Let's face it. It can be fun to decorate for Halloween, but it's not like you can tweak those skeletons, witches and ghosts a bit and use them another time of year. So why spend a lot of money on Halloween decorations that'll only be up for a few weeks?
Enter: Operation Halloween Homemade.
If you're throwing a kids' Halloween party and want to make your house or classroom look spooky on a budget, follow these DIY Halloween tutorials for child-friendly party supplies.
1. How to Make Halloween Cupcake Toppers
Megan Cooley
Spell out the word "boo" and other spooky phrases with these alphabet cupcake toppers.
2. Doorway Ghost Decorations
Megan Cooley
Hang these spooky ghosts above your doorways to add a bit of fright to your home on Halloween.
3. DIY Pumpkin Place Cards
Megan Cooley
Make these 3-D pumpkins as a craft, party decoration or tabletop place cards this Halloween.
4. Haunted House Crafts
About.com's Guide to Family Crafts shows you how to make cats, bats, scarecrows, magical potions and more to decorate for a spooky Halloween.
5. Easy Ghost Cookies
Megan Cooley
Need to make some last-minute treats for Halloween? These semi-homemade ghost cookies are cute, quick and easy.