Throw a Colorful Kids' Birthday Party

Use food and decorations to express the theme.

1. Start with a white tablecloth.
2. Lay 4 lengths of rainbow ribbon on top of it, 2 running down the length of the table 3″ from the edge and 2 across the width of the table 3″ from the edge, to form a border.
3. Fill tall drinking glasses with water, then add a few drops of food coloring—and a single spider mum—to each.
4. Set out a buffet of multicolor fruit and candy (licorice, orange slices, lemon drops, green jelly beans and blue M&M's), with small cups so kids can serve themselves.

Send them off with an oversize lollipop, plus colorful crayons they can help to whip up themselves.

1. Gather used or new crayons in an assortment of colors and remove wrappers, and break into small pieces (1″ or shorter).
2. Arrange them in a single layer in the cups of a silicone muffin pan with star- or heart-shaped molds.
3. Place pan on a foil-lined cookie sheet and bake for 20 minutes at 175°F.
4. Remove pan from oven and let cool completely (to speed up the process, place the pan in the freezer).
5. Turn pan upside down, and pop out the crayons.