People of all ages celebrate and look forward to Halloween every year. But when it comes down to it, the holiday is really all about the kids. The opportunity to spend an evening getting free candy and eating too many Halloween treats is one of the greatest annual childhood joys. But before they can get all that delicious candy, they need to settle on the perfect costume. There are so many options for kids to choose from when it comes to dressing up for Halloween that it's hard to know where to begin. Once your kid has settled on a general costume idea, it's time to think about whether or not their costume requires face makeup or masks, and whether it needs to be store bought or if it's something that you and your children  can make together. These moments spent together bonding and being creative will be memories that will last a lifetime! Here are some ideas for DIY costumes!


Here Comes the Sun Costume​

 All you need is: an over-size yellow sweatshirt, orange and yellow felt, elastic, rickrack, pipe cleaners, fabric glue, a large safety pin

 She’s the sunshine of your life, so show the world! A basic sweatshirt is the start of this cheery costume. The smiling face of the sun is made from felt. A plain long-sleeve tee and yellow kneesocks or tights finish it off!

Raining Cats and Dogs Costume

All you need is: a child-size clear umbrella, black sticky felt, black poster board, fabric pencil, gray thread, a needle

 Drips are for kids! This clever idea is sure to be a hit in your neighborhood. Pair the decorated umbrella with the raincoat and rain boots your child already owns and she’ll be set to have a blast in any weather. 

Fluffly Blue Cloud Costume 

All you need is: an over-size pale-blue sweatshirt, white felt, batting, string, a large needle, small toy airplane or helicopter (make sure it’s age-appropriate), fabric glue

 This is a heaven-sent get-up for a boy or a girl. You may already have the starting pieces for this costume—a sweatshirt, coordinating sweatpants and a long-sleeve plain tee. The fluffy effect of the cloud is surprisingly easy to achieve with batting.

Lightning Bolt Costume

 All you need is: an over-size black shirt, silver lame, heavy cardstock, batting, black felt, fabric glue, black gloves

 For the wild child whose energy seems to be heaven-sent, what better choice than a bright bolt? He’ll be sure to electrify the entire neighborhood!

Mr. Twister Costume

All you need is: a hula hoop, 2 large adult-sized dark-gray T-shirts, fabric glue, 10 yd black tulle, a stapler, twigs, dark-gray gloves

Your little one will have fun in this twister costume when he storms out of the house, ready for candy and trick-or-treating fun on Halloween night.


 Store-bought Halloween costumes are expensive and, oftentimes, cheaply made. Rather than break the bank on something that'll last for, oh, 30 minutes, go the homemade route. These DIY Halloween costumes for kids are easy to make and more unique, so your kid will be sure to stand out in a crowd.
 
 
 

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Introducing the Team ELM Homework Club! 

Here at Team ELM we know this school year has been difficult and new. Virtual learning or hybrid learning is something no one was quite used to. We want to make sure every child is reaching their goals and full potential and that they don't fall behind with homework! We have NJ teachers on stand by as well as other qualified Team ELM employees who are able to help and assist with your child's homework needs! Give us a call anytime at 732-301-7015,  to get more information and to reserve a space for each day you want your child to come. Pay accepted upon arrival! We look forward to seeing you!

Whether you're planning a scary and spectacular Halloween bash or just fueling up the kids before a long night of trick-or-treating, your little monsters will scream for joy for these tasty Halloween treats. Making food with your family is always a great way to bond and create memories! And who doesn’t love getting a little spooky??


Monster Munch 

INGREDIENTS

3 c. kettle corn
2 c. pretzels
1 c. semisweet chocolate chips, melted
1 c. white chocolate chips, melted
1/2 c. candy corn
1/2 c. yellow, orange, and chocolate M&M's
2 tsp. Halloween-colored sprinkles or nonpareils


DIRECTIONS 

 On a parchment-lined baking sheet, place a single layer of kettle corn. Mix in pretzels, making sure you have a single layer.

