The 'hood Magazine October 2022

TOO MUCH SCREEN KIDS?

not meant to use computers and digital many children spending hours and hours understand how this can impact vision.

happens with prolonged use of screens. The term to close-up work experienced using electronic headaches, neck and shoulder pain, blurry vision, and

lighting conditions, screen glare, improper combination of these factors.

related activities with your kids. If screen time is a do to alleviate eye strain.

ADJUST LIGHTING

Room lighting should be the same as the brightness of the screen.

REDUCE GLARE

Adjust device settings or use blue light filtering glasses to decrease the amount of light reflected from the screen. Also, physically rotate the device to get rid of reflections.

SCREEN TIME RECOMMENDATIONS BY AGE

Here are the guidelines we recommend for daily screen time limits by age group.

0-2 YRS

NONE

None except video chat with an adult.

2-5 YRS <1 HOUR

Less than 1 hour per day of active screen time. Little-to-no passive screen time.

6-12 YRS <2 HOURS

No more than 2 hours per day. Establish positive habits and encourage active screen time.

TEENS 2 HOURS

Focus on healthy limits for social media use, playing games and watching videos.

ADULTS

2-4 HOURS

Keep it to a limited amount of recreational use per weekday. Take frequent screen breaks and set screenfree time blocks. Make time for physical activity.

ANNUAL EYE EXAMS

Be sure to get a comprehensive eye exam annually to make sure your child’s eyes are healthy and coping with any symptoms associated with CVS. The sooner you detect and treat a vision problem, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful.

It’s Party Time!

I know party planning, especially birthday parties, can be a lot of work as a parent! My kids both have summer birthdays, and we did two types of parties this year! Jaxson was all about heading to Galaxy Gaming and having Pizza Ranch delivered, while Khloe wanted a big backyard birthday bash with an inflatable from Bounce Around Inflatables and Snow Cone Machine from ABC Rentals. Nate gives me a hard time that I go overboard, which I do. But I love celebrating birthdays in our house and it doesn’t matter if it is the kids, Motley, or Nate – we are going to do something.

In this issue, we created a list of the best party venues and party services that can make your event extra fun! Whether you are planning something simple or going for an overthe-top party this year, we have the resources to help! And we connected with local parents for some great articles in this issue around party planning and growing up.

If you don’t have a party to plan in the next few months, don’t worry! The great thing is you can keep our October issue on hand, or you can head over to our website to find the Party Planning Directory on our website all year long. No matter what month your birthday is in, we will have the ideas waiting here to make it a success.

We didn’t forget about Halloween! If you are all about Halloween and party planning, we have many fun crafts, snacks, and games in our bonus digital pages and at www.thehoodmagazine.com.

Steff & the ‘hood team

Art & Design Director

Vogel

Digital Media Director Jaclyn Small Calendar Jessie Paquette Circulation

Graff and Laura Kattenberg

Reproduction or use of the contents of this magazine is prohibited.

‘Hood Magazine is published 9 times a year by Hoodlum Productions, LLC and strives to publish only accurate information; however, Hoodlum Productions, LLC cannot be held responsible for consequences resulting from errors or omissions. All material in this magazine is the property of Hoodlum Productions, LLC and cannot be reproduced without permission of the publisher.

©2022 Hoodlum Productions, LLC All Rights Reserved.

‘hood Online

from the heart

I Hate Halloween…

One Mom’s comical take on her least favorite day of the year.

Ok I know, “hate” is a strong word. But in this case, it just seems fit ting. Sure there is probably a more sophisticated way to say it, but so phistication goes out the window when we are talking about a day of hyped-up-sugar-filled-children.

Now I get it, the little kids dressed in adorable costumes; even I, the Halloween Grinch, can get swept up in the cuteness of that. And if it ended there, October 31st wouldn’t be so bad. But if you are a parent you know it doesn’t!

