What a great opportunity to eat candy and go on a week long sugar high. However The Frugal Diva is going to step in and offer you some healthy options.

Check out Eat Well for great party recipes and treats that have a bit less sugar and a bit more nutrition.

Lindsay Olives has gone overboard on their Facebook page with cute ideas for scary snacks.

The Food Network always come through with party ideas and yummy recipes.

Have fun and post some pictures on my Facebook page in your costumes!

The Green Halloween program has a great way for you to save money and resources, build community, and take steps toward a greener Halloween: costume swaps!

Green Americans in 37 states and the District of Columbia (and two provinces in Canada) have organized community events for this weekend, October 13.

Check out the more-than-150 events that are already on the schedule, and find out how the event nearest to you is organized. Some events require prior drop-off of your old costume, others offer a more direct swap, and many are combined with other events like raffles, scavenger hunts, craft fairs, or other community events.

Inspired to host your own event? There’s still time to register a Green Halloween costume swap for National Costume Swap Day here. There’s no need to spend money on a brand-new costume every year while old costumes languish in the closet. Share that old costume with somebody else, and get a great costume in return.

Start Halloween early with free and low cost fun for the kids!

Heal the Bay presents A Fishy Fest Sat, Oct 23 & Sun, Oct 24, 12:30 – 5 pm at 1600 Ocean Front Walk, Santa Monica

The marine science center beneath the Santa Monica Pier has spooky, family friendly activities planned. Face painting and spooky story times are scheduled throughout the weekend as well. Children under 13 are admitted free with an adult; for all others, there is a suggested donation of $5 or $3 minimum admission fee.

The Pumpkin Fair

Sat, Oct 23, 11 am – 8 pm – 4220 Dixie Canyon Ave (at Ventura Blvd), Sherman Oaks   The Pumpkin Fair is a treat for the whole family! Celebrate the season with a fun-filled day/eve of rides, gigantic bouncies, haunted house, carnival games, raffles, arts and crafts, silent auction, bumper cars, costume contest, kids hay maze, face painting, magicians, animal shows, special surprise guests, exciting music and entertainment! Over 75 local vendors plus tasty food from local restaurants and MORE!!!! Free Admission – Food and drink for purchase.

Calabasas

Halloween Family Fun Sat, Oct 23, 1 – 4 pm – Leonis Adobe Museum, 23537 Calabasas Road, Calabasas Enjoy an afternoon of Halloween Family Fun with a live performance by “Dorothy” of Oz, pumpkin carving & decorating, face painting, games, crafts, music. Free if in costume or $4 admission. Each child receives pumpkin.

Apple Harvest Faire

Sun, Oct 24 – 12 noon – 5pm Beverly Hills High School – Front Lawns, 241 S. Moreno Drive  FREE Admission! The annual Faire promises to be the city’s best yet with fun for all ages! Food booths, activities, thrilling rides, pumpkin patch. Music by DJ Brandon Adams, the BHHS Marching Band, and Rod Lightning & The Thunderbolts of Love featuring Michael J. Libow. Call (310) 557-0651 for more details.

Free and low cost fun for the kids.  Start celebrating this weekend!

Haunted Halloween Carnival

Sat, Oct 30, 3 – 7 pm – Westwood Recreation Center, 1350 Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles Arts & Crafts, Music, Games, Face Painting and more. Bring the kids in costumes for the Costume Contests. For children 11 and under, $5 per child. Presented by: Barrington Rec Center, Westwood Rec Center and Crestwood Hills Rec Center.

Annual Halloween Spooktacular at Borders on Westwood Blvd.

Sat, Oct 30, 11 am – Borders, 1360 Westwood Blvd, Westwood It’s their annual Halloween Spooktacular! Kids ages 3 to 8 are invited to join in on the fun! Read scary stories, play spooky games, do a creepy craft and top it all off with a terrifying parade! Costumes are encouraged

A Howl-oween Celebration for Kids and Canines

Sun, Oct 31, 4 – 7 pm – Downtown Burbank, San Fernando Blvd, Burbank The streets of Downtown Burbank come alive on Halloween with thousands of little monsters in costume and oodles of poodles decked to the K-9s. Parents are invited to bring their goblins and ghouls for an early evening of trick-or-treating before the big ghosts come out. Downtown Burbank merchants will provide free treats from store-to-store. Following this there will be a pet parade for Dogs in Costume. Pet owners are encouraged to bring along their favorite costumed K-9 dressed for the 3rd Annual Downtown Dog Parade on the AMC Walkway at San Fernando & Palm. All well-behaved pets are welcome.

Los Angeles County Natural History Museum

Spider Pavilion Through Nov 7 – Los Angeles County Natural History Museum, 900 Exposition Blvd,Los Angeles Their one-of-a-kind Spider Pavilion is a beautifully landscaped area on the Museum’s South Lawn where spiders freely spin their spectacular webs for all to see. Tickets are sold in half-hour intervals throughout the day at a rate of $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors, and $1 for children.