Pumpkin up the fun with Halloween games and activities that keep the night lively, silly, and just the right amount of spooky. Whether you’re planning a school celebration, a neighborhood gathering, or a family party, having a variety of entertainment will keep the night filled with laughter (and maybe a few squeals). From crafts to classic party pastimes with a chilling twist, here are some fun Halloween games and activities for kids to try.
🧟♀️ Spooky spins on classic games
Give traditional party games a Halloween twist with spooky versions that keep kids laughing and moving. From scavenger hunts with creepy surprises to fast-paced guessing games and musical challenges, these Halloween games for kids add just the right amount of thrill and silliness.
Eyeball scavenger hunt
Put a spooky Halloween spin on the classic scavenger hunt by hiding plastic eyeballs around the party area. Kids can search high and low, trading in their finds for Halloween candy or small prizes. For older kids, add riddles or clues to make the hunt a bit more challenging.
Halloween heads up
Play a festive version of the popular “Heads Up” game using Halloween-themed cards. Each player holds a card on their forehead with a spooky word, like jack-o’-lantern, haunted house, or trick-or-treat, while others give clues to help them guess. It’s fast-paced, full of laughs, and works well for groups of all ages.
Musical tombstones
Musical tombstones is a fun twist on musical chairs. Create a circle with chairs (minus one) and have the kids walk around them while holding printed tombstones. When the music stops, the kids try to snag a seat. If they can’t find a seat or if they drop their tombstones, they are out. Once out, they become a part of the graveyard!
🪄 Live Halloween entertainment
Candy and costumes are fun, but live entertainment takes your Halloween event to the next level. Whether you’re planning a school party, community event, or a neighborhood bash, adding professional performers keeps kids engaged and makes your event even more memorable.
Artists
Let kids take home more than just candy with creative keepsakes. Caricaturists can draw spooky portraits, while face painters transform little ones into skeletons, witches, or superheroes. Temporary tattoo artists can also add a playful touch (and a great addition to costumes!).
Unique performers
Bring the magic of Halloween to life with entertainers who interact directly with kids. Costumed characters like friendly witches, silly monsters, or superheroes make perfect photo ops, while magicians wow the crowd with tricks.
Musical entertainers
Set the mood with tunes that are just the right amount of spooky and silly. A kids DJ can keep the energy high with a dance-off when the music stops, and mix in holiday classics. Children’s musicians can also be a hit, offering unique and engaging performances.
🎃 Pumpkin-themed activities
Pumpkins aren’t just for carving. They’re the perfect centerpiece for Halloween fun! From friendly competitions to hands-on creativity, these gourd-themed activities keep kids entertained while adding a festive touch. Simple to set up and full of seasonal charm, they’re a hit for Halloween parties of all ages.
Pumpkin bowling
Line up some empty bottles wrapped in toilet paper for a mummy look. Use mini pumpkins as bowling balls and let kids take turns rolling them down the “alley.” This classic game is easy to set up and perfect for a wide range of holiday festivities.
Carved pumpkin ring toss
Set out a few carved pumpkins with their mouths open wide. Give kids glow stick rings to toss and see who can land the most inside. The glowing pumpkins serve as both Halloween decor and a functional activity, making this a festive and engaging experience.
Mini pumpkin painting station
Set up a mini pumpkin painting station where kids can unleash their creativity. Provide brushes, paint, and a small amount of food coloring for vibrant shades, along with extras like glitter, stickers, and googly eyes for added flair. Unlike carved pumpkins, these painted masterpieces last longer and are easier for little hands to decorate.
🕸️ Creepy crafts
Sometimes the best Halloween activities for kids aren’t games at all. Creepy crafts are perfect for keeping little ghouls busy between party games, and they double as festive keepsakes kids can take home. From gooey slime to custom trick-or-treat bags to tiny pet ghosts in jars, these spooky creations make Halloween even more magical.
Spooky Halloween slime
Mix up a gooey batch of slime using glue, food coloring, and glitter. Kids can add googly eyes or tiny plastic spiders for extra creep factor. This also works as a fun party favor if planning a Halloween party!
Trick-or-treat bag decorating
Provide plain tote bags, markers, stickers, and Halloween-themed cutouts. Let kids design their own trick-or-treat bags, making them extra excited for the candy haul later. It’s simple, fun, and something they can reuse year after year with their favorite Halloween costume.
Cute pet ghosts
In this fun Halloween craft, you make little “pet ghosts” in mini bottles by hot-gluing white glue into ghost shapes on foil and attaching them to fishing line. Once cooled, the ghosts are decorated with faces using a fine-tip Sharpie, placed inside small glass jars with moss, and suspended under the cork so they appear to float. Great for older kids or young kids with supervision and who want a festive, handmade Halloween decor piece.
🍭 Trunk or treat thrills
Looking for ways to take your trunk-or-treat beyond Halloween candy handouts? Adding interactive fun keeps kids engaged and makes your setup the one everyone remembers. With a mix of carnival-style games, silly photo ops, and over-the-top decor, you’ll host an event that’s both spooky and spectacular.
Carnival-style games
Bring the fair to your trunk with simple carnival games that fit the Halloween theme. Try a bean bag toss through cardboard cutouts of ghosts or monsters for a DIY approach, or hire a carnival games company to set up a mix of activities.
Photo booth with Halloween props
Transform your trunk into a mini photo booth with festive Halloween decor as the backdrop. Set out a basket of goofy props like witch hats, googly-eyed glasses, and vampire capes so kids can dress up for a quick snapshot. Parents will love the photo keepsakes, and kids will have just as much fun striking a pose as they do trick-or-treating.
All-out trunk decor and games
Turn your trunk-or-treat into both eye-catching decorations and fun Halloween games for kids. Go all out with themed trunk decor that resembles a haunted house, a fairy garden, or even a spooky moon garden. Add interactive fun with creative games, like a fishing booth to catch candy corn or a witchy coin toss with prizes.
With a bit of imagination, you can turn simple supplies into a night filled with fun Halloween party games for kids. From scavenger hunts with candy prizes to fun crafts with mini pumpkins and slime, these Halloween activities are sure to keep everyone laughing and entertained all night long. 👻
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Matt Holland is a Customer Happiness Agent at GigSalad. With 10+ years of experience performing as a jazz drummer, he has gained insights into the life of a gigging musician as well as what makes an event go off without a hitch. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, cooking, and watching the newest TV shows with his wife.