Outdoor Living for all Seasons – Harvest/Halloween Parties for kids

Hi again! We’ve talked about extending our living space into our backyard and the basic elements it takes to make it enjoyable and fun over the past few weeks. Today I’m thinking of some of the fun ways to use this space to the fullest – parties – and not just for adults – for kids!
Autumn, Harvest time, Halloween all are rich with outdoor fun. Nature provides the backdrop with colored leaves and many harvested items. Cornstalks, Hay Bales, Scare crows, candy apples and pumpkins are some inexpensive, all time favorites. After their trip through the neighborhood your little trick-or-treaters and those of your friends’ can join in your yard for a wonderfully scary trek of Halloween fun. With simple décor such as ghosts made from sheets, spider webs found in dollar stores, dim lighting (if using candles keep them up high and out of children’s reach), spooky jack o’lanterns are great to line walkways, silhouettes of bats, witches or black cats to hide in corners (with some back lighting), add some spooky music and your stage is fully set for some great fun. Since the candy will have revved up the kids you’ll want some fun games to have them spend your energy. Depending on the weather (this is a good time for your outdoor heater to shed warmth) you may be able to combine outdoor and indoor activities. Pin the nose on the pumpkin (tack a large cardboard pumpkin to the wall. In turn blindfold each child and give them a black nose with double sided tape on the back. Have them walk to the wall and pin the nose on the pumpkin), pumpkin penny toss (carve out a large pumpkin, give each child a handful of pennies. Have them stand an appropriate distance from the pumpkin and try to toss the penny in, one at a time. For each penny into the pumpkin the child gets a Halloween candy. Wrap the mummy (divide the children into groups of three to five kids. Select one child in each group to be a mummy. The other children receive a roll of toilet paper and are instructed to wrap the mummy with it, leaving eyes, nose and mouth uncovered. The first group done with their roll of paper wins). Search the internet if you want more games at your fingertips. Wrap up the evening with yummy treats such as hot dogs, apple cider, root beer, caramel apples and other kid friendly snacks. All this should add up to a memorable and safe evening.
I’m sure you can see how in all this planning appropriate lighting, heating and sturdy but attractive furniture will be foundational to making the party a success. Find some great outdoor furniture at either of our sites "Outdoor Cedars" or Teaks n More" (the links are on the right) and create cozy outdoor spaces for all seasons and parties.

Outdoor heating do we need it?

For years we have sat in Our Back Yards on cool evenings with a fire going to take the chill off.
Most of us would have a fire pit of some kind and enjoy the fire and gain a little heat while cooking some hot dogs and marshmallows.
Today most of us can no longer do this because of city regulations. Today we may have a fire container with wire covers or one of those ceramic gene lamp looking things that will keep the fire contained. Some may have an outside fireplace and they can be quite attractive but expensive to build. Today these are not always allowed in our cities as well. There are other problems with this type of heat. The smoke, I don’t know about you but every time I sit by an outdoor fire the smoke heads in my direction and gets in my eyes. I love the smell I love the heat but I don’t like the sore eyes. Another problem is the wood, where do I get it? It is easy for some but for others finding and buying it is a chore.
So what are some of the other choices today?
For our fireplaces in our homes we have moved away from wood as well. Today we are often making a choice for either electric or gas. These options are available for our back yards as well. There are many attractive designs that can add to your back yard. Often they look like old street lamps which get the heat above us and reflect it down. They are clean so the neighbors can’t complain about the smoke. They are not cheap but can be found in a price range that most can afford. The fuel, propane or electricity is easy to obtain. These seem to be the wave of the future when it comes to our back yards and can be bought at department stores and big box stores as well as specialty shops.
The real thing to keep in mind is the whole concept of extending the seasons of usage of our yards. You can be out earlier in the spring, later in the fall and even in the middle of the summer we can get a cool evening when a little heat takes the chill off and makes it pleasant to sit out and enjoy our company or just enjoy some solitude. If you have had any experience with some of these new heaters let us know.
The other thing that makes our yards comfortable is the furniture we are sitting on. Check out our outdoor and patio furniture stores at OutdoorCedars.com or TeaksnMore.com .