Continue reading over at www.thehoodmagazine.com

“Birth”day happy

The Ultimate Birthday

Brought to you by Health Haven

Your child’s first birthday is a huge milestone! You might throw a big party or just host a small family gathering. However you choose to celebrate, it is a special occasion. But let’s back up. When you first found out you were expecting you probably read books, websites, maybe even attended classes to prepare for the big day, the birth of your baby. Our culture puts a lot of emphasis on the birth itself, which typically only lasts about a day. That day is the “birth” of your baby, but also of you as a parent. But how much emphasis do we put on the first year of life? Breastfeeding, milestones, daycare, start ing solid foods, etc. I would encourage you to think about planning ahead not only for the “birth” day, but also for how you are going to feed your baby. Breastfeeding seems like it should be easy and natural, but that is not always the case. Many new babies need help with breastfeeding. There are many factors that can affect a baby’s ability to breastfeed. Were they full term, or slightly early, or many weeks early? What interventions did you have during labor? Do they have a tongue tie, torticollis, jaundice, or other medical issues that make breastfeeding difficult? I believe in the importance of prepar ing for the “birth” day, but it’s also important to prepare for breast feeding and parenting. A prenatal breastfeeding consultation can be invaluable in preventing problems before they occur and preparing you for what lies ahead. I’m Alicia, of Health Haven Consulting. I am an RN and IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant). I can help you prepare for your breastfeeding journey and a prenatal lactation consultation may even be covered by insurance!

Community Sponsors.Thank you Our community experts, bringing advice and tips to our ‘hood community.

CLICK HERE

Yummy Mummy

Halloween is the perfect time to have fun with your food, and SD Beef is doing just that with these mummy pizzas. Take a look!

Mom,canwegetalizard?

Bearded dragons have become increasingly popular for a pet. Learning and researching about a new pet can be overwhelming but Mini Critters is here to help! Watch this tutorial on everything you need to know about adding a bearded dragon to your family.

WATCH HERE

Happy Halloween!

‘Hood online doesn’t end here! Enjoy addi tional pages, exclusive articles, extra Hallow een fun and upcoming events on our digital bonus pages, starting on page 32!

Affording Your Mortgage

Buying a home is a big investment, so budgeting for your mortgage is essential. Ask yourself these basic questions to get started on the right foot.

beyond the pages

Find local directories, stories, recipes, extra articles and so much more. Find it all at www.thehoodmagazine.com.

Find upcoming events on our online calendar.

For more Halloween recipes & treats go to our digital issue &

by Maureen Ohm with Declan Ohm

Party Planning Tips from a Child Event Helper

From an early age, Declan expressed interest in party planning. Whether we were entertaining at home or helping at another party, he always wanted to take care of guests.

Then, he started to take on entertaining at home, setting up elaborate game nights or carnival games. When I was planning an event within earshot of him, he began sharing suggestions to improve and enhance the event, like a giant wavy arm inflatable man that helped catch the attention of families for the event.

There is something pure about how children view parties. He wanted to help the parents reading this birthday issue with some tips from his perspective. Here are a few ideas from Declan for party planning (in quotes) and follow-up explanations from me.

1. “Start at a cheap area like McKennan pool/park.”

Birthday parties don’t have to be expensive! A pool/park is a great example of a free resource in Sioux Falls. Just make sure you have a safe adult-to-child ratio while at a pool.

2. “I would like to talk to the lifeguard about the cake because there’s no food or drinks allowed.” Regardless of where you plan your party, make sure you talk to the venue about their rules about outside food.

3. “If you can, bring extra tiny little trinkets for all the kids.” Declan feels that party favors are a nice addition, but he also stressed that this is not important enough to exceed your planned budget.

4. “Skate City, Sky Zone, and Thunder Road are some other good places for a party.” Sioux Falls has a plethora

balloons! They can take a simple setting and turn it into a party.

