Halloween Discussion Forums, Costumes, Horror!

I'm throwing a Halloween party here in Japan and this years party theme is Spiders. I have one game where kids will throw little bean bag spiders into spider web pockets cut into a large board, but I'd like to play one more spider game. Anyone have any ideas?

This is a party for kids K-6. Any advice is appreciated.

Sorry, I don't know any spider games, but I'm curious. Is Halloween gaining popularity in Japan? I didn't know they celebrated at all.

Over the past 10 years it has been growing, but I'd say the last 5 years has been huge.

5 years ago, I couldn't find any Halloween merchandise or pumpkins. (I'm not near any of the really big cities.) Now, stores everywhere are carrying something, local farmers are growing more and more pumpkins, and on-line Halloween shops are popping up in Japanese.

The only things really catching on are decorations for now and the occasional party here and there. There's no trick-or-treat and probably never will be.

About an hour from me there's a Halloween festival. Evidently everyone gets dressed up and they have a haunted house as the main attraction. I've never been but everyone says it's great.

However, everything is done on the weekend before Halloween. I don't think anyone does anything on Oct. 31st (unless that happens to fall on the weekend.)

I run an English school and every year I throw a Halloween party (since 2002.) I get about 60-70 kids coming to the party and most really look forward to it. I've turned quite a few children into Halloween fans.

Here are some pics from last years party if you're wondering what a Halloween party in Japan might look like: 2006 party and the 2005party

Very cool. Thanks for sharing and thanks for spreading the word over there. Keep the faith my fellow Halloweenist.

AWESOME!! Thanks for sharing the pics and for spreading the love...

of Halloween, that is!

Well spider ring toss of course!!!!!!!!! only $4.99 at Oriental Trading

http://www.orientaltrading.com/applicat ... +TOSS+GAME

Wow, those pics are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing! The little hammer and nail costumes crack me up!! I'm going to sprain my pinky fingers from typing all these exclamation points!

How about making a small spider prop with a large opening for it's mouth? Cut out some flies from cardboard and people can toss flies to "feed" a spider. Make one in the mouth and win a prize. Like a spider ring.

Thanks for all of the nice comments I'm just glad you looked at the pictures. Hardly anyone does.

I spend about 2 months gettting Halloween ready and I generally try to
invite a few other Americans so that someone will appreciate the details.
maybe? I've been a bit lazier these past two years since I've been
busier. But, I still try to make each year a bit better than the one before.

The carpenter and tools costume set went over the heads of just about
everyone at the party. We had to get all of us together and explain, but
people weren't that impressed. They loved the Mr. Incredible costume set
though.

We decided to do something like that to show the guests that they can
dress up as anything. I was tired of 35 witches, 15 princesses and 20
vampires.

We'll see if they get a little more creative this year.

mandy0221 wrote:Well spider ring toss of course!!!!!!!!! only $4.99 at Oriental Trading

Thanks! I actually already own one of those and apparently took a big
hit by buying it from some import company. i'm sure I paid twice that
if not more.

I would use that game but I already have two other throwing games.
I'm hoping to look like I have more tricks in my bag, but again thanks
for the suggestion.

I might make a huge spider web out of rope and set it up in the corner.
Then place some spiders on the web. The kids have to climb through the
web and pick up a prize. Then climb out with the prize, all without
knocking off any of the spiders.

The problem is that it's not simple, and the first few kids might destroy it
before the others get a chance to play it. So, it's plan B.

If I can find a better spider game that's easier to get ready, I'd be psyched.

this was my 2004 party That one I actually took the time to write out what we did as
well as post pictures. Please, take a look. This was my favorite year
costume wise . I won't force any more pictures on you. I promise.

I like the web idea. But what if you added a few small bells? Ring a bell and the spider bit you and you loose.

You know those wooden tilt mazes? Turning knobs tilt a small wooden maze and a marble rolls along the maze. The marble is a "fly" and the holes are "spiders". The further along you get through the maze, the better the prize is.

You remember this song? Maybe you can teach it, as well has the hand movements that go with it... At least the children might like it.

The itsy-bitsy spider climbed up the water spout.
Down came the rain and washed the spider out.
Out came the sun and dried up all the rain.
And the itsy-bits spider climbed up the spout again.

Pin the spider to the web? Closest one to the center of the web wins?

What about pin the hour glass on the black widow spider? That one would be pretty easy, and kids could play too!

That baby Yoda might be the funniest thing I've ever seen.

Ohh mesmark those pictures are absolutely adorable!! What a cute group of children - they all look like they're having such a good time, too! They must love your parties

Oh and who is the baby in the pumpkin jumpsuit??? They are the cutest thing I've ever seen!

Where abouts in Japan are you? I'm looking to come and teach English in Japan when I graduate from University in a couple of years - I would love to see one of your Halloween parties in action!

My little girl as Yoda was pretty darn funny

She won the prize for cutest costume

magicbean - I'm in Nagano Prefecture on the outskirts of a medium sized
city. Where I live used to be a small town but it has merged with the
larger city. It's still a small town though. it's pretty quiet with small
mountains and forest all around.

It's great over here. I'm sure you'll enjoy your time teaching. There are a few ways to come over here and teach, but right now the best pay and accommidations are with the 'JET' program.

The baby pumpkin costume has been used at every party we've had.
It's almost like tradition.

We got it when my oldest son (now 6) was a baby and lend it out every
year to anyone with a baby. Last year a Canadian friend of mine put his
kid in the pumpkin suit. Maybe that's the one.

Thanks for all of the game suggestions!