When a Halloween get-together involves preschoolers (ages two through four) , the usual games of Bobbing for Apples and "Identify the Creepy-Feeling Object" aren't appropriate.

Besides having less developed skills than older children, preschoolers are easily frightened by some aspects of Halloween.

Here are some simple games that preschoolers may find fun:

"Modified Bobbing for Apples". Instead of placing apples in a pan of water, hang a string from one side of the room to another (or from a door frame). Tie a string to each apple's stem, and hang them from the "clothes line" string. It's a traditional Halloween game, and little kids may find it fun (and remember it as a Halloween activity) - without the water. Make sure the supporting string is fastened securely.

Don't use blindfolds. Tell the children to close their eyes (they won't, but they'll enjoy the game anyway). Tell them to try to bite the apple without touching the apple or string (they will touch both but will enjoy the game anyway).

An alternative to hanging the apples could be mini-doughnuts (no, they're not healthy, but it's a party) or marshmallow candies.

Cut down and remove all strings immediately after the game is over.

"Guess Which Paper Cup (a Halloween cup makes it nicer) Has Candy Under It" The name of this game says it all. Have children turn their backs while you place five or six cups upside down on a table, with candy under one. Tell them to turn around. Have one child at a time come to the table, guess until he guesses the correct cup. Give him a small prize "for being such a good guesser".

"Halloween Candy Hunt". This game is essentially the same as an Easter Egg hunt, only with Halloween candy or party favor. Hide candy (or other treat) or stickers or safe Halloween toy (mini-plastic pumpkins, for example) around the house. Have the children find them and place them in something like a Trick or Treat bag or a large bowl/basket. (A decorated bowl or basket add to the party atmosphere.) Once all the hidden treasure have been found give the children an age-appropriate prize "for being such a good 'finder'".

"Make A Pumpkin" Before the party, cut out circles (for the pumpkin's head, use orange construction paper or felt) and triangles (for its eyes, use any color but black is traditional). Cut out mouths. Hand out the pieces and have the children assemble their Jack-o-Lanterns. An adult can help each child fasten the pieces with rolled up or double-sided tape.

"Ring Around the Rosie" - Halloween Style. Have the children play "Ring Around the Rosie" to a cute Halloween song. If you don't have a preschool CD with a cute song on it, make up words for the "Ring Around the Rosie" song: "Ring around the Pumpkin. We are spooky munchkins. Hop scotch. Hop scotch. We all fall down."

A Halloween Story: Have the children sit in a circle (as much as they are willing to sit) and tell a brief, cute, Halloween story. Find some cute Halloween kittens or pumpkins (either pictures or toys), and read or act out the story. One such story might be about how a cute Halloween kitty went Trick or Treating and how people were surprised to see a kitty at their door, thought it was a child dressed up as kitty, and gave it candy until the kitty explained that she is a real cat (at which time they gave her kitty treats). Another story could be about a happy Jack-o-Lantern on a doorstep and all the different costumes came to visit. (The costumes would, of course, just happen to be the costumes the children at the party are wearing.)