Back in the "olden" days, Halloween was one of the most exciting times of the year. Kids dressed up in costumes and paraded down the street holding flashlights and paper bags heavy with candy.

We knew most of the neighbors, but even if we didn't, we stopped at their houses anyway. Apples with razor blades or poisoned candy were unheard of. This was fun . . . good clean fun.

Oh, we might have dressed up like a vampire or witch one year, but we weren't worshipping the devil. We also dressed up like pink pigs and hobos, but we weren't worshipping mud holes either.

Join me on a trip of Halloween sites, where kids are allowed to be kids, and potential cavities are forgotten for one night.

Let's begin at Haunted America, where we'll find a listing of haunted attractions nationwide. Click on a state to see what spooky events it offers. Learn tips and tricks for makeup and props, or peruse the Killer Cookbook for tantalizing recipes such as the Spider Web or Ghouls in the Graveyard. Be sure to try The Nightscape, a shockwave Halloween experience.

Here's a site with something for everyone:The Fun Room's Halloween Area. Read Halloween Safety Tips, or discover how to make Gauze Ghosts or a Paperbag Scarecrow. Play exciting Halloween games such as Muffin Ramp Game or Bobbing for Donuts. You'll also find recipes such as Pumpkin Cookies and Mulled Apple Cider.

Every year, parents spout off Halloween safety rules as their children dash out the door. Now, parents can type in the URL for The Official Halloween Safety Game, and their kids can play online. If they give a wrong answer, here's what they see: THE BOOGEYMAN GOTCHA!

Booville is a totally delightful site with areas such as Halloween Haunts, Boo Books, and Trick Net Treat. Got a spell you'd like to cast? Brunhilda, the resident witch, will take care of it for you.

How would you like to participate in an Internet seance? No? What if I told you that we're trying to conjure up Houdini, who died on Halloween day, 1926? Visit Halloween Seance on the Internet to see if the famous escape artist escapes death in '97. The site also features historical information about Houdini from the Houdini Museum.

Come with me as we visit The Ghost Web, the official website of the International Ghost Hunters Society. We'll stop by the Ghost Web Photo Gallery, where we'll see the largest gallery of ghost pictures on the Net. We'll learn of local ghost clubs, or read true ghost stories. Need a ghost detector? You'll find one for sale at the site.

If you think this Halloween will be just another boring day, head on over to Sympatico: Halloween. You'll find links to horror movie sites, the history of Halloween, and party ideas. Learn how to make great fake blood on a budget, or visit an online Ouija Board.

A site that offers Halloween links for and by kids is Dark Side of the Web: YaBoo Halloween Page. Visit online chat areas for teens, Family Fun Magazine's Haunted House Party, or Billy Bear's Halloween.

For tricks, treats, and even a chance at winning prizes, stop by the Night of the Living Yahoo! Visit Monsterpedia, "your guide to the Ghoulies and Ghosties and Long-Legged Beasties and Things That Go Bump in the Night." In fact, this area claims to have so many monsters that they have to use Monster Repellent. The Trick-O-Meter features Halloween songs and costume hints of all kinds, like In the Fuzz, which helps you create your very own hairy costume. You'll also discover ghost stories and a Paranormal Panel.

At Halloween Tricks and Treats, you'll find mouth-watering recipes like Edible Eyeballs and Green Slime. Visit a haunted house, or read Halloween poems or pumpkin stories.

Would you enjoy an interactive haunted house filled with monsters, secret passages, and trap doors? At The Haunted Homepage, you'll also find a collection of pumpkin carving stencil patterns, a safety checklist, scary sound files, and eerie Halloween lore.

For free online Halloween greeting cards, visit the Awesome Halloween Greeting Cards Site.

A site that will help you look your very best on Halloween is the Halloween Costume Closet. You'll find costume ideas as well as sources for materials.

Visit Sylvan's Halloween Haunt for clipart, Halloween software, and word puzzles. Under craft projects, you'll learn how to make different variations of Halloween Tic-Tac-Toe.

Robin Nobles is a freelance writer who can be reached at robinnobles@robinsnest.com.

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