Are you planning a fall festival or harvest party? Whether you’re planning one for your church, school, or small group of close friends, these types of celebrations are an excellent way to gather with your friends and community to ring in the autumn season. A key element to a successful harvest party or fall festival is the party games available for kids to play, many of which are variations of carnival games. To help with your planning, I’ve compiled a list of a few fun and easy to organize games ideas for your upcoming harvest party or fall festival.

Party Games for Your Harvest Party or Fall Festival

Try to ring the pumpkin: Create a small pumpkin patch by lining a few rows of pumpkins. Tie pieces of rope into rings, and have older kids toss the rings and try to loop a pumpkin stem. You can modify this game for younger kids by allowing them to try “catching” an entire pumpkin with a hula hoop.

Collapse the can pyramid: Prepare for this game in advance by covering ten empty soda cans with construction paper. Remove the tabs from the tops so they will stack. Build the pyramid by lining up four cans on the bottom, then stack three on the next row, then two, and finally one can on top. Mark a line about 8 to 10 feet from the can pyramid. Have each child player take a turn by standing on the line and throwing a softball at the pyramid. He or she wins if the pyramid collapses.

Plan a pumpkin relay race: You need a large pumpkin for each team. Mark a start and finish line beforehand. Have the children line up with half of the team on the start line and the other half at the finish line. When the whistle blows, the first racer from each team must turn the pumpkin on its side and roll it the finish line. Once the finish line is crossed, the next child in line is tagged and has to roll it back to the other end. This continues until all the members from one team have had a turn. This game may be modified for indoors if you use small pumpkins.

Host a balloon stomp: This game requires some preparation because you have to blow up a large amount of balloons in advance, depending on the number of kids you expect to play. Create prize tickets and stuff them in about 1/4 of the deflated balloons. Blow up all the balloons, including the ones with the tickets inside, and spread them around a room or confined area before the children arrive. Allow each child to pop their choice of two balloons. They win a prize if one of the balloons they stomp has a prize ticket in it.

Feed the pumpkin (or turkey): Make a wooden cutout of a large pumpkin or turkey. Make sure to cut a large hole for the mouth. Give each child player three bean bags or plastic balls and have them try to “feed” the pumpkin (or turkey) by tossing them inside the mouth opening.

Find a lucky duck: Fill a baby pool or large aluminum tub with water. Place floating plastic ducks, the type used as bath toys, in the tub. Use a permanent marker to write “Winner” on the bottom of a few of the ducks and mix them in with the rest.  Allow each player draw a duck from the water. If the child picks a lucky duck that says “Winner”, he or she gets a prize.

Organize a toy swap meet: Notify parents and children in advance that there will be an optional toy swap at the fall festival or harvest party. Ask that each child who chooses to participate in the swap bring a toy. Set up a drop-off point at the entrance and give the child a swap ticket for each toy he or she brings. Collect the toys until a designated time, and then open the toy swap to all the kids who brought something to swap. The child may exchange a toy for every swap ticket. This is a great fall festival game to play with groups of people who may have things to give but not much money to spend.

You can find other games and activities for kids like these at Creative Kids Ideas.

A great way to celebrate the change of seasons with your children is to make a craft together. Since fall is on its way, today’s craft project is one that embraces the fall festival and harvest time theme. Read below to learn how to make this scarecrow craft with your young kids.

Craft supplies you will need to make this scarecrow:

• Paper plate
• Yellow construction paper
• Large googly eyes
• Brown foam board or construction paper
• Twine or string
• Markers or paint
• Craft glue
• Scissors

Here’s how to make the scarecrow craft:

1. Have the child color or paint the paper plate. This craft project is meant to spark the child’s imagination, so let him or her choose whatever color they want. There’s no rule scarecrows can only come in certain shades!
2. Set the plate aside to dry for a few minutes and work on the accessories.
3. In the meantime, help the child measure and cut out 1-inch thick strips of construction paper. You will need approximately 10 of them. Designing scarescrow hair is not exact science, so this may vary slightly depending on the hairstyle you choose.
4. Help the child draw a small hat on a piece of foam board or construction paper and cut it out.
5. Make the scarecrow’s nose by also cutting out a small triangle.
6. Cut a piece of twine or string for the mouth, about 6 inches long.
7. Once the plate is dry, show the child how to layer the strips of construction paper to form hair for the scarecrow. Glue them to the plate and trim the ends as necessary.
8. Place the hat on top of the hair and attach it with the craft glue.
9. Add the googly eyes, nose, and mouth to complete the scarecrow’s face.
10. Allow kids to add any other finishing touches, like drawing flowers, a crow, bow tie, or other details to their scarecrows crafts.

