Halloween Mask verse Face Painting...

Often times when children wear costumes during Halloween their mask can be a hindrance. If a child is playing with a mask on his or her face, any sudden movement can create an obstruction of their view. The Halloween Mask eye holes can shift causing a child to trip and or even fall. We must remember Halloween Mask are made for one size fits most. Every child and adult head size differ and Halloween Mask are created to fit standard sizes: child, youth and or adult whatever measurement that is, ((ugh)).

 Frontal mask are made with elastic band or two string tie on back to hold mask in place or a full hood mask that slips over the entire head. When children are out traveling on foot in the dark wearing a mask may distort their peripheral vision. Majority mask will only allow an individual to see what is directly in front of them. So a person would need to turn their head in the director they to get the best view, consequently, Trick or Treating can become dangerous if a child can not use their peripheral vision. This may cause a serious problem with children who are crossing the street, walking pass an alley, or haphazardly stumble on debris. 

Face Painting can make your child's Halloween experience FUN and SAFE. You can go to your local Arts & Craft store to get paints to create a face painting for your child. ALWAYS use paints made for the Body that are FDA approved. NEVER use ACRYLIC Paints on the body. Practice your designs in advance or contact a professional to do your Halloween make up, its worth your child's safety. For Cheek Art tips go to www.youtube.com/sandysland1 or visit www.sandysland.com to hire a face painter.

Credit: Pumpkin Face Painting done by Sandra Epps

7 Simple and Affordable Tips to Make your Child's Birthday Special!

7 Simple and AffordableTIPS to Make your Child's Birthday Special!
Things you will need:

Fabric Paint
Pillow Case
Tee Shirt
Cake/Cookie Icing in a tube
Easy Bake Cookies
Cake Decorating Supplies
Face Paint

1. Purchase fabric markers and or fabric paints in squeeze bottles. Take the tee shirt in child size and have friends and family create (write or draw) special message to child on shirt, let dry and present to child. This is a favorite when a special relative to the child participates with this personal wearable art Gift to Birthday Child. This same idea can be done with by decorating a pillow case. Glow-in-the- dark paint is great! Small children really enjoy reading their inspirational messages on their pillow case as they drift off to sleep. GREAT collaborative project!

Decorating the tee shirt or pillow case can be done during the party. This is a great party activity for guest. Make sure wax paper or card board is placed in the center of shirt or pillow case to stop the paint from soaking through to opposite side.

2. Purchase a small face paint kit from local arts & craft store and let children paint one another. Or hire professional face painter to turn children into wearable art. www.sandysland.com

3. Hire children's author to come read their book and to do arts & craft project with children. For example, each child can decorate a picture frame. Then take a group photo of party guest and make copies to give to each guest for their personalized picture frame keep-sake.

4. After singing happy birthday to the child have each guest to say what they like most about the child, and end with applauds and or hip hip hooray to ______ (Birthday Child).

5. Have child's best friend and or special family members (grandparents, aunt, uncle or cousin) decorate birthday cake for the child as a surprise. So then there are two cakes one for the guest and the smaller cake decorated/personalized just for the birthday child.

6. Bake cookies and have each guest to decorate cookies and exchange amongst one another or give to birthday child.

7. As a parting gift to guest include a copy of the Birthday Child's favorite book signed by them and the author.

For your child's party needs contact Sandy's Land at info@sandysland.com

Chocolate Treats!

Chocolate is always a favorite for children and adults. This recipe below is good for holiday gifts, a party activity for children, bake sale items or just to have as a delicious snack. Chocolate covered Apples, Pretzels and Cookies are easy and fun to make. Here's what you need to provide treats for a few friends and family  during the Holiday.

INGREDIENTS:

2 - 3 bags of Candy Melts or Baking Chocolate
1 bag of granulated peanuts
1 box of graham crackers
1  large pack of oreo cookies
1 bag of large pretzels
1 roll of wax paper
5 - 12 apples
12 candy or popsicle sticks for apples


Clean apples with water and baking soda or fruits/vegetable cleaner from your local food market. Make sure apples are dry and place stick in center of stem in each apple. On clean table top, cover area with wax paper. Crush 5 - 10 graham crackers in bowl and set a side with large spoon to sprinkle as topping over dipped items. Place granulated peanuts in separate bowl with spoon. Take 5 to 10 oreo cookies, remove icing from center, crush, then place in separate bowl with spoon. Place chocolate in non stick pan on low until chocolate has melted. If you are using white and dark chocolate you  need two separate cooking pans. Make sure all food items are on wax paper and toppings (sprinkles) are in separate bowls. IMPORTANT: you will have to work fast because the chocolate dries fast. Children will need supervision.

After chocolate has melted begin to stick items in chocolate and immediately sprinkle or dip into crushed graham crackers, oreo cookie or granulated peanuts. Do not stick sprinkled items back into the chocolate if you missed a spot, use a spoon to cover area. Let items cool on wax paper and cover with clear plastic wrap and tie with bow and personalize message for an extra added touch. This recipe will delight all of your guest, friends and family GUARANTEED!

If you would like to host a Chocolate Factory Party find out more by visiting www.sandysland.com and click on Party Packages.