7. “If you can, try to get some pizza.” I think Declan said it all here. People love pizza. l

by ‘hood Staff

Ways to Say Thank You After a Party

Handwriting is often a lost art form in our digital and fast-paced world. Even further, we often send notes of gratitude via text or email. But, encouraging your child to write thank you notes teaches them about being appreciative. Here are a few ways to integrate this practice after your family’s party.

Doodles and Drawings

While toddlers cannot write, they sure do love to color! Give them a blank sheet of paper or print out a thank you note with space that allows them to doodle. Grandparents especially like these for the fridge. If your children are starting to learn their letters, you can write out a template thank you mes sage that they can copy. There’s nothing better than those backward e’s.

Capture the Moment

One memorable way to say thank you is by photo graphing each group of people that attended the party with the party subject. You can print these photos and write a thank you note on the back of the picture. This is a great way to show appreciation for family and friends who love hanging up photos.

Make it a Craft

If your child loves doing crafts, get out the scissors, stamps, and stickers! A thank you note doesn’t have

to be all about words, and the simple words of thank you surrounded by glitter work just as well!

Do it in a day…or month

Most people realize we all live busy lives. If you want to bust out all the notes in one afternoon, go for it! Or you can pace yourself and do one per day. Ensure you check off where you’re at so you don’t forget!

Express Yourself

When writing thank you notes for graduation, the list of 20, 50, or even 100 names seems daunting. You can print a generic thank you message on a card and then allow your graduate to write a few sentences showcasing their gratitude for that person and their gift. This way, their hand will not cramp from writing the same message, and they’ll be able to find more joy in connecting to each person. l

by Jackie Payne

TopGraduation Party Planning Tips

In October, May seems like an eternity away — unless you’re the parent of a high school senior, in which case you may feel like you’re already running out of time. From senior pictures and college visits to prom to all the “lasts” that come with senior year, I knew my oldest son’s final year of high school would go by in a flash. And as a busy mom of four baseball-playing boys, I would need to devise a manageable, organized, and cost-effective plan to pull off a memorable and meaningful graduation party.

Friends and family said our son’s graduation party was a home run (pun intended) and that I should share my notes with the parents of future graduates. Here are a few tips for creating a gradu ation party that hits it out of the park!

1. Start Planning Early: Choose a venue and reserve a date or get going on those

home improvement projects. We hosted our party in our garage and began organizing it the summer before.

2. Choose a Theme: Choose something your graduate loves or is involved with and build your party around it. Our grad loved baseball, and it became an easy theme to build around. We took our guests “out to the ballpark” with the food and

decor. We served hot dogs and hamburgers and had a “concession stand” complete with peanuts, popcorn, crackerjack, and Big League Chew. Our party decorations related to the baseball theme as well.

3. Create a Budget: With your theme in place, start building a plan for how much you want to spend. If you plan early, you can maximize seasonal sales and find savings throughout the year. Our party featured grass centerpieces to go along with the baseball theme, and guests loved them; little did they know they were for Easter basket decorations.

4. Highlight Your Grad’s Personality With Food: Food is love, so take this opportunity to celebrate your child’s favorite dishes or desserts. And remem ber, food, party favors, and treats can all be custom ized to represent whatever your grad loves.

5. Celebrate Your Graduate: Remember, the event is truly about celebrating your graduate’s accomplishments and plans for the future, so find ways to illustrate their efforts and achievements. Picture boards, table displays, and looping videos are great ways to recognize your graduate’s journey. (Pinterest is a great place to find ideas but don’t hold yourself to it being Pinterest perfect).

6. Accept Help: Your family members and friends will often offer to help by contributing food, help ing with serving, or keeping supplies stocked dur ing the party. Take them up on it. Many hands make for light work!

7. Involve Siblings: Yes, the day is about celebrat ing the graduate, but including siblings can make the day even more meaningful. Our graduate’s

party journey. Ask if they’re willing to share any undated items they may have kept, like signs, picture displays, serving trays, etc. Be sure to save decorations from your party to share with friends in the future.

9. Weave the Theme: Your theme can inspire more than just the graduation party. Consider weaving your theme throughout the graduation season, includ ing grad party invites and thank you cards.

