Happy Halloween – Make it Orange, Black and GREEN!

October 21, 2009 | Written By: Healthy Schools Campaign

Today we have a guest blog from Betsy Bigelow Teller, newsletter editor at the Green Schools Initiative

Costumes, candy, and Halloween parties are just ahead.
You may not feel you can get away with slipping organic vegetables into the
trick-or-treater's bags, but you can definitely slip some eco-consciousness
into Halloween this year.

I've got three kids – kids who are full of
enthusiastic ideas about the party I should throw, the costumes they want, and
the various candies we must offer to trick-or-treaters. But
all their great ideas can add up to a mountain of expense and waste (not to
mention tooth decay). Instead, why not try the tips and links below to: a) keep it
green, b)
save money — and best of all, c) save your sanity and have some fun!

• Choose reusable cloth bags for
  trick-or-treating this Halloween. Kids can decorate their own bags with fabric
  markers or paints. For a simpler alternative, re-use a paper grocery bag with
  handles – your child can decorate it with markers and stickers.

• Host a pre-Halloween costume swap with
  friends and neighbors; purchase second-hand costumes; or buy costume raw
  materials at a thrift store and get creative. Avoid vinyl masks and
  plastic/vinyl teeth. No need for plastic — Halloween is scary enough as is!

• Find ideas for greening your school events
  all year long on our website at Green
  Your School Events 

Check the links below for green and healthy costume, party,
and craft ideas that will result in fun without the big expenditures
and sugar overload:?

Mother
Nature Network: Costume Tips and Photos – Cheap, Easy & Green 

About.Com’s
Tips for Greening your Halloween 

Green
Halloween: Healthy & Earth-friendly Holidays 

StopGlobalWarming.org’s
Costume, Trick-or-treating, & Party Tips

Happy (green) Halloween!