Special to Official Kids Mag
Come the end of October, kids across
the country, just like you, eagerly await
the tricks and treats of Halloween. Plenty
of fun is to be had on October 31, when
hordes of costume-clad kids and adults
scour neighborhoods on the hunt for
the best candy. But prior to Halloween
comes the trickery, jokes and gags of
Mischief Night.
Mischief Night also may be referred to
as Cabbage Night, Goosey Night, Moving
Night, Mat Night, or Devil's Night. In
parts of the United Kingdom, it's known
as Mischievous Night, Miggy Night, Corn
Night, or Trick Night.
Mischief Night is October 30 and began
as an informal holiday when friends
pranked one another. While Halloween
is all about the treats, Mischief Night is
more about the tricks.
The earliest references to Mischief
Night date back to 1790s Britain.
By the 1930s and 1940s, Mischief Night
became popular in the United States.
Ringing false alarms, covering trees
in toilet paper, shaving cream fights,
switching doormats or outdoor furniture,
and ringing doorbells and running are
some popular Mischief Night pranks.
Much of the behavior consists of
harmless fun, but Mischief Night has led
to some unsavory acts.
But that doesn't mean people looking
to engage in some good-natured mischief
cannot have their fun. Neighbors can
host backyard mischief parties in which
kids contain their antics to one or two
yards.
Mischief Night precedes Halloween and
is still popular for many people. Keeping
pranks fun and harmless ensures that
this tradition can stick around for years
to come.
NOTE: OFFICIAL KIDS MAG DOESN'T
ENDORSE ANY OF THESE ACTIVITIES
AND YOU SHOULDN'T EITHER.
What's
Mischief Night?
faces or intricate designs, looking
down onto the pumpkin provides
more control.
• Don't cut all the way through.
Many pumpkin designers end up
shaving or scraping off the outer
rind of the pumpkin, but leave a
delicate orange film underneath.
Light can still shine through, but
the design will not collapse on
itself as easily if you were to cut
straight through the pumpkin wall.
Experiment with different tools to
achieve the desired look.
• Maintain the freshness. Rubbing
exposed areas of the pumpkin
flesh with petroleum jelly may help
keep the pumpkin moist. Some
designs will last for a few days.
However, since pumpkins are highly
perishable, it's wise to wait to carve
until a day or two before putting a
pumpkin on display.
Mischief Night falls on
the evening before
Halloween, bringing
with it lots of
tricks and pranks.
Off icialKidsMag.com • OC T & NOV 2018 • 11
