My favorite part of the holidays is creating themed foods for the kids. It makes the season more exciting and gives us something fun to look forward to. Halloween, in particular, is perfect for playful treats—think mummy dogs, ghost bananas, and silly monster eyes that make mealtimes memorable.
Mummy dogs have been a family tradition since my oldest was little. This year my younger two tried them for the first time and were completely enchanted. My three-year-old especially loves food that looks like characters—anything playful and familiar instantly becomes a favorite.
It was a rainy Monday with nothing special planned, so making a Halloween-themed lunch made the day brighter and got the kids excited.
Before I share the mummy hot dog recipe, here’s a little snapshot from our trip to the grocery store: we picked up a pumpkin spice latte, and I told my husband that all we needed was some colorful leaves on the trees to feel like autumn has truly arrived.
Whether it’s taking a minute to enjoy fall’s quiet beauty or watching my kids’ faces light up over silly food, these are the moments I want to focus on and remember.
Mummy Hot Dog Recipe:
You’ll need crescent roll dough, hot dogs, and mustard for the eyes. Cut a crescent roll in half, gently stretch each half to make it a bit longer, then wrap the dough strips around each hot dog to create the “mummy” look. Bake on a cookie sheet in a 375°F (190°C) oven for about 13–15 minutes, until golden. Finish with two small mustard dots for eyes.
The banana ghosts were inspired by a Family Fun idea. To make them, cut bananas in half, insert a paper straw or popsicle stick into each banana for a handle, dip them in white chocolate or candy coating, then add edible eyes and a raisin or small candy for the mouth. Let them set upright in a baking sheet or stand them in a block of styrofoam while the coating hardens.
They were so cute they might have just made it into our list of yearly traditions.
The broccoli monster eyes are a quick and healthy idea: top small broccoli florets with a round slice of cheese and place a raisin in the center to create an eyeball effect. They’re easy to assemble and add a playful veggie option to the plate.
What are your Halloween traditions? Do you have any fun, kid-friendly Halloween food ideas to share?