FREE Family-Centric Halloween Activities & Events Nationwide Throughout October

Readers: Don't forget to bookmark this page NOW, then keep checking back as events will be added to this list as MommyBlogExpert becomes aware of them.  If you know of a FREE Halloween-related event not listed, definitely add it to this list by leaving brief info and a link (if you have one) in the comment box below.

Yes, ALL Events Listed Below are FREE!!!

Halloween may officially be October 31, but in cities and towns across the U.S., fall and Halloween events take place every year during the whole month leading up to pumpkin day. Even better is that many of these activities are FREE and suitable for families with children.

Here are just a few of the places you can take the kids for some Halloween fun without spending a dime.  All events take place nationwide, unless otherwise indicated.  Just click on the link with each for more information.
October 9 - 10, 1-5 pm, Nationwide
Harry and David Stores from coast to coast have tasting events each Saturday and Sunday in October.  But, if you love the season of ghouls, don't miss H&D's Halloween Tasting Party for free samples of many of the season's yummiest sweets and treats.  Click to find the closest Harry and David Store here


October 10, 9 pm, Nationwide
Tune in to The Martha Stewart Show Halloween Special on the Hallmark Channel for all kinds of crafty ideas, from clever holiday cookies and cupcakes, plus other wild concoctions to make your celebration fun. See this ultimate scary show's preview here


October 16, 1-3 pm, Nationwide
Wilton Halloween Decorating Sweet Treats Demo - Cupcakes and More at Michaels Stores. Click for details here


October 17 - 23, Times May Vary, Nationwide
Williams-Sonoma is scheduled to offer a Week of Free Halloween Themed Cooking Demonstrations from  featuring holiday cookie and cupcake baking & decorating and lots more. Schedules and demos likely will vary by store, so check with your local W-S for details in your area.

October 23, 2-4 pm, Nationwide 
Make and Take Halloween Crayola Glow Explosion Creepy Eye Craft at Michaels Stores for ages 3 and up.  Get the details here

October 23, 10 am-3 pm, Great Park, Irvine, California
An afternoon of family fall activities, including pumpkin picking & decorating (1 pumpkin/child while supplies last), kids games and activities, mini hay maze, costume parade, Halloween treats,petting zoo, and more. Details here


October 25, 6-8 pm, Nationwide
Make and Take Halloween Crayola Glow Explosion Creepy Eyes Craft at Michaels Stores for kids ages 3 and up.  Get the details here

October 28, 6-8 pm, Nationwide
Make and Take Halloween Mask Workshop at Michaels. Details here

October 30, 10 am - 2 pm, Nationwide
Family Halloween Event.  Details here


Don't miss MommyBlogExpert's
Other Fun & Creative Halloween Posts
Crafty Ideas and Giveaway Contests
Want to suggest an event to add to this post's list? Please leave a comment with link to details. If appropriate, we will be happy to spread the word for you.


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All Mommy Bloggers Invited to a Cocktail Party Meet Up Hosted by TwitterMoms During BlogWorld

TwitterMoms.com is inviting all Mommy Bloggers attending BlogWorld in Las Vegas next week to a get-together.  This is an informal must-attend live happy hour cocktail party/meet-up that every mom who blogs should make every effort to participate in.
Pictured: Janis Brett Elspas of MommyBlogExpert & Megan Calhoun of TwitterMoms at another blogging event launching The Internet Mommy Book by Kimberley Clayton Blaine  in Santa Monica earlier this year

Enjoy a glass of wine or a cocktail (on TwitterMoms) while you meet Megan Calhoun and the rest of the members of the TwitterMoms team and get to know other TwitterMoms who are attending BlogWorld this year.

Friday, October 15, 2010 
5 - 7 pm
The American Fish at the Aria Hotel
3730 Las Vegas Boulevard
Las Vegas
Hosted by TwitterMoms

More information on this mom blogging network event here

FTC Disclosure:  I disclose that I am a TwitterMoms Elite Member, however this does not influence this blogpost.  In addition, MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Students and Teachers - This is Your Big Chance to Win Up to $100,000 for Your School in Bing's Giveaway

Additional Contest is Giving Money to Schools, Too

Thanks to an email I received today from MomCentral, one of the mom's blogging networks I am active in,  I've learned that Bing.com is giving away a chance to win up to $100,000 for your school.  This is too good to not share it with all my readers:  Bing will be giving away over $1 million through their new Our School Needs program.
With the current climate of Great Recession elevating the number of budget cuts in education at the national, state, and local levels, news about this contest is a God-send for any of us with school-age kids.  That's my four kids above on the first day of school of third and fifth grades a few years ago.

