The kids are back in school.  Mornings and evenings are feeling fall-like. It's time to start thinking about costumes and candy and craziness!  While you're at it, why not minimize waste and maximize fun!  And there's no better way to do that for Halloween than participating in National Costume Swap Day.

A costume swap is recycling at its most fun. Kids get new-to-them costumes, and parents get to save money and the planet.  National Costume Swap Day is the brainchild of Corey and Lynn, moms living right here in Issaquah, and founders of a grassroots, non-profit known as Green Halloween®. Last year Macaroni Kid partnered with Small Threads for Kids and Adventure Kids Playcare to bring this event to our community with DROP-SWAP-SHOP, and we have big plans to do it again this year!  And we're adding a second drop-off location at the new CleanScapes Store in Gilman Village.

Before you toss out that "old" costume or head to the store to buy a new one, plan to participate in National Costume Swap Day on Saturday, October 13, 2012.

Here's how ...

Anytime between now and October 12th, participants are encouraged to drop off swap-able costumes during business hours at one of these locations:

• Small Threads for Kids | 1480 NW Gilman Blvd # 3 | Issaquah
• CleanScapes Store | 317 NW Gilman Blvd, #22 | Issaquah

In exchange for costume(s) you will be given a Swap Ticket to be brought back for the event on October 13th from 8:00 am to 10:00 am at Small Threads for Kids.

If you’re a little reluctant to give swapping a try, local businesses are providing great incentives. You can also shop with 20% discount off purchases at Small Threads and get a FREE hour of childcare at Adventure Kids Playcare {additional time billed at regular rate}.  To make sure you get to the swap on time, AKP is opening early at 7:00 am.  If you're new to AKP, be sure you've filled out 1st Visit Forms.  Both offers are only valid during the event on October 13th. 

Swap participants can also expect a few goodies from Green Halloween, Macaroni Kid, and other local businesses like ... Steve's Doughnuts, Miller Family Dermatology, Village Green Yoga, Happy Family Seattle-Eastside, and more!