Can you believe that Halloween is almost here? I love this season. Mostly because I’m all for any excuse to dress-up. (I’m pretty jealous of the fact that it’s totally cool—adorable even—for my kindergartner to toss on a ball gown to run everyday errands, but if I tried that, I’d get some serious side-eye. Halloween is my jam, people.) And Halloween parties mean even more chances to put that costume to work.
But then there’s the stress of figuring out how to entertain all the pirates, princesses, and penguins once they arrive! What to do?! Let me help you plan your one-more-excuse-to-wear-your-costume event by offering up these fun Halloween party games.
Bobbing for Apples
One of my favorite things to do at Halloween is watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Do you remember the bobbing for apples scene in that one? Classic. Halloween costumes have come a long way since 1966—you aren’t likely to see too many kids dressed up in just a white sheet with a couple eye holes cut out of it—but there’s no reason not to indulge in some good old fashioned fun like bobbing for apples.
Mummy Wrapping Race
Divide your guests into teams of at least two (a wrappee and wrapper). Give each team a roll of toilet paper and have them wrap one team member up as a mummy. First team to wrap a mummy wins! Tip: This is not the time to get the cheap toilet paper; buy something nice and thick. If you want to up the difficulty level, tell your guests that if they tear the toilet paper, they have to start over again.
Spider Cornhole
I love occasion-specific cornhole. What can I say? I’m a Mid-Westerner. So up the fright-factor and decorate a cornhole board for Halloween. I also have to admit that I’m love the idea of hurling spiders across the lawn. Nasty things.
Glow-in-the-Dark Ring Toss
Take advantage of early fall sunsets and play a glow-in-the-dark version of ring toss. This can be a fun DIY project made of wood and glow sticks or a less permanent version in which you drop an activated glow stick in a water bottle or another clear plastic container. Either way, your guests can have some spooky fun tossing their glowing rings in the dark.
Roll-A-Monster
This is a fun game that can get as creative and artsy as you want to make it! The simplest version would have guests rolling dice and drawing their monster. Or you could use this printable set to print and cut out a bunch of monster parts. If you’re feeling really crafty, you can even make a 3-D version using clay or Crayola Model Magic, googly eyes, straws, and whatever other fabulous crafty bits you like. Or skip the monster part altogether. Get yourself a foam sticker activity bucket and create your own key for rolling a jack-o-lantern.
Donut Race
If bobbing for healthy apples isn’t your thing, how about a donut-eating race? Go for an apple cider or pumpkin spice donut for a fall flavor, or powdered sugar donuts for a ghostly mess. If you’re inside or in an area with no tree branches low enough to tie your donuts to, you can run a rope or ribbon across a room or outdoor space and tie your donuts-on-strings to that. The first person to finish wins—but really, everyone’s a winner in this game, because… donuts.
Sticky Spider Web
Create a web using painter’s tape—or colorful masking tape to keep you’re your Halloween theme. Your flies can be as simple as balled-up paper recycling or you can come up with a cuter or spookier design to delight your guests. Toss the flies at the web to see how many flies your spider can catch.
Pumpkin Hunt
This is a fun outdoor activity for your party guests. If it’s going to be light outside during your party, you can hide mini pumpkins all over your yard or a park, and let your guests go pumpkin hunting. If you’re hosting an evening event, stuff some (large) orange plastic eggs with small glow sticks or LED finger lights. Your guests will have a great time looking for hidden “pumpkins” in the dark.
Now take these ideas and plan that party! Here’s to another reason to dress up and have a frightfully fun time this Halloween season!