Dining In For Halloween
Dining In For Halloween
![graphic with blog title and bats](/life-skills-wellness/at-home-with-uaex/posts/health/Dining%20in%20for%20Halloween.png)
This year try dining in for Halloween!
by Original content: Heather Jackson, Pike County | Adapted for blog: Katie Cullum, White County
This Halloween if you are staying in with your family, make it a point to eat dinner together. The routine of family meals can generate feelings of closeness and comfort. Most research suggests that both parents and children value sharing a meal together. It offers time to talk and listen to each other. This simple act of regular mealtimes can provide your child with stability. This is also a great opportunity for parents to model healthy eating habits.
Make some table decorations beforehand to help make family dinner more special. Allow
your kids to collect dry
![fall leaves](/life-skills-wellness/at-home-with-uaex/posts/health/leaves-1698874_640.jpg)
leaves from outside. Then paint the leaves white. After the paint is dry, add to dots for eyes and you can lay the leaves on your kitchen table around a centerpiece or even string together the leaves to make a garland to hang in your dining area.
Here are 5 tips for making dining in easy and enjoyable:
- If dinnertime doesn’t work, have family breakfasts or snacks.
- Keeps meals simple. Slow cookers save time in the evening.
- Make family meals fun and include children in food preparation.
- Eliminate distractions such as TV and cell phones or other electronic devices.
- Eat slowly and enjoy your time as a family.