The best Halloween games for kids are quick to set up, easy to explain, and fun whether you have three children or thirty. The 20 games below use things like toilet paper, paper plates, pumpkins and balloons, and none of them rely on jump scares. Each one lists roughly what age it suits, how many players work, and what you need.
Quick reference
| Game | Ages | Players | You need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mummy wrap | 4+ | Teams of 2–3 | Toilet paper |
| Pumpkin bowling | 3+ | Any | Small pumpkins or orange balls, empty bottles |
| Ghost toss | 3+ | Any | Paper plates or cups, bean bags |
| Candy corn count | 5+ | Any | Jar, candy or orange pom-poms |
| Monster freeze dance | 3+ | Any | Music |
| Halloween bingo | 4+ | Any | Printed cards |
| Witch hat ring toss | 4+ | Any | Paper cone hats, rings |
| Pin the nose on the pumpkin | 3+ | Any | Drawn pumpkin, paper noses, blindfold |
Active party games
1. Mummy wrap. Teams race to wrap one teammate in toilet paper from shoulders to ankles. First fully wrapped mummy wins. Keep faces uncovered.
2. Pumpkin bowling. Set up ten empty plastic bottles and roll a small round pumpkin (or an orange ball) to knock them over. Little ones can stand closer.
3. Monster freeze dance. Play music and have everyone dance like a monster. When the music stops, they freeze in their scariest (or silliest) pose.
4. Witch hat ring toss. Roll paper into tall cones as witch hats and toss rings made from paper plates with the middle cut out, or glow sticks joined into circles.
5. Balloon pumpkin keep-up. Draw faces on orange balloons and keep them in the air as long as possible without letting them touch the floor.
6. Spider web walk. Tape a web of yarn across a hallway at different heights. Kids climb through without touching the strings.
7. Ghost, ghost, pumpkin. Duck, duck, goose with a Halloween twist.
8. Broomstick relay. Each runner "rides" a broom (or a pool noodle) to a cone and back before handing it on.
Calm and table games
9. Halloween bingo. Use pictures of pumpkins, bats, ghosts, cats and candy. Use candy corn or cereal as markers.
10. Candy corn count. Fill a jar and let everyone guess how many pieces are inside. Closest guess wins the jar (or a sticker if you'd rather avoid candy).
11. Pin the nose on the pumpkin. Draw a big jack-o'-lantern without a nose. Blindfolded players try to stick a paper nose in the right spot.
12. What's in the box? Put safe objects with interesting textures in a covered box (cold cooked spaghetti, peeled grapes, a damp sponge) and let kids guess. Tell younger kids what it really is afterward.
13. Halloween memory. Print two copies of a few small Halloween pictures, cut them into cards, and play a matching game.
14. Coloring contest. Give everyone the same coloring page and award prizes for the most colorful, the funniest, and the most unusual. You can make a custom Halloween page with the AI coloring page generator.
15. Monster drawing relay. In teams, each child adds one part to a monster drawing, then passes it on: head, eyes, mouth, arms, legs, hat.
Hunts and outdoor games
16. Not-scary scavenger hunt. Hide paper bats, pumpkins and ghosts around the house or yard, with a list for kids to check off. For younger kids, use pictures instead of words.
17. Flashlight pumpkin hunt. After dark, hide small paper pumpkins and let kids find them with flashlights. Keep it in a safe, enclosed area.
18. Ghost toss. Stack paper cups decorated as ghosts into a pyramid and knock them down with a bean bag.
Classroom-friendly games
19. Halloween Pictionary. Write simple words on slips of paper (bat, moon, candy, spider, broom). Students take turns drawing while the class guesses.
20. Would you rather (Halloween edition). "Would you rather have a pet bat or a pet black cat?" Great for circle time and brain breaks.
Tips for a smooth party
- Plan for the youngest child. Choose friendly themes if anyone is under five or easily frightened.
- Have small prizes ready. Stickers, pencils or a coloring page work as well as candy.
- Mix active and calm games. Alternate so kids don't get overexcited.
- Check for allergies before using food in games.
- Keep costumes safe. Games with running or spinning are easier in costumes without long capes or masks.
A craft to finish
End the party with something kids can take home. Our list of Halloween crafts for kids has 25 easy ideas, and our monster coloring pages are friendly enough for the youngest guests.
