Ever heard about the father who dresses up each Halloween as a scarecrow? He sprawls across a bench on his dimly lit front porch--just another decoration among the pumpkins--and waits. When unsuspecting families come up to ring the doorbell, he lets out a groan, then another groan. "Did you hear that?" a startled guest asks. Some guests flee, most inch closer, poking tentatively at the patient scarecrow until they all dissolve into giggles. The father is an instant neighborhood hero.

For this Halloween extravaganza, we consulted all the neighborhood heroes we know for their best gags, decorations, costumes and games. We will show you how to turn your nice home into a diabolical mansion, with out-of-this-world lighting, creepy contests and a menu to delight the most fiendish 10-year-olds.

All set? Then right this way, our little pretties:

DECORATIONS

Sinister Signs
Metallic Spiders
More Halloween Party Decorations

ACTIVITIES

Monster Lab
Bat Walk
Mummy Wrap
Boo am I?
Waiter!

CRAFTS

Glow-in-the-Dark Mural
Turnip Lanterns

FOOD

Monster Mash Dip
Pizza Mummies
Hairy Spider Cake
Eyes Scream
Jack-o'-Cookies

Find more ideas for Halloween Parties »