With Hallowe’en approaching and the nights drawing in, scare-loving families will begin looking for that perfect spooky film to enjoy during a cosy evening in. As many parents will testify, it isn’t always easy to find a Hallowe’en film suitable

Winnie The Witch by Valerie Thomas and Korky Paul (Oxford University Press, £12.99, 3+)It’s been 25 years since the adventures of the mishap-prone Winnie and Wilbur her cat began. Always great fun for younger children, but with a humour that never dumbs down, Winnie The Witch boo...

’s experiments which he has displayed on a shelf!Ingredients6 leaves of gelatin750ml lime (or other green-coloured) cordial drink, made according to tasteCaster sugar, to tasteGreen food colouring pasteGummy worms, teeth and other creepy Hallowe’en jelly sweets

on top of each cupcake. Tint 3 tsp of the frosting black and pipe eyes on the ghosts. Finally, sprinkle with edible glitter.Adapted from Halloween Treats by Annie Rigg (£9.99, Ryland Peters & Small)More spooky recipes...Pumpkin whoopie piesSwampy slimy

drops onto the buttercream eyes. Cut the liquorice strips into spider-leg lengths, 8 for each cookie – and tuck under the top half of each spider to serve. Adapted from Halloween Treats by Annie Rigg (£9.99, Ryland Peters & Small)More spooky recipes

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. 

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 ...

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...