Put that bite sized Snickers bar down....

and step away from your kids' trick or treat bag. I don't know about you, but all 'dieting' rules get thrown out the window when there is a surplus of candy in my house. And with two fully functioning trick-or-treaters in my house the amount has doubled this year. I have to keep reminding myself that just because the bars are smaller does not mean that I can eat three times as much (she types as she opens another peanut butter cup).

Here is a link with some suggestions on what to do with all the extra Halloween candy. It might be helpful for all of you, but as far as I'm concerned, there will be no 'extra' candy by tomorrow afternoon. Just extra wrappers.

Simpler Living: 5 things to do with extra Halloween candy

More Kids Stuff for Halloween

Here is a list of some more stuff to do for Halloween with the kids spanning over the next two weekends.

What: Monster Mash & Bash
Where - New York State Museum

When: October 24, 25, and 31^st, Noon - 4PM
Cost: $2.00 Admission

Extra Info: Be sure to wear your costumes for a parade around the museum each day at 1pm. There will be face painting and other Halloween style fun… with a special guest from the Smile Monster (smilemonster.com on 10/25 and 10/31). Ages Toddler – 10 years. If you are an adult (duh!), check out the spooky haunted house they have for you.

____________________________________________

What: Halloween Hayride

Where: Ellms Farms, Ballston Spa

When: Friday and Saturdays in October from 7-10pm

Cost: $8.50, online registration required

Extra info: This ride is designed for everyone, so it’s not haunted. Cider and donuts included. If you can’t do the hayride, Ellms Farms has a ton of stuff to do. Check out their jumping pillow, corn maze, and moo-moo-choo-choo. One of my family’s favorite places to go this time of year.

What: Halloween Trick or Treat

Where: The Children’s Museum at Saratoga

When: October 31^st, 1:00PM – 4:30 PM

Cost: $5 for children, adults are free.

Extra Info: Children can trick or treat around the museum and then do join in on some games and activities. Children and adults are encouraged to come in costume. The museum will not open until 1pm on that day.

What: Malloween

Where: Crossgates Mall

When: October 31^st, 12-3pm

Cost: Free

Extra Info: Safe trick or treating for the kids hosted by Radio Disney
__________________________________

What: Halloween Trick or Treat

Where: The Children’s Museum at Saratoga

When: October 31^st, 1:00PM – 4:30 PM

Cost: $5 for children, adults are free.

Extra Info: Children can trick or treat around the museum and then do join in on some games and activities. Children and adults are encouraged to come in costume. The museum will not open until 1pm on that day.

What: Halloween Open House
Where: Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
When: October 31st, 1-3:30 PM
Cost: Free

Extra Info: Family fun combining the magic of nature AND Halloween.

APL Monster Mash

Another Halloween event for your little ghouls. We were at the library earlier today and saw the staff setting up the room. It was so cute. It looked like teachers setting up the high school gym for a homecoming dance. They were actually hanging up a DISCO BALL! I vowed then not to miss this party. I wonder if they rent the ball out as well. Happy Haunting.

Here is the info. from the Albany Public Library website:

Looking for a fun, free, safe Halloween event for your kids this year? Then head on over to the Main Library on Oct. 23 for our Monster Mash Halloween Bash!

Join us at 161 Washington Avenue from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, for this fun event for children and their families. Everyone is encouraged to wear a costume and enjoy:
• Ghostly tales for a family audience by Mary Murphy, a local writer and storyteller
• Dracula’s dance party where kids can do the Monster Mash, Thriller dance, and more
• Scavenger hunt to find Halloween memorabilia around the library
• Kooky crafts and face painting
• Bounce house for the little kids
• Kid-friendly Halloween short films and movie clips
• Ghoulish goodies and treats for everyone (Hannaford is our hospitality sponsor for this event)

The Halloween party takes place after regular library hours. Lots of library staff and volunteers will be on hand to help families make the most out of their time at the Monster Mash. Please join us for the festivities!

Haunted Bookstores

Here are what Border's and Barnes and Noble are doing for Halloween. I'm always on the lookout for things that allow me to get my money's worth out of these costumes.

Borders

Kids Halloween Spooktacular

October 24, 2009 2:00 PM

Albany - Borders
1 Crossgates Mall Rd.
Albany, NY 12203

Bring the whole family to celebrate Halloween with fun games, spooky music, scary crafts and more! Ask a bookseller for more details.

__________________________________

Barnes & Noble

More Halloween!

Storytime
Join us for Halloween fun as we read stories about masks, make our own masks, and do face painting following storytime!

Friday October 30, 2009 11:00 AM

Colonie Centre
131 Colonie Center Suite 355, Albany, NY 12205, 518-438-1728

________________________________________

Halloween Is Here!

Storytime
Trick or treat, the big day is finally here! Join us for stories of masquerades and other Halloween adventures! We will make paper plate masks following storytime!

Saturday October 31, 2009 11:00 AM

Colonie Centre
131 Colonie Center Suite 355, Albany, NY 12205, 518-438-1728
_______________________________________

Campfire Ghost Stories

The Brown Lady

"Specters, Strange Sights, and Visions"

What: 200 year old ghost stories told around a campfire.

Where: Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site (32 Catherine St in Albany)

When: Saturday, October 10th, 5:30 - 7pm

Cost: Free ($2/person donations are appreciated)

From their brochure:

Do you believe in ghosts? The people of the 18th century did! Join us around the campfire as we read the same ghost stories that our Founding Fathers woud have over 200 years ago! We will examine what visions of "specters" and "appartions" tell us about the lives and beliefs of early Americans.

Mulled cider and refreshments will be served. BYO blankets or lawn chairs.

For more information call 518- 434-0834.

(Event will move inside if the weather gets nasty... seating will be limited)

The Haunted Capitol

Halloween is here and it's time to get spooky. I don't know how appropriate this is for little ones, but adults might really enjoy this. The OGS is offering a free 'Capitol Hauntings Tour' which allows you to explore the spooky legends and history of the historic capitol building.

Hours:

Daily tours will begin on Monday, October 5. They will be offered Monday through Friday at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., until October 30. Evening tours will be offered on October 21-23 at 7 p.m. and on October 27-30 at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday tours will be offered on October 17, 24 and 31 at 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Due to the popularity of this event, those interested in participating in the tours are asked to reserve a spot by calling 473-7582.

You can find out more information by going here.