This year the Halloween classic “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” celebrates its 50th anniversary. To mark the occasion, I hosted a Great Pumpkin–themed Halloween party filled with Peanuts-inspired treats, decorations and activities.
I’m a big Snoopy fan, so when I realized it was the 50th anniversary of the television special I wanted to celebrate in style. I started by searching for themed party supplies and found everything I needed at Oriental Trading. They carry a wide selection of party goods, craft kits and candy to create a cohesive Peanuts celebration.
I also made themed treats. My Great Pumpkin pudding cups are quick and easy using store-bought pudding packs—perfect for a party snack. They look festive and take minimal time to assemble.
Click here for step-by-step directions.
Lucy’s exclamation—“Ack! Blech! DOG LIPS!”—always makes me laugh. No Halloween party is complete without apples, so I put a twist on bobbing for apples and made candied apples that are both festive and delicious.
The Peanuts gang as trick-or-treaters is always adorable—especially Charlie Brown’s awkward costumes and Pig-Pen’s surprise reveal. I made marshmallow ghost pops that are easy to create and perfect for kids.
Click here for a step-by-step tutorial.
When Charlie Brown complains “I got a rock,” it’s both sad and iconic. I created Rice Krispie “rocks” that are simple to make from store-bought treats and candy melts—fun and tasty enough to cheer him up.
Click here for the tutorial.
Linus’s warning—“Never jump into a pile of leaves with a wet sucker”—is memorable and inspired my leaf lollipop cupcake toppers. They’re sweet, seasonal and surprisingly easy to make.
Click here for instructions.
I decorated with Halloween Snoopy sugar cookies—Snoopy dressed as Frankenstein, a mummy, Dracula and more. They made great centerpieces and treats for guests.
Click here for step-by-step tutorials on each design.
I fell in love with a Peanuts cupcake tower I found at Oriental Trading. It’s sturdy and adorable—something I’ll reuse for future parties.
My table décor combined Great Pumpkin and Peanuts items from Oriental Trading. I used paper lanterns as part of the centerpiece by attaching them to candlesticks and placing battery-operated candles inside—they glowed beautifully. Coordinating plates, napkins and a colorful Snoopy tablecloth completed the festive look.
I loved the large, reusable plastic Peanuts cupcake toppers and the themed cupcake wrappers—they were durable and made clean-up easier.
I made a banner from orange and black crepe paper and incorporated a Great Pumpkin craft into the design instead of using it as a pop-up project. It added a handmade touch that tied the décor together.
I also created Linus’ Great Graham Pumpkin Patch using graham crackers, frosting and Halloween candy—another easy, kid-friendly display that looks great on a dessert table.
Get the directions here.
Nutter Butter Charlie Brown cookies were simple and fun to make with the kids—an easy hands-on treat everyone enjoyed.
Click here for the recipe.
Don’t forget outdoor decorations. I decorated my porch with a Great Pumpkin theme last year and the neighborhood kids loved it. It’s a great way to extend the celebration beyond the party space.
Click here for simple porch décor instructions.
For more Halloween ideas and party inspiration, visit the Peanuts-themed party resources and tutorials available on my site.