Candy Alternatives for Halloween

As Halloween approaches, we often do special activities at my studio or allow students to wear costumes.  Many teachers like to reward their classes with a special treat, which historically has been candy.  I feel that as dance teachers, we have a responsibility to celebrate healthy choices and I like to search out alternatives to candy--especially with all of the food-allergies and preferences that my students have.


Coloring Pages
Such an easy and low-cost "treat"

Glow Bracelets
This is my choice for this year - trying something new and potentially something that they kids can take with them on Halloween.  I found glow bracelets on Amazon for $8.79 for 100 bracelets, so for under $20 I was able to get enough to cover my 16 weekly classes.


Stickers, Stamps & Temporary Tattoos
My elementary-aged kids love stickers, stamps and tattoos.  Not sure if their parents love them as much, but its fun to do a grab-bag of these items.

Rolls of 500 Halloween Stickers:  $9.99
72 Glitter Halloween Temporary Tattoos: $5.50
24 Halloween Stamps:  $7.95

"Haunted House" Class Picture
This one is fun to do with the older kids or students who love social media... the "Haunted House" class picture - take a group picture but tell your students to make a face like they are going through a haunted house - leads to lots of funny faces!

Slap on a filter/background and send to your students and watch them share :)


More Ideas For Those Blessed in the Craftiness Department (THANK YOU PINTEREST)

• 9 DIY Alternatives to Halloween Candy
• Lego Pumpkin Treat Bags
• Glowstick Brooms

Do you do something special with your classes for Halloween?  Do you hand out any treats?  Share in the comments!

Dance Deals: Wooden Nutcracker Ornament

Spotted this deal and wanted to share (full disclosure: I'm not getting paid for this, just sharing the good deal!):

Cute little wooden Nutcrackers!

DollarTree - Nutcracker Ornaments, 2 for $1

You have to buy a case of 48 units (so 96 ornaments), but if anyone has lots of little ones, might make a good gift for a good price!

They are 5" tall, which is a pretty decent size.

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In other news, yuck, I can't believe I posted about Christmas ornaments in October.  Shame on me!

Valentine's Love Playlist Round-Up & Sponsor Shout-Out!

I hope you've enjoyed our little series of playlists featuring songs about love!

Here are the links to each one in case you missed them:

• Children and 'Tweens'
• Jazz, Hip Hop and Ballet
• Tap
• Lyrical and Contemporary

Have a Happy Valentine's Day and now a few deals and coupons from our sponsors...

• APY Yoga System: $10 off with code: TAKE10

• Save 20% of Gaiam Yoga and Gaiam Fitness!

• Shop the celebrity styles at Manhattanite at get 15% OFF! Enter code: NYC15 at checkout.

• Barnes & Noble:   50% Off Hundreds of Kids DVDs!

Holiday Gift Idea: Teacher Survival Kit!

Need a fun and unique gift for your dance teacher? Create a "Dance Teacher Survival Kit"!  Make a list of items your dance teacher likes and create individual baskets for each teacher.  Stick it all in a cute basket or bin and wrap it up in a nice bow and you are set to go!  Since you're customizing it, you can spend as much or as little as you'd like.

Practical Gifts To Include:

• Hair ties or bobby pins if she has long hair
• Aspirin
• Mini-sewing kit
• Small screwdriver if he or she is a tap teacher
• Small massager tool (for sore muscles or feet)
• Foot lotion or bath salts (although I'm guessing she already has a closet-full)
• Pack of stickers (if they use stickers in class)

Funny Gifts To Include (you will need to add an explanation for each one):

• A marble... for when you've lost yours
• String / paperclip... to keep it all together
• Sponge... to help clean dances
• Rubber band.. to keep you flexible
• Lifesavers... because you are one!
• Stars (could be Starbursts, or an ornament)... you inspire your students to reach for the stars!
• Candle... you light up people's lives

More ideas like this from Angel's Corner

Other Gifts

• iTunes gift card
• Bottle of wine (for after a long night of teaching!)
• Gift card to his or her favorite restaurant (or to the coffee shop/sandwich shop nearby the studio)
• Christmas ornament
• Cookies or chocolate
• Gum or mints

Share your own ideas: leave a comment!

Looking for more gift ideas?  Check out our ideas from last year.
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