Halloween Media: Fun For Free! Apps, Sendables, Playlists, Games

Update Oct. 31, 2016 Appy Halloween? 2016 freebies include a spooktacular JibJab 'story bot' to insert and personalize wee ones into Halloween kids' books...Our friends at Common Sense Media offer a slew of apps with ages and stages reviewed and noted, and a host of Streaming Scary Movies for insta-atmosphere media fun. For older teens and the selfie crowd, these … [Read more...]

Selling Insecurity For Profit, Telling Kids Creativity Doesn’t Count?

October 26, 2010 I’ll recap Spark Summit takeaways soon, but with Halloween around the corner, I have a few timely tidbits that go beyond the need to Spark Change over sexualized costumes and look at the blinding message of consumerism triumphing creativity overall. When corporations undermine our values and put a ‘not good enough’ angst-inducing spin on children’s creative … [Read more...]

Media Morsels for Lil’ Goblins: Next to New BOOks as Treats!

Oct. 29, 2009 Every year I try to come up with ‘green Halloween goodies’ or attempt to find ‘healthier’ ideas that are not a snore or a bore... just to balance out the gobs of candy kids receive and seed the concept that other treats can be even cooler than standard fare. The trick is to go for the wide smile alternative and the ‘value-add’ as they say in marketing, because … [Read more...]

“I’m Not A Prude, But…”

Oct. 23, 2009 How many times have you heard that preface to a conversation about pop culture lately? Tweens? Teens? Okay, I promised NOT to do a Halloween Horrors bit on girls' costumes and tramp vamp cues (been there, done that) BUT the irony in the timing of this post from Australia titled, "Musical Tarts are Infecting Our Children" that referenced us here at Shaping … [Read more...]

Reverse Trick or Treating? Isn’t That, Um, Marketing?

As one who is always looking for an easy ‘twofer’ (whether it’s a sunscreen that moisturizes, an inside-out raincoat, or a trick or treating door-knock to recycle unused toys) I started pondering the various green Halloween campaigns I’ve been involved with on Eco Child's Play and beyond, to see if they qualify as “reverse trick or treating.” There’s a fine line here…There’s … [Read more...]