Transfer melted chocolates to separate piping or Ziploc bags (with a corner snipped).

Drizzle kettle corn and pretzels with melted semisweet chocolate, making sure to drizzle lines very close together (you want the majority of the mix to be covered in chocolate).

Top with candy corn and M&M's and drizzle with melted white chocolate. Top with sprinkles and freeze or refrigerate until chocolate is firm, 20 minutes.

Break into pieces and serve.


Jack-o'-Lantern Rice Krispies
 
INGREDIENTS

Non-stick baking spray
6 tbsp. butter, divided
1 drop green food coloring
6 c. Mini Marshmallows, divided
6 c. Rice Krispies
1 drop orange food coloring
Candy corn, for eyes
Melted chocolate, for mouths

 DIRECTIONS 

 Lightly coat a baking sheet with non-stick spray. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in green food coloring and 2 cups mini marshmallows.

Cook until marshmallows are melted, then turn off heat and add 2 cups Rice Krispies, stirring until combined.

Meanwhile, in another saucepan over medium heat, melt 
remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Stir in orange food coloring and remaining 4 cups marshmallows. Cook until marshmallows are melted, then turn off heat and add 4 cups Rice Krispies, stirring until combined.

Using slightly dampened hands, press mixtures into pan, alternating to create three thin horizontal stripes of green and larger horizontal stripes of orange.

 Use a 2.5" pumpkin cookie cutter to stamp out shapes, then make eyes with candy corn and mouths using melted chocolate in a piping bag.



Jack 'O Lantern Quesadillas 

INGREDIENTS

Cooking spray, for pan
2 c. shredded rotisserie chicken
Juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
8 medium flour tortillas
3/4 c. shredded Cheddar
3/4 c. Shredded Monterey Jack
1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
Hot sauce, for serving 

DIRECTIONS 

Preheat oven to 425° and grease a large baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, add chicken and toss with lime juice, chili powder, and garlic powder. 
Assemble quesadillas: Using a paring knife, cut a Jack-o-Lantern pattern into 4 flour tortillas.

Sprinkle chicken and cheese onto remaining 4 tortillas, and top with Jack-o-Lanterns. Place quesadillas onto baking sheet, brush with oil, and bake until cheese is melty and tortillas are golden, 15 minutes.

Serve with hot sauce.


 Mummy Meatballs
​
INGREDIENTS 

1 lb. ground beef
1/4 c. minced onion
1/4 c. panko breadcrumbs
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 large egg
kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 8-oz. tube Pillsbury crescent roll sheet
Yellow mustard, for decorating 

DIRECTIONS 

Preheat oven to 400°. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment.

In a large bowl, add beef, onion, panko, garlic, parsley, and egg. Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix ingredients together with a wooden spoon until well combined, then shape into 1” balls. Place onto baking sheet and set aside.

Slice crescent sheet in half widthwise, and then into long, thin strips. Wrap a piece of dough around meatballs to resemble a mummy, leaving a space to make eyes later on.

Bake until meatballs are cooked through and dough is golden, about 15 minutes. Cover sheet with foil if dough starts to get too dark.

Make two mustard dots for eyes on each mummy meatball and serve.
 

Ghost Pizza Bagels

INGREDIENTS

 8 slices mozzarella
8 mini bagels
1/2 c. marinara
4 black olives

DIRECTIONS 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cut mozzarella slices into ghost shapes using a paring knife.

Spread a thin layer of marinara over pizza bagel and top with ghost. 

Bake until cheese is melty, 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut olives into little pieces for eyes. Dot the ghosts and serve.

 

 
 

We hope this school year is going well and that everyone is enjoying fall! Here is issue 1 of our Team ELM Newsletter, always keeping you updated with all new and fun things happening! ​As always if you have any questions or are interested in any programs offered, please call us anytime at 732-301-7015, or email us at info@teamelmnj.com! Thank you for the continued love and support!!

XOXO