Hallowe’en

DIY Halloween Costumes

For many of us, Halloween falls in school half term again for many of us. So, why not start a fun project with the kids to make their own simple Halloween costume? Gill from GillyMac Designs share how to create a Wicked Witch outfi t and a Scary Spider costume to cover all spooky eventualities!

Tie-dyeing is the cornerstone of all good homemade costumes. I love it and I haven’t met a child who doesn’t feel the same! Washing machine dyes are easy to use, create no mess and kids are excited to see their creations appear so quickly.

Wicked Witch Costume

For budding witches, you will need the following to make the outfi t: Any fabrics you have to hand; 1m of 2cm wide elastic;

Elastic bands; Dye; A light-coloured cotton t-shirt.

Whilst I have used old netting and some sparkly voile as fabrics, old scarves or shirts are great for this project.

How to make If the t-shirt is new, wash it fi rst. Then with as many elastic bands as you can manage, start to twist and fold the t-shirt fabric, securing with the bands. It is important that the bands are really tight and you use as many as possible as this will ensure the dye creates clear patterns in the fi nal garment. Now wash the t-shirt with the dye (using the manufacturer’s instructions) and fi nally wash again with soap to remove any residual dye.

For the witch’s skirt: 1. Cut strips of your fabric twice as long as you would like the skirt to be and then add 5cm to this length. The width of your strips should be around 10cm. 2. Fold a strip in half and place it underneath the elastic. 3. Now bring the cut ends of the strip over the top of the elastic and between the fold. Pull the fabric and it will tighten around the elastic. 4. Continue adding more strips until the elastic starts to fi ll up. 5. Wrap the elastic around your child’s waist to test the size. 6. When you have enough of the elastic

covered in fabric, cut the elastic ends back to the required length and secure by sewing, tying the ends together, or even with a safety pin. Once put together, the wicked witch outfi t could be accessorised with stripy tights and a hat.

Scary Spider Costume

For scary spiders, you will need the following: 3 pairs of black socks More old socks A light coloured cotton t-shirt for tie-dyeing OR a black t-shirt or dark shirt Dye (if you are tie-dyeing) Safety pins or needle and thread or glue gun

How to make If you are tie-dyeing, use t-shirt and follow instructions for witches costume above. Then: 1. Stuff three pairs of black socks with more (old) socks, or anything lightweight, maintaining the curve at the ankle. 2. Attach the stuff ed socks to the back of the t-shirt using safety pins, a glue gun or by sewing them. 3. Make sure the legs are all facing the right direction. Accessorise the outfi t with black leggings, or with a pair of jeans and spiky hair! Gill from GillyMac Designs teaches children and adults to sew via her in-person and online classes. Gill has won national awards for her work with children and was recruited to teach classes for Liberty of London and works nationally for the Quilters Guild of the British Isles. Follow GillyMac Designs at www.gillymacdesigns.com, or on Facebook and Instagram where she shares more tie-dye, Halloween, and small sewing project ideas.

Bonfi re Night Safety

Did you know that sparklers burn at 200 Degrees Centigrade - 5 times hotter than cooking oil?

Whether you’re planning sparklers in the garden or a full-blown bonfi re and fi reworks, here are some simple tips to keep you safe this Bonfi re Night.

Sparklers should not be given to children under 5

Keep a bucket of cold water outside in case of burn injuries

Children can be sensitive to loud noises, consider investing in a pair of ear defenders.

If you are planning to let off fi reworks, consult the Firework Code at www.rospa.com

Keep pets indoors. Animals have acute hearing and loud noises disturb them

Remember, the safest way to celebrate Bonfi re Night is to attend an organised display

Remember, Remember the 5th of November…!

Your Guide to Guy Fawkes Night By Olivia Malaure

Gunpowder, treason, and plot I see no reason why gunpowder treason Should ever be forgot.

The ‘plot’ was simple - to blow up The Houses of Parliament with barrels of gunpowder hidden in its cellar.

Guy Fawkes was given the job of lighting the fuse but, on the 5 November 1605, the plot was discovered and he was taken to the Tower Of London and executed. To celebrate his own survival, King James 1 ordered his people to light a great bonfi re every year on the night of 5 November.

Many local venues and schools may be holding organised fi reworks displays but if the idea of being outdoors with very young children on a cold November evening sends a chill down your spine, here are some ideas to help you enjoy Bonfi re Night at home.

Start with a Bang: Kids love listening to the popping of microwave popcorn that they can munch on.

Add some Colour: Make a rocket! Wrap silver paper around an empty kitchen roll tube and stick down. Cut out a circle of coloured card (approx 9cm) and make a cone shape. Tape the cone to the top of the cylinder. Decorate the cylinder with stickers and stick strips of red or orange cellophane to the bottom for fl ames. Kids can fl y their colourful creations around the garden!

Bonfi re Baked Potatoes: Cook up edible bonfi res! Fill jacket potatoes with childfriendly toppings. Sprinkle some Red Leicester cheese on top for fl ames, or put the fi re out with a spoonful of creme fraiche on top!

Light Up the Night Sky: Kids love torches and they’re a fun, safe way for them to play in the dark and enjoy the atmosphere of Bonfi re Night.

MAOAM’s Top Hall owee n Prankswith Max

Hi folks. Max here! I’m the green guy you see on your bags of MAOAM and the (self-appointed) Master of Mischief.

Believe me, making mischief is good for the whole family. Scientists have proven it! Kids that are encouraged in mischievous play, grow up more imaginative, free-spirited and fun-loving. So today, I’m sharing some of my favourite Halloween pranks for the whole family. Let the mischief commence!

Spider Scare

Cut out a fake spider from paper and stick it inside a lampshade. Then, just wait for someone to turn on the lamp… surprise! On MAOAM’s Mischief Hub, my pals Dick and Dom will show you how it’s done – just google MAOAM.fun.

Creepy Sock Puppet

These aren’t just any old sock puppets. These are stinking scary ones! Grab some old socks. For the eyes, attach two delicious MAOAM Pinballs with glue and you’re ready for some spook-tacular mischief. Remember, these Pinballs are decoration only!

The Trick & Treat

Get ready to prank those little monsters in style. Grab a plastic bowl. Cut a hand-sized hole in the bottom. Get a large personsized box. Cut a hole out the top of the box and place the bowl on top. Now for the sweets. Grab a few packs of MAOAM Stripes and pour them into the bowl. Wait in the box, wearing gloves, for a victim - I mean, trick or treater… When they grab a few Stripes, stick your hand through! Mwahahaha.

Spooky Hot Dog Fingers

Bring some extra scares to dinnertime by adding chopped onion pieces to your hot dogs. Just like that, your hot dogs become spooky fingers. Add one to the kids’ lunchboxes for an un-boo-lievable surprise.

Blood for Water

Re-vamp your bathroom with this ghoulish trick! Place red food dye gel around the tap. When turned on… gasp…the kids will think real blood is streaming from it!