Do you struggle with trying to find family time? If so, you’re not alone. Busy schedules make time a rare commodity for most people. When kids go back to school and homework and other school activities are thrown into the mix, it becomes even harder to balance it all.  It may be a challenge, but finding time for family fun is not impossible. Here a few creative tips for squeezing in those quality moments with your kids and getting them excited about it, too.

• Switch things up and let older kids take the lead on planning family time. How does this help? Parents can get bogged down with all the boring adult stuff like work, household chores, and paying bills. By the time we’re finished with all those jobs, there often isn’t much energy left to plan yet another event. Family time shouldn’t be another chore on the do-to list. By allowing the kids to play an active role in planning what to do as a family, two important things are accomplished. The kids can work out a lot of the details ahead of time, which saves time that can than be used to enjoy your family time. The other benefit? If your children help come up with the ideas, they will be far more excited about spending time together as a family.

• Plan a date night with your child or children. When adults want to spend extra time with another adult, we plan a date. Why not do the same with your kids once in a while? Any relationship that is important to you requires some effort to build and nurture it. Read Date Night… with Your Kids on Creative Kids Ideas for some creative alternatives for celebrating family night with your children.

• Be selective about how many after-school programs your child participates in and how often he or she attends. Extra-curricular activities can be helpful for teaching kids social skills and developing friendships, when they are done in moderation. Truthfully, it’s far too easy for parents to find themselves spending a lot of time playing chauffeur and carting kids from one activity to another. When kids go back to school and join multiple groups, they get overloaded, parents get overbooked, and there’s little time left to spend together as a family. Instead, encourage your child to limit sports or activities to one or two.

• Remember that family time doesn’t always have to be a planned event. Usually when we think of family time, we think of a specific event or activity that the parents and kids do as a group. The truth is, family time is any time spent together doing anything. Take a cue from kids. They don’t rely on elaborate plans to have fun. They also don’t spend days deciding how to play. They just do it. So, how do you apply this same way of thinking to your time with your family? It’s simple, really. Seize the little moments when they appear. Have you ever walked into the room while your six-year-old was playing and just sat down. grabbed a Barbie doll and joined her? Have you ever caught your teenager shooting hoops in the front yard and challenged him to an impromptu game of horse? Those are both perfect examples of well-spent and unplanned family time.

Family time is an important way to bond and build strong relationships with your children. Don’t let kids going back to school take that away from you. Instead, get creative and make the most of the time you have together!

Here is the follow up story about how Cotton Candy's little girl Taylor got her service dog!!

Watch the amazing story below!

Cotton Candy is Throwing A Contest!

A Birthday photo contest!

(AGES 0-12)

How You Enter:

Email a photo of your child celebrating a birthday to: CottonCandy@CottonCandytheClown.com or HAPPYTLM@CFL.RR.COM and we will submit your photo to this folder.

Voting has started and will end September 15.

How To Get Votes:

Winner will be chosen by votes, so don't forget to send all your friends to our Facebook page!

1. They will have to first "like" our page

and then

2. Write "Vote" under the photo in a comment

RULES:
*You can only vote one time per picture
* Contest open to ALL US Residents

Good Luck Everyone!!!

We are so excited that our friend is in close range of winning this awesome contest! Please join us in supporting her!

Here is the deal: The winner gets $50,000 toward their favorite charity. And guess who the charity is?? Our lovely friends at 4Paws!! If you remember, 4Paws is the non-profit that is providing Cotton Candy's little girl Taylor with a service dog! They leave the first week of August for training to bring their furry friend home!

Training the dogs properly is a long and expensive process. 4Paws only charges the families a portion of the actual cost so that more are able to receive their custom service dog. Cotton Candy's friends and family raised their money in record time for little Taylor.

