So, we're planning this really cool Hallowe'en party...
 

I know Hallowe'en isn't for a couple of months, but I have to book the night of October 28 off so I can help out with a Hallowe'en party that my older sisters are planning together for their kids and a few of their classmates. (and, by few, I mean the whole classroom)

Before I go on, I should state that my sisters and I are huge fans of the Harry Potter series, and we know far more about the book series than we really should.

So, we figure...why not create a Hallowe'en party where we turn my sister's house into Hogwarts, and where we adults dress like the characters in the book and where the kids are students?

That's exactly what we're doing.

All of us are excited about this project, and we're starting to plan it out right now so we'll be ready. My sibs have done a lot of preparation. Last Hallowe'en, they stocked up on old Harry Potter costumes, and they've actually ordered bits and pieces to help transform the house into Hogwarts.

All of us have been given parts to play as well. For instance, one of my sisters has really curly hair, so she's going to brush it out to play Professor Trelawney...and, my brother-in-law is playing the role of Mad-Eye Moody. Should be quite hilarious. We also got a couple of people to play Madame Sprout, Snape and Hagrid. As for me, my role will be largely behind the scenes. Apparently, I'm in talks to be the sorting hat, where I will be sorting my 6 year old nephew and his friends (consider them first year students at Hogwarts), and I'll also be playing a Hogwarts prefect that shows each group to a different class. As of right now, we still need a Dumbledore, a McGonagle, and Cornelius Fudge...but we'll see.

All the kids will be sorted out into the 4 houses (Gryffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw), and at each station, they'll be awarded points, where the winning house gets the house cup, but we plan on having prizes for all the kids. And, we're also going to work out a special Hogwarts menu that includes things like pumpkin tarts, and making our own bundles of Bertie Botts Flavour Beans for the kids to munch on.

And, outdoors, we're even going to hang up old brooms, golden ornaments to look like the snitches and other things to make it look like a Quidditch tournament is actually going on.

If all goes to plan, this could be the best Hallowe'en party ever!

We've got a lot of ideas in store, but we're always looking for more. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

You should dress someone up as the Whomping Willow with branches and leaves on them. Put them outside and have them surprise jump guests as they arrive. :)

That is a really cool idea! Some of the little kids might get scared, but the older kids would love it!

And of course you have to have the long tables with the food and the cool centerpieces. Ooh! And floating jack o lanterns!

It might be fun to have a sort of mini Diagon Alley, where you have booths or stations set up representing some of the stores- the kids could go through this prior to being sorted. (Give out play wands, candy, etc).

Sounds great. We do a pumpking carving party every year. I just spread out plastic table cloths all over my kitchen floor and let the kids go at it, then they take the pumpkins home. Easy clean up I just gather up the tablecloths and trash em with all the pumpkiny guts in the middle.

I may need to swipe some of your ideas for this years event.

Time management.

Something like the whomping willow mentioned above can take a large amount of time to setup (plus it requires a full time person) for about 2 seconds of fun per kid. Make sure you have enough activities for them interested based on the length of the party. Costumes and decorations do not keep kids busy and a busy kid is a happy kid.

I couldn't go to this party. I'd spend the entire evening trying to get into Snape's crotchety pants.

Yes, activities
 

Potions, quidditch. Kids who misbehave can be sent to Azkaban or under the stairs.

I like the way you think, Strangler.

I may borrow the Azkaban idea, for everyday use. I'm fresh out of Dementors, but I could throw in some of Eric's socks.