I painted teeth across my lips and tried to make the skull as realistic as possible. When they were closed they looked like empty sockets. I painted my eyelids black and even put on eyeliner (first) to completely cover my eyes. I pulled out my anatomy book to help me paint my face like a skull. Reuse old decorations, preferably non-vinyl, from previous Halloweens.A big piece of black fabric, a brooch to pin it on, some makeup and black clothes make for a great last-minute Grim reaper costume.Use outdoor solar lanterns and old white sheets to create ghosts that seem to float in midair as they light up your walkway.You can make a paper mâché face for it as well! Stuff old clothes with leaves and place them outside.Cut and paint egg cartons to make bats and spiders or use toilet paper rolls to create a whole host of characters, like witches, scarecrows, and mummies.Vinyl wall stickers can contain regulated phthalates, such as the Disney Wall Art set we tested which contained 16% regulated phthalates. If you can’t find organic candy locally, try .ĭecorations: Decorating for Halloween shouldn’t bring unnecessary toxics into your home. Oatmeal cylinders or ice cream cartons can transform into candy totes.Decorate a paper grocery bag with construction paper.Use old pillow cases or reusable shopping bags.Leave potentially toxic bags and one-time use plastic buckets on the shelf. Trick or Treating:Ten percent of the products we tested contained levels of bromine consistent with brominated flame retardants, including two Disney-themed Trick-or-Treat bags. It’s easy to start if you don’t already compost: break up the pumpkin and layer it with raked-up leaves and other yard waste in an outdoor area. Feed the garden, too! Add your pumpkin to your garden compost bin instead of disposing of it in the trash.The pulp can be steamed for half an hour, then served similarly to squash or used as a base for soups, muffins, quick breads, and pies.The seeds are a great source of magnesium, iron, and protein. Bake for 45 minutes to an hour at 250 degrees. Spice them up with chili powder, curry, or another favorite. Make a Halloween snack: Rinse the seeds, pat dry, and coat with a little oil, or melted butter, and salt.Make a paper mâché mask using an empty milk jug, strips of used paper, wheat flour, and water.Ĭarving Pumpkins:Don’t let all those good pumpkin guts go to waste!.Make your own edible face paint with these recipes.Use face paint and pencils made from clay or other natural ingredients, such as Natural Earth Paint.Halloween makeup may contain heavy metals or ingredients linked to cancer and other health concerns. Makeup and Masks: Vinyl and other plastics are even worse when they cover your or your child’s face. Some old, unwanted clothes can be torn and redesigned into scary ghouls, superheroes, cartoon characters and more.Big cardboard boxes can become almost anything from a robot to life-size legos to a samurai warrior.Turn anything with a handle into a Grim Reaper scythe.Reuse some otherwise less interesting household items for costumes:.
A red flannel shirt is like the Swiss army knife of costumes, enabling you to choose from fisherman, lumberjack, construction worker, and more.
Follow these easy tips to make sure the only thing scaring you and your kids are ghosts and goblins!Ĭreative Costumes:Skip the store-bought plastic or vinyl costumes, especially masks. Don’t let reports of toxic chemicals in face paint and costumes frighten away your fun on Halloween.