for their Hallowe’en treats.5. Check the bootyOnce you have completed your trick or treat route your child may be lucky enough to have a bag full of sweets or, less fortunately, monkey nuts. Inspect your child’s bag before she tucks in. It also goes without saying

may prove a tad fearsome for very young viewers, but, hey, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.Frankenweenie (PG) is in cinemas from October 17; see the trailer at www.disney.co.uk/frankenweenieMore frightfully good Hallowe'en films

Zombies were the reason I first became Dr Frankenstein with a crochet hook and yarn (or rather why I created the creatures in my book, Creepy Cute Crochet). I have a bit of a soft spot for zombie flicks. Old-school shamblers, recent remakes, undead animated by magic or mad scienc...

Celebrate the season of mists and mellowness with our bumper October edition. Highlights this month include:* The art of roughhousing Why every child needs lively physical play* Hip hallowe'en Treats, eats and ghostly gear* Art appreciation Why art

Makes 6 glassesIngredients4 glasses of blood orange juice 200g (7oz) raspberries2 glasses of iceMethodWhizz the raspberries and ice in your smoothie machine or blender. Add the blood orange juice. Pour into glasses and serve. 

for spooky Hallowe'en makes at Hobbycraft.

Serves 2–4Ingredients1 onion, peeled and chopped2 tbsp olive oilA knob of butter8 ripe tomatoes, peeled, deseeded and cut in quarters200g (7oz) spaghetti50g (13/4oz) butter Mini sausages, cookedGrated Parmesan cheeseSalt and pepper, to tastePlastic spiders, to serveMethodFirst, m...

Count Dracula may have been created by Bram Stoker in 1897, but many believe he was based on Vlad the Impaler, who existed four centuries earlier. He was originally from Transylvania (now Romania and Hungary). Like Dracula, goulash hails from eastern Europe. It was first made in ...

These ghoulish recipes are taken from Lily Vanilli's book A Zombie Ate My Cupcake (CICO Books, £9.99). For each recipe, start by making the red velvet cupcakes, then add frosting and ghastly embellishments.Red Velvet CupcakesMakes 12 cakes60g (1⁄4 cup) unsalted butter, at room te...

Scary monsters, ghosts and ghoulsReassure your child that he is safe, and help him to feel secure and less anxious. A toddler may benefit from choosing a toy that can “protect” him; an older child may be reassured if he can take the time to explain to you what is real and what is...