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Candy Corn Activities
by Gaylene Davis
With 21st century advances, this Halloween you can enjoy your candy corn without the weight. Experiment with using the fun-sized treats in some fun kids' activities and games. And if you really try, you might even burn up a few calories! And keep in mind, October 30th is American candy corn day. You'll be pressed to find a better way to make merry on this special day than with some engaging candy corn games.
Candy Corn Hunts
Children delight in hunting games. Hide ten candy corns in an area – beneath the table, behind the door, on the planter. You may have to throw out a couple "getting warmer/colder" hints to aid in the effort. If you leave them uncovered, even the youngest children will be able to find their bright colors.
If you want to spice up the game, put the candy in little cellophane bags and tie with decorative ribbon. Hide them all around - either inside or out - for a new spin on the Easter egg hunt.
Create a trail of candy corn for children to follow. Lead them through the lawn, or a maze - or through a cluttered house. Depending on the cleanliness of their bedrooms, you might use this game to help your kids find their beds! If you stick a toothpick into the wide end of the candy, you instantly have an arrow. Use the arrows for hints in your hunt.
Target Practice
Try an All Hallow’s Eve spin on the old clothespin drop game. Have children stand on a sturdy chair and drop the candies down into a canning jar. A container with a wider opening, like a bucket or funnel might be better for really young participants, while a 2-liter plastic bottle would present a bigger challenge when the big kids want to show their stuff.
Do you recall Bozo's Grand Prize Game? Make your own using a few small sand buckets. Rename the game after a preferred Halloween character.
- Use a piece of masking tape or a stick to show a boundary line for the participants.
- Number the pails, placing them in a row perpendicular to the line, pail number one being closest.
- Kids line up behind the line and toss candy into each consecutive bucket.
- Keep tally or give out prizes for making it into each pail.
After putting the pieces into a small sealed sandwich bag, have a "corn bag" toss. After playing catch, try aiming at a target or throwing the bags into a container. For extra Halloween fun, sketch a scarecrow face on the front of a box, and cut out openings for his eyes, nose, and mouth. Different points could be awarded for tossing the corn bags through these holes.
Other Fun Stuff
On a even surface like the kitchen floor try some shufflecorn or "bocce corn". One person acts as the referee, sliding out the first piece of candy corn. He then marks this piece with a toothpick. Participants take turns sliding 4 different pieces as close to the referee's mark as possible. The referee identifies which piece is the closest, awarding that player a point. Play until a player gets ten points. To eliminate confusion, try marking each contestant's candy corn differently.
If you really don't mind a mess - try candy corn and frosting sculptures. Obviously, a well covered table or other safe surface is recommended. Thinking about it, maybe this is better done outdoors. Prizes could be awarded for the most extraordinary sculpture, the tallest one, the neatest one -- or maybe the one that looks most like dad.
String candy corn like popcorn. Not only is the activity entertaining, but also you get great decorating material when you're done! Tape several strands in a doorway like a 70's-style beaded curtain. Add an orange lava lamp for a funky Halloween theme. String some through a spooky tree in the yard. Hang it inside like party streamers or use it for jewelry.
Regardless if you are trying to stay away from the sugar calories, looking for entertaining Halloween activities to occupy kids energized about the holiday, or trying to find something to do with all of that surplus candy corn, you can enjoy these guilt-free pleasures.
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