skim string cheese (12 sticks)
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 6 grape or cherry tomatoes, halved lengthwise
To make the fingers: Unwrap one stick of string cheese. With a paring knife, slice a bit off the top of the stick lengthwise to form an indentation for the fingernail bed. Carve the top of the string cheese into a curve to shape the fingertip.
Now with the paring knife, cut shallow crosswise notches in the cheese to make the grooves for the finger and the knuckle. Repeat for remaining cheese sticks. Cut some sticks shorter before forming into fingers so you have different size fingers.
Dab a bit of cream cheese on the cut for the fingernail bed. Affix half a tomato on the cream cheese. Repeat for remaining string cheese sticks.
Makes 12 Creepy Fingers; multiply recipe as needed for a party.
Note: Only an adult should use the paring knife; a child could use a table knife or just help with the assembly.
Make spooktacular Tombstone Cupcakes or Pumpkin Patch Cupcakes.
“Blood” Dip
- 1/2 cup whole blanched almonds, toasted
- 1 can (8 ounces) whole peeled tomatoes with liquid
- 1/2 cup drained, prepared roasted red peppers
- 1/4 cup diced onion
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, halved
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 small slice rustic bread, crust removed, lightly toasted and broken into 6 pieces
- Salt to taste (start with 1/4 teaspoon)
Make a themed Halloween bento lunch or snack.
To make the dip: Put almonds in a food processor or blender and process until very finely ground. Add remaining ingredients except salt and process until quite smooth, scraping sides of container as needed. Season with salt.
Makes about 2 cups dip.
Recipe is an adaptation of Romesco Sauce from Almond Board of California.
“Blood” Dip Notes:
This recipe may yield more dip than you need, depending on how many Creepy Fingers, you are making.
You can:
- Use it also as a dip for crudités or poached shrimp for your Halloween party.
- Serve leftovers over grilled chicken or fish.
- Freeze leftovers up to three months in an airtight container.
To toast almonds: Put almonds in a single layer on a sheet pan and toast in a preheated 350-degree F oven. Stir every 5 minutes until nuts are golden and fragrant, about 10 to 12 minutes total. Watch carefully towards the end to prevent burning. When nuts are done, transfer to a separate pan to cool; nuts will continue to cook if left in the heated pan and may begin to burn.
Make a spooky Halloween diorama.
For more Halloween ideas, check out my Pinterest board (login to Pinterest required), where you’ll find a curated collection of clever and fun Halloween projects to do with the grandkids.
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