Now, our friend Erin is SO close to reaching her fundraising goal and she needs your help! The best part? All you have to do is sign up!! And all that costs you is your time.

The other best part about it?? She only needs a fraction of the $50,000 prize that would be awarded to 4Paws. So what does that mean? The remaining amount will be spread out to the remaining fundraising families! This will help SO many people.

Oh my goodness, there is ANOTHER best part!! Erin is SO excited about this that she is offering to give away $100 of her own money to one of the voters!! One person will be chosen at random to win $100! And all you have to do is take a minute or two of your time to vote!

Here is how you do it:

Go to the link below and follow the instructions! Yes, it is *that* easy!!

Help a Charity and enter to Win $100 Click Here!

Thank You so much for stopping by, I hope we helped you find what you were looking for!

Sincerely,

**Please feel free to share your thoughts or add your thoughts by commenting below!!**

Choosing Safety Equipment For Your Child

By Cotton Candy The Clown

The assortment of ride-on toys is wide and extraordinary, and they can be played with both indoors and outside. The thing most often overlooked is proper protective gear; coming in the form of either a helmet or a helmet and pads.

When buying protective gear for youngsters, several things should be considered; the age of the youngster, the style of ride-on toy the youngster will be playing with, where the toy will be used and the speed at which the child will be whizzing along are all elements that will influence the type of protective equipment necessary.

Childrens safety equipment for ride-on toys generally fall into helmet and protective pad families, and not all are produced the same. Helmets do come in different sizes and it is crucial that safety equipment must be correctly fitted.

Ride on toys designed to be enjoyed indoors, such as plush animal ride-ons, rocking horses, small foot-on-floor vehicles and trikes do not require safety equipment.

Generally most foot powered vehicles won't need helmets and protective pads, as those riding these toys are still too small, and the toys themselves can't go too fast. Two noted exceptions to this rule are balance bikes and scooters, and it is strongly advised that helmets are used when using either of these toys. Protective pads are also recommended for scooters.

Helmets are generally made in a similar manner to one another, with a tough plastic shell, protective inner, some sort of head circumference modification, either through removing foam inserts or a rotating dial adjustment, adjustable chin strap, plus ventilation vents on top. Some helmets may also have some kind of visor in front. Helmets do come in size ranges with the littlest helmets being adjustable from 48 to 52 cm.

Children often initially balk at the idea of having to wear a helmet. Helmets designed specifically for young children are bright and attractive with familiar characters so that children will be more likely to want to wear them. Among these is the Thomas safety helmet, the Apex crocodile junior helmet and the Apex pink butterfly junior helmet.

The trend for larger helmets is to be either be more sharply angled with bold splashes of colour or be rounded such as those helmets worm by BMX riders and snowboarders. Although larger helmets are also available with cartoon characters and bright colours. For parents wishing to purchase helmets and pads for their children, there are also a number of great matching sets.

It is always better to err on the side of caution and invest in a properly fitting helmet for children, especially if they will be playing outside on walkways. Even very small tots on their first ride on toys can start learning to wear a helmet and by the time they are racing down streets on their bikes or scooters, wearing a helmet will be second nature.

Thank You so much for stopping by, I hope we helped you find what you were looking for!

Sincerely,

**Please feel free to share your thoughts or add your safety tips by commenting below!!**

Thrifty Ideas for Decorating Your Home

By Cotton Candy The Clown

It used to be that the only thing a homeowner had to do to get his or her home decorated was call the family decorator and hire them. There are a few people out there who still do this. Most of us, sadly, see decorating as being too expensive.

How many people in your life have homes that they haven't "bothered" to decorate their homes because they aren't able to afford fancy decorating items? It is quite possible to decorate an entire home without ignoring your budget! Here are some things that you can do to decorate and save money.

Start small and try not to go overboard. When you start decorating, start with a few pieces that you really like and then build the rest of your scheme around them. Save your money and use it to buy the things you truly love instead of choosing more expensive items that you don't care about as much.

If you go too fast too soon you'll be more likely to feel the "redecorating itch." Truly appreciating your decorations means taking the time you need to find items that are really "you". If you go slowly you'll create a better overall feel for your home.

