Broomsticks and Halloween Crafts

Evan’s favorite snacks are pretzels and string cheese. This Halloween-themed snack combines them by using only three ingredients to make broomsticks.

I also wanted to share some of the crafts we put together this year for anyone looking for ideas:

I found the idea for Footprint Ghosts on Crafty Morning. I just made a few minor changes. Instead of cardstock, I painted a small canvas with black acrylic paint. Once it dried, I smeared a light layer of white acrylic paint on a paper plate and coated each child’s foot to make the footprints. I also added handprints (Claire’s is a bit smudged- getting a 7 month old’s handprint can be challenging). Keep wet wipes nearby for quick cleaning. I then drew ghost outlines around the prints with a white marker.

This tree is actually a craft from last year. I painted the base of a tree then added fall colored paint to a paper plate with a q-tip for each one. Evan painted the leaves with the q-tips. Originally from here.

For the pumpkins, I cut an apple in half lengthwise and Evan used it as a stamp with orange paint. I used a green marker to color in the tops and vines. If you want, you can also color in faces. Here is the original.

I don’t generally decorate the house, but am trying to get better. I showed a few ideas to Evan and he picked out this way to add a little Halloween spirit to the bathroom. I used tape to attach the cut out black and white card stock.

Check out these sites for more ideas: My Life and Kids, Thriving Home, and Powerful Mothering.

Of course, not everything has to be complicated. Evan had just as much fun coloring and painting the pumpkins he picked out from the pumpkin patch.

These broomsticks are fairly easy to assemble. The biggest trick is carefully adding the hole for the pretzel. You want it large enough to fit the pretzel or the cheese will tear when you twist it in. Gently tie the chives around the top portion of the cheese. I tied the chive leaf, then wrapped around to tie on the other side.

It was a fun project with Evan, though he did completely disassemble them before eating.

Broomsticks
Adapted from The Kitchen Life of a Navy Wife
9 broomsticks

3 string cheese sticks
9 thin pretzel sticks
9 long chive leaves

 

Cut the string cheese sticks into 3 equal pieces.

In one side of the cheese piece, use one blade of the scissors to gently make a hole the size of the pretzel, about 1/4 inch deep. Gently twist in the pretzel, being careful not to tear the cheese.

Tie a chive leaf around the top, side towards the pretzel, of the cheese. Double tie if desired. Cut off the excess.

Use the scissors to cut the bottom 2/3rds of each cheese piece into 3 strips. Turn and cut the other side into 3 strips.

Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to a day.