Ten ways to celebrate Halloween at home

IT'S that time of year again - when old dress-up clothes resurface and pumpkins suddenly become the best selling veggie. If you're looking for a new way to celebrate Halloween, check out these tips.

Kids hit the streets of South Penrith "Trick or Treating"

IT'S that time of year again - when old dress-up clothes resurface, shopping trolleys are filled with lollies and pumpkins suddenly become the best selling veggie.

If you're looking for a new way to celebrate Halloween, check out these tips:

1. Host an outdoor movie marathon and screen the scariest movies your age group can deal with
For kids, films like Monsters Inc, Casper, The Witches and Hocus Pocus are the right level of scary without causing nightmares. Over 18? Try What Lies Beneath, The Ring, The Sixth Sense or go for classics like The Shining, The Exorcist and Nightmare on Elm Street. Why not set the scene with a gory Halloween feast, too?

More: How to create an outdoor cinema

2. Go camping and tell ghost stories
Make it as creepy as you dare; set up a tent in the safety of your backyard and have the kids huddle around a witch's cauldron to cast spells. Or, if you're game, head to a remote camping spot armed with your creepiest tales and prepare to freak each other out. Random animal noises and moonlight make this a sure fire way to create your very own Blair Witch Project.

3. Buy a couple of pumpkins and carve up some Jack-o-lanterns
Stay safe and fill with LED lights or small flameless candles rather than lit tea lights. If carving's not your strong point get out the paint or glue on some gruesome features like googly eyes. If you're after a stylish look, try painting small pumpkins in pastel colours or dipping the bases in gold glitter. Tres chic.

More: How to make a jack-o'-lantern

4. Skip the theme parks and set up a ghost train in your hallway
Darkness is mandatory, then have fun with flashing lights, creepy (fake) crawlies, haunted sounds and ghoulish unidentified furry creatures and slime. Don't have a hallway? Try a spare room or closet (bonus treats for those who can stay inside the longest!)

5. Get the whole family involved in dress ups
How? Try a theme for the whole family and get the pets involved. Imagine the dog in a glow-in-the-dark skeleton outfit. That's right, a mini skeleton running around your garden!

Kids hit the streets of South Penrith "Trick or Treating"

6. Put a tape recorder or a baby monitor in a jack-o'-lantern and talk to guests or passers-by
The pumpkin is ALIVE! This works equally well when placed in any Halloween prop.

7. Get on board with the tradition of bobbing for apples
If filling a bucket and dunking your head in water isn't so appealing, thread string through the centre of apples, tie them to a washing line and try biting them off with your hands tied behind your back. Spare apples? Make toffee apples for treats.

More: Halloween toffee apples

8. Make your costume from everyday items and spend the money on lollies instead!
Think about clothes you already have that can be turned into something magical with a few clever and cheap twists. That stripy t-shirt, old reading glasses and $2 stage makeup kit? Easy, Where's Wally. A black dress, the kid's toy snakes and a can of grey hair spray? Did somebody say Medusa? You get the gist.

9. Make a Halloween Piñata, Arachnophobia-style
Instead of treats, fill with hundreds of tiny toy spiders. Perhaps make another one filled with treats to avoid complete disappointment.

More: How to make a Halloween Black Spider Piñata

10. For instant movie-worthy effects, get some dry ice
Fill up a vessel for some table top fog, or try putting some outdoors for a super spooky yard.

For more spooky tips, head to homelife.com.au