Halloween-Inspired Games
Halloween is not just about costumes, candy, and haunted houses—it’s also a perfect time for some classic, spooky games that bring everyone together. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party for kids or adults, incorporating some fun Halloween-inspired activities can set the perfect mood for the holiday. From time-honored traditions like bobbing for apples to creative, spooky spins on party favorites, here are some games that will keep your guests entertained and laughing all night.
1. Bobbing for Apples
Let’s start with the quintessential Halloween party game: bobbing for apples. Dating back to harvest festivals, this old-school game still delivers plenty of fun and excitement. Fill a large basin or bucket with water, toss in several apples, and have contestants try to grab one using only their mouths—no hands allowed! It sounds simple, but the challenge (and the laughs) come from trying to catch a slippery apple in a basin full of water.
How to make it spookier: Add some dry ice for a foggy, eerie effect or toss in glow-in-the-dark plastic spiders for extra fun!
2. Pumpkin Bowling
Why not turn pumpkins into bowling pins? For this game, you’ll need a few small, round pumpkins (preferably with stems removed to make them stable) and one or two larger pumpkins to use as the “bowling balls.” Set up the small pumpkins in a triangle formation, just like bowling pins, and roll the larger pumpkin toward them to knock them down. It’s a hilarious twist on bowling that adds a seasonal vibe to the game.
Tip: For added difficulty, use a round gourd as the bowling ball—it’s not exactly easy to roll a bumpy, uneven vegetable down a lane!
3. Mummy Wrap Relay
This is a great group game that can be played with kids or adults alike. Divide your guests into teams, and give each team a roll of toilet paper. The goal is for one person from each team to wrap another team member up like a mummy using the toilet paper. The first team to completely wrap their mummy wins! Just make sure the mummies can still walk once they’re wrapped.
Bonus challenge: Add a spooky twist by making the mummies complete an obstacle course after being wrapped up!
4. Pin the Hat on the Witch
This Halloween version of “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” is simple and fun for all ages. Create a large poster of a witch on a broomstick (or buy one), but leave off her pointy hat. Then, blindfold players, spin them around, and have them try to “pin” a paper hat onto the witch’s head. The person who pins the hat closest to the right spot wins a prize!
Make it scarier: Use a skeleton or monster poster instead of a witch, and have guests try to “pin” bones or missing limbs.
5. Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
Bring some Halloween flair to the classic game of Tic-Tac-Toe. Use mini pumpkins and gourds as your game pieces, with one set painted black and the other painted orange. Draw or tape a large Tic-Tac-Toe grid on a table, or create one out of sticks or tape on the floor. Guests can play in rounds until one person reigns supreme!
Creative twist: Instead of painting the pumpkins, use spooky stickers or markers to give each team a set of jack-o’-lantern faces.
6. Spooky Scavenger Hunt
If you’re hosting a Halloween party with a lot of outdoor space, consider setting up a spooky scavenger hunt. Hide Halloween-themed objects (like small plastic skeletons, toy spiders, or candy pumpkins) around your house or yard, and create a list of clues that lead guests to the hidden items. You can make it more competitive by dividing your guests into teams and offering a prize for the team that finds the most items in the shortest time.
Extra spooky: Hold the scavenger hunt at night with flashlights and add eerie sound effects or fog machines for a creepy atmosphere.
7. Eyeball Pong
A fun and spooky twist on the classic party game beer pong! Instead of regular ping-pong balls, use plastic eyeballs (found at most party stores) as your balls. Set up cups in a triangle formation, and have players attempt to throw the “eyeballs” into the cups. You can play with water, juice, or a Halloween-themed punch. The first player to sink all the eyeballs wins!
Creepy variation: Make the punch in the cups look extra spooky by adding gummy worms, fake spiders, or dry ice.
8. Witch Hat Ring Toss
For a witchy twist on ring toss, create a witch hat-shaped target (you can either buy a witch hat or make one with paper and a cone). Use glow-in-the-dark rings or even glow stick bracelets, and have guests try to toss the rings onto the pointy end of the hat. The person with the most successful tosses wins!
Make it more challenging: Place the witch hats at different distances or heights to increase the difficulty level.
9. Ghost Sack Race
Add a Halloween theme to the classic sack race by turning the sacks into ghosts. Simply decorate white pillowcases or cloth sacks with ghost faces (use markers or cut-out felt), and have players hop toward the finish line while wearing their ghostly sacks. This is a great game for outdoor parties or for burning off the sugar-fueled energy from too much candy!
Extra fun: For older kids or adults, make the course a bit spookier by dimming the lights or adding obstacles.
10. Halloween Bingo
Create or buy Halloween-themed Bingo cards filled with spooky symbols like jack-o’-lanterns, bats, ghosts, and witches. Use candy corn or other Halloween candies as Bingo markers, and play rounds with small Halloween prizes for the winners. It’s a great way to entertain guests of all ages, and a perfect game for a quieter moment during a party.
Tip: You can make this game more interactive by having players call out spooky sounds or tell Halloween jokes when they get a Bingo.
Halloween games are a great way to bring out the fun and festive spirit of the holiday. Whether you’re bobbing for apples or wrapping up your friends in toilet paper, these activities will make your party memorable and entertaining for guests of all ages. So gather your favorite people, set up some spooky decorations, and let the Halloween games begin!