Easy #Halloween Monster-mallow Treats

It's the MONSTER_MALLOWS!

I recently did some online searching for fun, quick, easy ideas for Halloween treats to try something new - there are so many great ideas from every creative corner... I found tons! I saved all my favorite ideas to my Pinterest board (check it out here: http://pinterest.com/sprout5/halloween/ ) then revisited the ideas with my kids to decide what to make.  The loved the decorated marshmallow creatures and it fit my requirements of quick and easy (and very few ingredients / needs).

Here is how we created them:  We purchased large marshmallows, a tube of decorating frosting and some food safe markers.  I had some left over colored fondant (I always have a stock in the freezer!) and rolled some small balls to use for eyes plus we used cheerios which are always on hand as well.  We "glued" the eyes on with a generous amount of icing (used the small circle tube attachment on the frosting tube) and placed the Cheerios over the icing so the icing pushes through the center of the Cheerios.  We used fondant as well to make eyes on some and used black food-safe markers to dot the eyes.  The rest of the facial features were also drawn on with markers.  This was a 20 minute activity so it was the perfect time frame for 3 and 6 year olds and when we were done, we had a pile of fun monsters treats for Halloween!

These monsters can be used to top cupcakes, cake, or cookies and make excellent pops by simply sticking a lollipop stick in the bottom.

Note - for better performance of the markers, let the marshmallows sit in the open to dry slightly on the outside.  If the marshmallows are too soft, it is harder to draw a line.  Also, don't press too hard with the markers.  Storage: keep them in a closed container until ready to eat.

Enjoy!
~Sprout

Purchase these items to make your own:

Reuse your old socks - make #Halloween Sock Spiders!

Green Halloween Craft Idea: Sock Spiders!

Do you have single socks or worn-out socks taking up space in your closet or dresser?  For some reason, I have a mound of these and even though I use them for cleaning - they just seem to multiply!  Since I have a lot of black socks, I thought I would reuse them and create "Sock Spiders" to use as Halloween decorations.  This past weekend, we walked over to Michael's Craft Store and purchased some black pipe cleaners and what my son calls, "googly eyes" then came back and collected all those socks.  We stuffed the end of the socks with other socks or old ripped t-shirts (you could use cotton, paper or tissue) and folded the open end of the sock over the whole thing and tucked it into the open end.  Then we poked through the bottom with 4 pipe cleaners to form the legs.  I sewed the end of the folded sock top to make a smooth bottom.  My son stuck the googly eyes onto the top then I pulled some thread through the top using a needle and hung one over the doorway to the kitchen.  They turned out so cute!  We can use these every year now AND I got rid of all those lonely socks!  Way to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!!

If you have black, purple, red or brown socks that have patterns or colors on them. you can have some fun - here is a sock spider using argyle socks!

 If you make your own recycled Halloween decoration, please share by posting a comment and if you have a photo, please send it to me and I'll post it here!

Thanks!
Happy GREEN Halloween!

Want more Green ideas? Go to  http://greenhalloween.org/`

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