10. Keep Receipts: It’s hard to know how much food to order for an “open house” graduation party. We ordered food assuming more people would come than would eat, and we kept receipts for unopened and unused items that could be returned.

I wish you all the best as you plan celebrations for the Class of 2023 and beyond! l

club

Join The ‘hood Magazine Birthday Club!

how it works

Special offers and discounts will be sent to your email two months prior to your child’s birthday to help plan their celebration. On the date of their birthday, coupons and/or offers from our partners will be emailed to you, redeemable for the specified time on each offer. The club will be launching in 2023, so scan the QR code to the right to join our insider’s list to be the first to know!

let’s Party!

12th Annual Birthday Party Planning Guide

Party Services

Ms. Amy’s Face Painting and Balloons

Ms. Amy

Face Painting & Balloons

iowafacepainter@gmail.com

Price: Pricing starts at $100

Invite Ms. Amy to your next event to entertain the kids. Face painting, twisty balloons, and glitter tattoos will make your party one to remember.

Brandy’s Custom Cakery

www.facebook.com/brandyscustomcakery

Price: Varies upon your design

Here at Brandy’s, I strive to make your sweet treat ideas come to life without breaking your budget!

I offer delivery to Sioux Falls and surrounding towns, as well as the Parker region. So let me help “Bake your Day” for any event, no matter how big or small!

ABC Rentals

Special Events

www.abcrentalsmidwest.com

Price: Varies We rent everything you need for a party! We have tents, tables, chairs, linens, dishes, and even concession equipment such as: cotton candy machine, popcorn machine, snow-cone machine, chocolate fountains, hot dog rollers and more! Check out our website or stop by our showroom to see everything we offer.

Sign Gypsies Sioux Falls East and Brandon

www.signgypsiessf.com

Price: $75 and Up

Sign Gypsies is a greeting rental company spread ing JOY in the Sioux Falls area! We do all the work - design a personalized yard greeting tailored to the recipient’s interests, set up the greeting, and take it down when the celebration is over. Let us help you celebrate BIG!

Living Imaginations

A Character Experience

www.livingimaginations.com

Price: Packages start at $125

Imagine your child seeing their favorite princess or superhero on their birthday. Our live charac ters will bring the birthday experience every child can only dream of. Your party will experience a special gift for the child and other optional activi ties. Truly an experience your party goers will never forget.

BRINGTHE

Party Venues

Eastway Bowl

www.eastwaybowl.com

Price: $109.99+

Come relax and enjoy your child’s birthday while we take care of the rest! We have multiple party packages to accommodate your party style and ensure it’s a party to remember. Birthday party packages start as low as $109.99 and accommo date up to 10 people.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

www.jellystonesiouxfalls.com

Price: Packages start at $150 for up to 10 children

Whether you are staying at the park or just an afternoon visit, we have a package for you! At Jellystone Park, you’ll find activities like mini-golf, swimming, laser tag, the Jumping Pillow, and visits from Yogi Bear. Call or check out our website for a variety of birthday party options.

Sky Zone

www.skyzone.com/siouxfalls

Price: Packages start at $169.99

ELEVATE THE WAY YOU CELEBRATE. When you book your party at Sky Zone, we handle all the work, so you can join your guests in the celebration! It’s all fun and no stress. Parties are conveniently packaged but can be customized. Book your party today!

Great Shots

www.greatshots.golf/ parties-events

Price: Varies based on package

You don’t have to know how to golf. With great food, a full-service bar, and cutting edge tech nology, Great Shots is the go-to spot for your next event. Whether it’s a corporate outing or a bachelor party, we’ll take care of the planning so you can have all the fun!

We put the ART in pARTy! Celebrate a special day getting creative!

605 Ninja

www.605ninja.com

Price: Parties starting at $169

We offer the BEST parties in Sioux Falls. Our gym is full of fun obstacles and unique experiences for kids to try. Kids ALWAYS leave sweating & smiling. Parents always leave saying I would have loved this as a kid. Book your child’s unforgettable party today!

