We used to have fun decorating the miniture pumpkins (really gourds) - especially making "pumpkin people". You can use markers, paint, stickers, yarn, fabric scraps, etc. Those are pretty inexpensive and very festive.
At our church (school really frowns on Halloween parties) we play games and hand out small prizes. We also have cookie decorating and coloring stations, and play dough went over well (well, once we got the "little ones" to not eat it!)
Alergies have made so many things and events we never really worried about before to real conserns...sucks, it's effected where I shop! (seafood allergy-- the smell alone makes triggers a migraine!)
My son's 1st grade teacher did a great "fall day" and they did a ton of fun things like made animal prints in plaster of paris, set up and took down a small pup tent and the kids got their photo taken--it was a real nature theme...crayons and leaf rubbings...no candy at all....d
I'm trying to think of ways to celebrate Halloween in the classroom that aren't so centered around candy and junk. We have a number of kids who have health issues pertaining to food. I want this to be a fun day for them and not a ,"I can't have that " day. The teacher has said we will have a pizza party instead of all the candy. I thought of making goody bags with crayons, play-doh, books, stuff like that. Any ideas for really fun games or gifts???? Thanks!