Through the miracle of modern technology, this Halloween you can enjoy your candy corn without gaining weight. Try using the little goodies in some fun kids' activities and games. And if you work at it hard enough, maybe you'll even burn off a few calories! And remember, October 30th is national candy corn day. There's no better way to celebrate than with some fun candy corn games.

Candy Corn Hunts

Little people love hunting games. Hide ten pieces of candy corn in a room - under the couch, behind the door, on the windowsill. You might need to throw out a few "getting warmer/colder" clues to help in the process. If you leave them uncovered, even the smallest hunters will be able to find their bright colors.

If you want to dress up the idea, put the candy in little cellophane bags and tie with decorative ribbon. Hide the bags all over - either inside or out - for a new twist on the Easter egg hunt.

Make a trail of candy corn for children to follow. Lead them through the woods, or a maze - or through a messy house. Depending on the condition of their bedrooms, you might use this idea to help your children find their beds! If you stick a toothpick into the broader end of the candy, you instantly have an arrow. Use the arrows for clues in your hunt.

Target Practice

Try an update of the old clothespins in a jar game. Have children stand on a sturdy chair or other safe elevation and drop the pieces down into a canning jar. A container with a wider opening, or a funnel might be better for really little participants, while a two liter pop bottle would present a bigger challenge, when the older kids want to show their stuff.

Remember Bozo's Grand Prize Game? Make your own with several small sand pails.

Use a piece of tape, or just a stick to give contestants a boundary line. Number the pails, placing them in a row perpendicular to the line, pail number one being closest.

Children stand behind the line and throw candy into each consecutive bucket. Keep score or issue prizes for hitting each pail. Rename the game after your favorite Halloween character.

After putting the pieces into a small sealed sandwich bag or similar cellophane bag, have a "corn bag" toss. Small fabric bags would be ideal due to their durability. After playing catch, try aiming at a target, or try throwing the bags into a container. Paint a scarecrow face on the front of a box, and cut out openings for his eyes, nose, and mouth. Different points could be awarded for getting the corn bags through these holes.

Other Fun Stuff

On a smooth surface like the dining room table, or the kitchen floor, try some shufflecorn or "bocce corn". One person acts as the referee, sliding out the first piece of candy corn. He then marks this piece with a toothpick. Contestants take turns sliding 4 different pieces as close to the referee's mark as they can. The referee determines which piece is the closest, awarding that contestant a point. Play until someone gets ten points. To eliminate confusion, marking each contestant's candy pieces would be helpful.

If you really don't mind a mess - try candy corn and frosting sculptures. Obviously, a suitably covered table or other safe surface is recommended. Thinking about it, maybe this is better as an outdoor project. Prizes could be awarded for the most extraordinary sculpture, the tallest one, the neatest one -- or maybe the one that looks most like dad.

String candy corn like popcorn. Not only is the activity fun, but also you have great decorating material when you are done! Tape several strands in a doorway, like a 70's-style beaded curtain. String some through a spooky tree in the yard. Hang it inside like party streamers or use it for jewelry.

So whether you are trying to avoid the sugar calories, looking for fun Halloween activities to occupy children excited about the holiday, or trying to find something to do with all of those left-over candy corns, you can enjoy these guilt-free pleasures.