EmBe pool parties are the best way to celebrate any occasion. Whether its a birthday party, end of the season party or any other reason, we will make it easy and hassle free for you and your friends to have a blast.

Party Venues (cont.)

Skate City

www.skatecitysd.com

Price: Packages start at $100

Looking for a fun place for your next birthday party? Come on out to Skate City for one of our popular birthday parties! Our birthday party package is customizable, so build it the way that works best for you! Visit our website for more information.

Washington Pavilion

www.WashingtonPavilion.org

Price: Packages and prices vary

Have your next birthday party at the Washington Pavilion! Choose your own birthday learning adventure from our fun party themes and activi ties. We will do all the set up and cleaning while you and your child have an amazing celebration experience at your Washington Pavilion!

Children’s Museum of South Dakota

www.prairieplay.org

Price: Varies

Play along at the Children’s Museum of South Dakota with a variety of birthday party themes, from science to art to dinosaurs. We do all the prep work, set-up, and clean-up so all you have to do is enjoy the party. Parties include all-day Museum admission, too!

Great Plains Zoo

www.GreatZoo.org

Price: Packages start at $225

Zoo birthday parties include outdoor location for 60 minutes, cupcakes and drinks, a bucket of farm feed, and more! Attractions and animal encounters available to add on. Reach out to Education@GPZoo.org.

Party Venues (cont.)

Thunder Road Entertainment

www.ThunderRoadSiouxFalls.com

Price: Eat & Play Packages $235-$350

Thunder Road Entertainment has awesome food from Rev it up Grille and Entertainment! We have 2-Story Laser-Tag, Mini-Bowling, Bumper Cars, Arcade, 7D Theater, Axe-Throwing, and Hyperbowling. Seasonally we have Go-Karts, Mini-Golf, Batting Cages, Tilt-a-Whirl, and Euro-Bungy. There is something for everyone! Private party and event rooms available.

Bounce Around Inflatables

www.BounceAround-Inflatables.com

Price: Private Indoor Parties $199+

Open Play M-F 9-5 $7 All Day Wristband. Private Parties Weeknight and Weekends. Private Indoor Parties Starting at $199 (2 Hour Event). Call Today! 605-310-9529

EmBe

www.embe.org

Price: Call to inquire about pricing

We will make your next party a splash. EmBe pool parties are the best way to celebrate any occasion! Whether it’s a birthday party, end of the season party or any other reason, we will make it easy and hassle free for you and your friends to have a blast.

Don’t want to keep this magazine all year? Find this online! Our party directory will be available whenever you are looking for party planning support. www.thehoodmagazine.com.

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH SCREEN TIME FOR YOUR KIDS?

Technology is great. But our eyes were not meant to use computers and digital screens for long periods of time. With so many children spending hours and hours looking at their screens, it’s important to understand how this can impact vision.

DIGITAL EYESTRAIN IS REAL.

Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) happens with prolonged use of screens. The term refers to eye and vision problems related to close-up work experienced using electronic devices. CVS can cause dry eyes, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, blurry vision, and eye discomfort.

CVS can be made even worse with poor lighting conditions, screen glare, improper viewing distances, poor posture, or a combination of these factors.

WHAT YOU CAN DO.

Start by encouraging non-screen related activities with your kids. If screen time is a must for school, here a few things you can do to alleviate eye strain.

FOLLOW THE 20-20-20 RULE

For every 20 minutes of screen time, take 20 seconds and look 20 feet away.

KEEP YOUR DISTANCE

Try to stay 13-20 inches away on smartphones, tablets or laptops. 20+ inches away for desktop computers.

ADJUST LIGHTING

Room lighting should be the same as the brightness of the screen.

REDUCE GLARE

Adjust device settings or use blue light filtering glasses to decrease the amount of light reflected from the screen. Also, physically rotate the device to get rid of reflections.

