Here are 13 PG-13-rated Halloween movies that are suitable for older kids and teens:
The Haunted Mansion (2003): A family visits a creepy mansion and gets entangled in a ghostly mystery in this comedic and spooky film inspired by the Disneyland ride.
The Monster Squad (1987): A group of kids forms a club to battle classic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolfman in this fun ’80s adventure.
Goosebumps (2015): Based on the popular book series by R.L. Stine, this film follows a teenager and his friends as they accidentally release a slew of monsters from Stine’s books.
Monster House (2006): While suitable for older kids, this animated film about a house that comes to life can be quite spooky and thrilling.
The Witches (1990): Based on the Roald Dahl book, this film follows a young boy who discovers a coven of witches led by the Grand High Witch. The witches have a plan to turn all children into mice.
The Little Vampire (2000): This family-friendly film tells the story of a boy who befriends a young vampire and helps him and his family become human again.
The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008): When a family moves into an old house, they discover a hidden world filled with magical creatures. They must protect a book that can control these creatures from falling into the wrong hands.
Beetlejuice (1988): This Tim Burton classic is a quirky and darkly comedic tale about a couple who dies and haunts their own house, enlisting the help of the mischievous Beetlejuice.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (2010): A young sorcerer’s apprentice must stop an evil sorceress from unleashing dark forces in this fantasy adventure inspired by the classic tale.
The Corpse Bride (2005): Another Tim Burton stop-motion film, this one tells the story of a groom who accidentally proposes to a deceased bride while rehearsing his vows.
Stardust (2007): In this fantasy adventure, a young man ventures into a magical realm to retrieve a fallen star for his beloved, only to discover that the star is a living woman.
Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015): In this animated sequel, Dracula and his friends try to bring out the vampire side of his half-human, half-vampire grandson in humorous and spooky situations.
Monster Family (2017): This animated film follows the Wishbone family as they go on a vacation to escape their everyday monster problems, only to become monsters themselves and face various spooky adventures.
Please note that while these movies are generally considered suitable for older kids and teens, individual sensitivity to spooky or scary content may vary, so it’s a good idea for parents to preview them or watch alongside their children to ensure appropriateness.
What is your big kids favorite Halloween movie? Let me know in the comments.
Shaping store-bought tapered candles with warm water is a useful technique if you want to customize their appearance. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Materials You’ll Need:
Store-bought tapered candles
Warm water
Heat-resistant container or bowl
Heat-resistant gloves (optional)
Paint Marker
Instructions:
Prepare Your Work Area:
Set up a clean and organized workspace. Lay down newspapers or a plastic tablecloth to catch any wax drips.
Select Your Candles:
Choose the store-bought tapered candles that you want to reshape. Be sure they are clean and free of any dust or debris.
Heat the Water:
Warm up a container or bowl of water to a temperature that is not too hot to touch but warm enough to soften the wax. You can use hot tap water for this purpose. You may need to warm water on the stove, depending on your water heater settings. Do not use boiling hot water because that will melt the candle too fast and make it hard to work with.
Soak the Candle:
Submerge the candle for 10-15 minutes in warm water.
Shape the Candle:
Replace the hot water with fresh hot water and start bending your candles slowly. You can create curves, twists, or other unique designs. Be cautious not to apply too much force to avoid cracking or breaking the candle.
Hold the Shape:
While maintaining the desired shape, hold the candle upright for a minute or two to allow the wax to cool and harden in the new shape.
Repeat as Needed:
If you want to reshape other parts of the candle or make further adjustments, repeat the process by dipping and shaping one section at a time.
Trim the Wick:
After you’ve achieved the desired shape, trim the wick at the top of the candle to your preferred length.
Let the Candle Cool:
Allow the reshaped candle to cool and harden completely at room temperature.
Light and Enjoy:
Once the candle has cooled and solidified in its new shape, it’s ready to be lit and enjoyed! Remember to consider how the shape of your candle will affect how it drips and plan to accommodate the hot wax accordingly.
Shaping store-bought tapered candles with warm water is a creative way to give them a unique and customized appearance, allowing you to match them to your specific decor or event theme. Just remember to exercise caution when working with hot water and warm wax to avoid burns or injuries.