Looking for some outdoor fun with the kids? Try hosting a 'Choctoberfest'

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Giggles are guaranteed with a Flapjack Relay.

By Lisa Smith, Stretch Mark Mama

Story Published: Oct 6, 2008 at 5:00 AM PST

Story Updated: Nov 21, 2008 at 2:19 AM PST

PORTLAND, Ore. - Summer is a celebration of food. Fresh berries, juicy melon, sweet corn on the cob. But when fall rolls around, what does October have to offer?

Chocolate.

It’s not just for Halloween anymore. Chocolate deserves a holiday all to itself. In our family, we like to call it “Choctoberfest.”

“Chocolate” + “October” + “fest” = “Choctoberfest.” Even if you don’t like math, you’ll have to agree that every event goes better with chocolate.

  • Celebrating a special day? Make chocolate the theme—from games to the treats and the favors.
  • Partying with a sports team? Bring out the chocolate—you can’t go wrong.
  • Making Halloween a community event? Invite the neighbors over for chocolate—let the adults have their share in the fun.
  • Gathering with relatives? Fill a table with chocolate—it’s therapy.

Hosting a Choctoberfest outdoors gets everyone enjoying the last good days of fall. Plus, it provides lots of fresh air and space for sugar-buzzed kids to blow off some steam.

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Here are some children’s game ideas to get the party started:

  • Hand in the Glove Relay: Line the kids up in two lines and have them take turns racing to a table where there’s a pile of chocolate kisses and two pair of gloves. Each person has to put on the gloves, open a piece of candy (eating is optional), and then run back to the line.
  • Throw Me a Kiss: Participants all stand a certain distance from a laundry basket and toss chocolate kisses into the goal. Person with the most points wins. This game can be easily adjusted for different ages and abilities.
  • Chocolate Bar Hide and Seek: This classic game never fails to be a hit.
  • Chocolate Chip Flapjack Relay: Children balance any number of pancakes on a turner and race to a marked destination and back to the line—without dropping the pancakes and without using the other hand to hold them on!
  • Chocolate and Dice Game: Variations of this game abound, but the basic idea involves rolling the dice, racing to put extra clothes on, and cutting a chocolate bar with a knife and a fork. A very exciting game!

REFRESHMENTS

Fudgy Chocolate Fondue

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Melt butter in small saucepan over low heat.
  • Remove from heat; immediately stir in cocoa.
  • Add sugar and evaporated milk.
  • Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is smooth.
  • Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.
  • Serve warm with assorted fondue dippers. 

Planning food for a Choctoberfest is a breeze. The options are limitless! Here are some ideas to try:

  • Tasting party: Have each person bring a gourmet chocolate bar to share—be sure to include a couple crazy flavors as well. The more unusual flavors include things like lavender, ginger, orange peel, chili pepper, and green tea.
  • Potluck style: Everyone contributes their favorite chocolate dessert. Include something salty (pretzels, chips, or nuts) to help balance out the sweets.
  • Fondue: Borrow a fondue pot or two and let the guests provide the dippers: pound cake squares, cookies, marshmallows, cherries, grapes, mandarin orange segments, pineapple chunks, strawberries, apples, bananas.

RESOURCES

Here are some books and a website to kick your party planning off to a great start:

So this fall, give chocolate the attention it deserves. Head outside and have yourselves a Choctoberfest!

In her day job, Lisa Smith attempts to transform her three children from super-charged emotion-bombs into contributing members of society. And in her "free time," roughly 11:00-11:30 p.m., she saves the world (i.e. “writes”) via her website at www.stretchmarkmama.com.

Lisa's husband, Nathan Smith, is the photographer who provided the photos for this story.  You can find out more about his work at www.crossmarkdesign.com.

 

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