SCREEN TIME RECOMMENDATIONS BY AGE

Here are the guidelines we recommend for daily screen time limits by age group.

0-2 YRS

NONE

None except video chat with an adult.

2-5 YRS

<1 HOUR

Less than 1 hour per day of active screen time. Little-to-no passive screen time.

6-12 YRS

<2 HOURS

No more than 2 hours per day. Establish positive habits and encourage active screen time.

TEENS

2 HOURS

Focus on healthy limits for social media use, playing games and watching videos.

ADULTS

2-4 HOURS

Keep it to a limited amount of recreational use per weekday. Take frequent screen breaks and set screenfree time blocks. Make time for physical activity.

Love what you see.

Be sure to get a comprehensive eye exam annually to make sure your child’s eyes are healthy and coping with any symptoms associated with CVS. The sooner you detect and treat a vision problem, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful.

CARE

(605) 274.6717 sdvisions.com visions@sdvisions.com

Reminders

by Jenny Hefty for High School Parents

I recently moved my second child off to college. The following parenting clichés have been running through my mind: “Enjoy it while it lasts,” “it gets easier,” and “the days are long, but the years are short.” I desperately clung to what seemed like sage advice when my kids were younger. Now I am looking through tears at another empty bedroom.

Whoever coined “it gets easier” was wrong! The issues are different, not easier. The one important thing I learned is that these years are so special and irreplaceable.

You do your best to give them space to start learning lessons independently yet guide them when necessary. We have to love them right where they are. Is that easy? No.

But here is my favorite cliche, “enjoy it while it lasts.” Every second you are knee-deep in a school fundraiser or listening to them cry over the breakup of their first love is not all that enjoyable.

After living through it two times, my advice is that you really need to enjoy it while it lasts. Because 18 years can feel like an eternity, but the day they leave for college or move out feels like the blink of an eye. You only have faint memories of tantrums, birthday parties, and yelling about staying up too late. Those are replaced with curfews and work schedules and seizing moments with them between practices and dates. You have mini adults who drive, work, and go to school. Don’t let any of those precious 18 years go by without note. They may not need you like they once did, but you may find that you need them more. l

by Sanford Health

Turning your Child’s Car Seat to

Face Forward Can Wait

Ever wonder why placing children in rear-facing car seats versus forward-facing ones is crucial? Simply said, it’s the safest way for them to ride in a car. If your child is placed in a forward-facing position too early, they are at risk for head, neck, and spine injuries in a crash.

Why is rear facing the best?

Your child riding rear-facing is much safer than a child riding forward-facing. In the event of a crash, a rear-facing car seat will absorb the forces from the collision. This allows the shell of the car seat to:

• Support your child’s head

• Support your child’s neck

• Protect your child’s spine

When can I turn my child’s car seat forward facing?

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children remain in a rear-facing car seat as long as possible until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their seat’s manufacturer. The height and weight limits are located on the car seat labels or in the owner’s manual.

How do I know my child is safe in their rear-facing car seat?

There are several things to look for when strapping your child into the car seat.

• There should be at least 1 inch of car seat above your child’s head. This indicates your child is still within the height limits.

• The harnesses should be at or below your child’s shoulders. This keeps your child from sliding out of the car seat in case of an accident.

• The harnesses should be snug; at the shoulder, check to see if you can pinch any of the harness straps between your fingers. If you can, tighten the harness more. A snug harness means less movement of your child in a crash, resulting in less injury.

•

The chest clip should be at your child’s armpit level. This slows your child’s forward movement down in a crash, resulting in less stress on your child’s neck and spine.

Did you know three out of four children sit in incorrectly used or installed car seats? Many local resources, like hospitals, fire departments, and other agencies, can help ensure your little one is safe and in a proper seat. l

Field trips and special speakers are also used to enhance the educational experience. Our teachers help each child become an individual who is aware of their abilities and who can focus on their own strengths.

Stop in and check out our program and teachers anytime! No appointment necessary.

