more kiddie ideas

Terrie's ideas are great!

From recent experience, chicken nuggets and cheese cubes also go over well with this age group. Not really harvest-y, but at least the children will EAT their lunch.

Our preschool also does a "Fall" party, rather than Halloween. But no one objected to spider snacks: Make peanut butter "sandwiches" with round crackers (e.g., Ritz). Stick straight pretzels into the peanut butter for legs. Use more peanut butter to glue mini M&Ms or raisins to the top cracker for eyes.

If you can stand to give the children forks, a squash pie--just substitute acorn or another winter squash in your favorite pumpkin pie recipe--would fit your theme. Also good, but potentially messy, would be applesauce.

If possible, serve the apple cider warm. If there is no cooking facility available at school, consider insulated carafes or thermoses.

Hope this helps. Have fun!