Students and teachers -- elementary, middle, and high school -- are invited to submit their entry requests on behalf of their schools.  Submissions will be accepted through October 22, 2010. 
To participate, K-12 students can work individually, in small groups, as a classroom, or even a whole school to prepare their entry including
  • A 500-800 Word Essay
  • 3 to 5 Photos
  • A Video, 3 minutes or less (Optional)
If you've been inside any public school lately, for sure, you know that just about every classroom is lacking in a major kind of way.  So, I'm sure most of you students and teachers can think of something your school needs desperately.  To enter, as well as for detailed contest rules and additional information on how to pitch your school's story and to see entry examples to inspire you, visit the official contest site Bing Our School Needs.

Special BONUS Giveaway from MomCentral

MomCentral.com is fueling the outreach effort not only by encouraging Mommy Bloggers like me to spread the news about Bing's contest.  They're also hosting an additional giveaway offering each of five random winners a $50 donation to use at DonorsChoice.org to support their local classroom!  

The best news is you don't have to be a student or teacher to enter this second giveaway -- anyone can submit for this contest that knows a school that needs help.  So, as a mom myself I've already entered on behalf of the public school district's Independent Study program that my four kids are attending.  Check out what I'm hoping to win for their school, or better yet, enter the related giveaway on MomCentral's site, for your own chance to win, by clicking HERE

Be sure leave a COMMENT below this post to share the #1 thing the classroom you know about needs most!

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  However, as mentioned in this post I have entered MomCentral's giveaway myself.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

October is FREE Flavored POPCORN Month - Get A Yummy Sampler from The Popcorn Factory

HURRY -- While Supplies Last

Get 3 varieties of popcorn from The Popcorn Factory, a $10 value, FREE.  Gourmet popcorn flavors included in this deal are 1.6 oz Cheese, 1.5 oz Jalapeno, and 6 oz Caramel in 10”x 10”x 4” Bow Box Mailer.

According to this specialty company's website, their popcorn carries the O-U Kosher certification symbol.  For detailed nutritional information for this trio of edibles click on the nutrition link included with the product's description.

PLUS - Each The Popcorn Factory Try Me Trio Sampler will include a $10 Promo Code to use on your next purchase. All you pay is shipping for your FREE samples.

This special offer which ships to the 48 contiguous U.S. states only is in celebration of Popcorn Month and 31 years in the business.  More details & order yours during the month of October on ThePopcornFactory.com's website.

FTC Disclosure:  MommyBlogExpert did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post.  See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.  

FREE Craft Ideas & A Moving Animated Card Build Breast Cancer Awareness During October


I don't think I've ever seen so much pink as there has been this October to spotlight Breast Cancer Awareness Month. 

Many of us have been touched directly by the disease within our own families or at least know someone who has been affected by this killer.  In fact, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS), an estimated 192,370 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed among women in the United States this year.  

Here's a fact that really surprised me that I didn't know until I wrote this post.  Approximately 1,910 of the new cases are expected to present themselves in MEN this year.  Simply put, Breast Cancer sadly has an impact on us all.  Let's do all we can to expedite a Cure!  More FAQs on Breast Cancer here

In the hope of spreading even more awareness, here are MommyBlogExpert's picks for the best FREE animated ecard and craft ideas online with Breast Cancer themes.  Immediately below you'll see that Ojolie is offering a complimentary animated card in honor of Breast Cancer Month.  You'll also see  some beautiful ideas for crafts you can make either for yourself, in memory of someone you love, or as a gift for someone that is currently battling this deadly disease.  There's also a wonderful down loadable Breast Cancer-themed gift tag you can print out at no charge.
First off, most definitely stop by Ojolie.com so you can send this complimentary, absolutely gorgeous FREE Chicka animated ecard that is all about helping to spread the word about Breast Cancer.  It can be customized with any message you choose, so consider using this for a variety of occasions.  According to Frederikek, the ecard 's designer, "I wanted to keep the story light and entertaining, despite the serious topic, but of course also sincere.   I don't particularly worry about what makes something art -- to me it is simply making a difference, no matter how big or small, to another human being."   Wouldn't you agree that this card brings across that sentiment beautifully?  View and send this Ojolie original ecard  here

Up next from Kaye Wood comes the stunning pieced and quilted Breast Cancer Pillow you see pictured at the top of this post.  Find the directions and free pattern to make this lovely item here

Also, be sure to visit Craftpals.com for a FREE download of the lovely printable Breast Cancer theme gift tag shown at left. Get yours here

More Breast Cancer Posts to Go Live This Month  

Have a craft idea promoting Breast Cancer Awareness to share? Then, feel free to leave a brief description and link to the project in the comment box below this post.

FTC Disclosure:  I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this particular post.   See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.