Fun Things To Do

You could list your events for on thehoodmagazine.com

?Here is how to create an event:

1. Create an account.

2. Post your event details.

3. Add a logo or photo.

Things to know about our calendar:

• You can create reoccurring events.

• You can share straight to social media.

• We share our calendar with our email list.

• We do weekly social media callouts linking to our calendar.

to do as a family?

Check out thehoodmagazine.com or scan our QR code and click on the Things to Do tab! You can save our events right to your calendar, so you don’t forget the details! With the click of a button, you can share any event with friends or family and finalize all your plans too!

Looking for something to do for particular age? No worries! Our calendar does that too!

d love your

FEEDBACK!

As a valued member of the ‘hood community, please take a minute to provide your feedback to help us improve. We want to check in with our readers to ensure we are providing resources that our families expect and want from us. We’d love to hear your thoughts on what we should offer next.

As a thank you for completing the survey, all entries before October 15 will be entered into a drawing for Disney on Ice tickets. Thank you for your time in helping us make ‘hood the best resource for families in the Sioux Empire.

hundreds of family events. Scroll through all the events or head straight to the date you are looking for. Search by keywords like “halloween”, “trunk or treat” or “pumpkin”!

Here are some upcoming events we think you will love! Learn all about these events and more on the ‘hood online calendar.

• Junkin’ Market Days

• Spooky Science

• Zoo Boo

• Amazing Acres

• Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Monster Mash

Click “Add to Calendar” to save and sync an event to YOUR personal calendar!

1. Play Dough Monsters

Hand out a build your own monster kid. Add a mini play dough tub with some googly eyes and feath ers into a goodie bag for an adorable and fun treat!

2. Beaded Bracelets!

Add some orange and black beads and a piece of string to create a Halloween bracelet kit.

3. Mummy Pouches

Simply wrap snack pouches like applesauce or even a juice box in white bandages and draw on some eyes!

Want to pass out a treat that isn’t candy? We have some ideas for you!

PUMPKINS

Ready to try something new this Halloween? Give these marble pumpkins a try!

The first thing you need is....PUMPKINS, but these pumpkins need to be dipped into a bowl, so make sure they are small to medium size!

You can purchase white ones, or spray paint orange pumpkins white.

Next, you will need to grab some fingernail polish. The Dollar Store is a great spot for purchasing polish for this project.

Add warm water to a bowl (use a disposable bowl, or small bucket that you don’t mind getting paint on!) filling it about half full. Pour fingernail polish into the water. Swirl it while you are pouring to make designs!

Dip your pumpkin in the water slowly, and SLOWLY pull it back out. You will be able to see the paint stick to the pumpkin.

Lay on wax paper or plastic to dry.

Monotone or multicolor... have fun with it!

Spaghetti

Candy corn was originally called Chicken Feed. used to feed chickens, the creation was called “Chicken Feed” and the box was marked with a colorful rooster.

The world’s largest pumpkin weighed in at 2,323 lb.

Skittles Halloween candy.

Illinois produces up to five times more pumpkins than any other state.

If you need inspiration family’s costumes few photos from last followers

BONES Cheesy

There is never a shortage of fun foods when it comes time for Halloween! Try these cheesy bones for your next pizza night.

Roll out 6-8” strips of refrigerated bread dough, cut a slit into each end to create your bone shape.

Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Bake per package instructions until golden brown.

Want to make them extra spooky? Grab some marinara sauce and dip them in “blood.”

Find more fun recipes & fun at www.thehoodmagazine.com

Search “recipe”

inspiration for your kid’s or this year, check out a last year that our social followers shared.

Want to be included in our local family photos pages? Follow the ‘hood Magazine on social to share your photos - you just might be next!

TWO VACCINES IN ONE VISIT

Getting vaccinated is your best defense against the flu and COVID-19. It’s recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine. Everyone should also stay up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, including boosters, when eligible.

Visit sanfordhealth.org to learn more or find a location near you.