If owning your own art is something that you must do, create your own original art! What better way to decorate your home than in paintings and sculptures that you have made? The cost of art supplies is usually quite a lot lower than the cost of a finished piece of art.

Making your own art is a great way to spend an afternoon or a weekend. This is a great way to get the whole family involved in your decorating project. Have your children paint, draw and sculpt stuff for their bedrooms. Check out a few "how to draw" books from the library and you're on your way!

Making your own art is a great way to show off your talent and to impress others-think about it, wouldn't you like to say "I made that!" when somebody compliments the dcor of your home?

You probably have a lot of knick knacks and dust catchers and other decorative gifts that people have given you. There are always at least one or two items that we keep hidden until the person who gave them to us comes over to visit us.

Why not just display them all the time? This is a great way to decorate your home while you save up the money you need to buy the pieces that you truly want and that blend in with your decorating scheme. Keeping the items on display will save you a lot of stress because this way you won't have to worry about anything if the person who gave you that crazy statue shows up for an impromptu get together.

You can also look at the classified section in your newspaper or on Craigslist for your local area to find great decorating deals. There are lots of home decorating bargains to be found in these areas.

There are plenty of bargains to be had by surfing these sites — you could find more stuff than you need! Lots of people place their own ads with lists of things they want to find for decorating their homes. This can save you a lot of time because then people can come to you with what they're selling.

Remember to practice common sense! Make sure you inspect the items you agree to buy before you actually hand over any money for them!

You can get fantastic deals when you decide to decorate your house. There are deals to be had both through the internet and offline as long as you don't forget that, just because something is new, doesn't mean that it is better than something older.

Sometimes "used" items can be a goldmine. Every so often a decorator realizes that she already has everything she needs. Once in a while, think about repurposing something that you find on discount somewhere.

If you keep a lookout for them, you can find great sales just about everywhere. Take your time and really search. Just because you don't spend a lot of money doesn't mean that your house can't be the most beautiful home in your neighborhood!

Thank You so much for stopping by, I hope we helped you find what you were looking for!

Sincerely,

**Please feel free to share your thoughts or add your thrifty decorating favorites by commenting below!!**

Be Creative With Your Party Favors

By Cotton Candy The Clown

When considering party favors, most of us think only of weddings. But often, at birthday parties or any social gathering at which the host wants to thank their guests for coming, they are often given. These favors can range from very simple items, such as a small parcel containing a sweet or two, to extravagant gifts. According to history, it was revealed that the first to give favors at parties were the Italian nobility and because of their wealth, they are able to give items made of silver and gold.

The majority of us do not have the money to be able to buy our guests anything extravagant. However, there are simple ways to show your appreciation which do not have to cost a lot of money. Favors can double as place settings if your gathering involves a formal and seated meal. For instance, a miniature champagne bottle can mark a place setting at a wedding and it will have a label displaying the name of the person who is supposed to sit there. Then, all of the guests will have their own cork to pop for the toast.

If your budget allows, you could purchase a small photo frame for each guest at your party. A piece of paper with their names on can be placed inside it. This would then give your guest a keepsake of the event. After the occasion, you can send them a thank you card and you can also include a photo taken at the time for them to place in their frame. This ensures that every guest has something to cherish from your gathering.

If you want to add life to traditional favors, another way to do so is the way in which you display them. If a specific theme is what your party has, then you can incorporate this into their decoration. If the theme of your party is the beach, then how about placing a children's bucket, filled with sand, in the center of each table with the favors placed inside it.

If you are creative you could make bookmarks or embroider handkerchiefs for each guest with their initials on. Also, if your guest are your friends whom you made through a shared hobby, then you can incorporate that into your favors as well. For example, a group of golfers may appreciate a ball or a couple of tees more than chocolate. Doing this will make your guests feel appreciated and valued since this adds a personal touch and remember that your gifts are relevant to your guests.

There is no limit when it comes to party favors and it's up to you what you want to offer your guests. A little bit of imagination and enthusiasm is all you need and it's likely that just for the favor, yours can be the party everyone wants to get invited to.

Thank You so much for stopping by, I hope we helped you find what you were looking for!

Sincerely,

**Please feel free to share your thoughts or add your party favor favorites by commenting below!!**