‘My favorite Halloween’ picture frame

A Halloween costume is more than just a disguise — it’s a work of art! Display this year’s photo of your costumed kids in a Halloween-themed picture frame they can make and decorate from a recycled cereal box.

Make It!

Cut out the front side of a large cereal box. Fold the cardboard in half, and then fold it one more time in the other direction. Draw a rectangle approximately 3 inches by 4 inches in the thickest corner. Using a sharp pair of scissors, an adult should cut out and discard the rectangular shape. Let your child unfold the large cardboard and — ta-da! You have an instant frame. (Note: You can vary the size of the cutout according to the size of the box and the size of your photo.)

Decorate It!

Place the plain, gray side of the cardboard frame in front of your child. Press out any creases with your hand. Put a few globs of glue on the cardboard and start affixing decorations that complement the picture you’ll eventually mount in the center. Pick all kinds of lightweight trinkets that came in trick-or-treat or Halloween-party goodie bags, like rubber spiders and a spooky plastic ring, and even some twigs. Then put a few more globs of glue down. Add fabric swatches, extra buttons and twists of ribbon if your costume was homemade. Fill in the spaces with a few fall leaves, scrunched-up wrappers from gum or maybe even an actual tiny hard candy or two. Fill the entire frame. Let dry.

Frame It!

Affix the photo to a piece of colored cardboard or mat board cut slightly larger than the cutout portion of the frame. Attach it to the back of your frame.

Enjoy It!

Sit back and admire the picture.

TIP: To hang your frame on a bulletin board or wall, glue or tape a metal flip tab from a soda can to the top of the frame. A nail or pushpin will fit through the hole.