30 Easy Halloween Dinner Ideas for Kids

Brianne Izzo
·6 min read

Halloween dinner ideas for kids make the holiday even more fun! It may seem like a day that is all about the treats, but it's certainly not a trick to make sure you fuel up your little ghouls and goblins for their journey through the neighborhood—or even around the house this year. And it's even better when you serve a spooky supper like one of these fun Halloween food ideas for the main meal or even add an extra scary sweet treat after dinner!

Related: 31 Best Halloween Food and Drink Recipes

I’m just not good at getting creative with my food. Oh, flavors and ingredients, sure that I can do. But as far as making it look like something else—like those cute spider cookies or graveyard pudding cups—that’s not my area of expertise. Now as a parent, I want to be able to celebrate holidays with extra-special meals. I guess I blame Pinterest for this inclination to dress up dinner. I mean, I think when I was a kid, for Halloween, my mom just cooked up some hot dogs or macaroni and cheese (and didn’t try to make them look like fingers or brains) because all I wanted to do was eat quickly and get to the candy. You have to admit though, there is something about trying to freak out your kids by telling them they are having rats and snakes for dinner!

Related: Healthy Halloween Snacks Kids Will Love

What to Make for Halloween Dinner:

Here are just some of the ideas we have for some ghoulishly good grub:

  • Crescent rolls wrap up your dishes into mummies and snakes.

  • Orange bell peppers can be carved into a Jack O'Lantern stuffed with Shepherd's Pie or chili.

  • Olives are a great way to add eyeballs and spiders to pizza, dips, soups and more.

  • Classics like snack mixes, popcorn balls, charcuterie boards and cereal treats are easy to make spooky and seasonal.

  • Halloween cupcakes are easy to decorate to turn into bats, mummies and bubbly cauldrons.

Best Halloween Dinner Ideas for Kids

<p>Teresa Blackburn</p><p>A retro treat you can make even more indulgent by dipping them in melted chocolate chips and your favorite candies.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/halloween-popcorn-balls-ultimate-salty-145103476.html" data-ylk="slk:Halloween Popcorn Balls;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Halloween Popcorn Balls</a></strong></p>
<p>Cali'flour</p><p>With a few shortcuts, you can make these as easy kid-friendly bite-sized meals before trick-or-treating.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="/1108712/kelli_acciardo/mini-mummy-pizzas-halloween-recipe/" data-ylk="slk:Mini Mummy Pizzas;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Mini Mummy Pizzas</a></strong></p>

Cali'flour

With a few shortcuts, you can make these as easy kid-friendly bite-sized meals before trick-or-treating.

Get the recipe: Mini Mummy Pizzas

<p>Teresa Blackburn</p><p>Load it up with fruit, veggies, crackers or chips and a sweet-and-savory pumpkin spice hummus recipe, it's a frightfully festive snack board.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="/1274566/parade/halloween-charcuterie-board-and-pumpkin-spice-hummus/" data-ylk="slk:Halloween Charcuterie Board;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Halloween Charcuterie Board</a></strong></p>
<p>Apron Strings</p><p>The fun and healthy side dish uses rice which is cooked to a bright orange color with carrot juice and then shaped to form mini pumpkins and olives for eyes and a mouth.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="/1274421/aliceknisleymatthias-2/gluten-free-carrot-rice-jack-o-lanterns/" data-ylk="slk:Carrot Rice Jack O' Lanterns;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Carrot Rice Jack O' Lanterns</a></strong></p>
<p>David Burtka</p><p>This recipe is basically spaghetti and meatballs, but make it Halloween with pesto, cheese and olives.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="/943553/kelli_acciardo/david-burtka-spooky-spaghetti-with-ghoul-eyes-recipe/" data-ylk="slk:Spooky Spaghetti with Ghoul Eyes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Spooky Spaghetti with Ghoul Eyes</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/50-silly-spooky-halloween-games-205254667.html" data-ylk="slk:Fun Halloween Games;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Fun Halloween Games</a></strong></p>
<p>Cupcakes and Kale Chips</p><p>You'll have heads turning with this spooky twist on shepherd's pie.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://cupcakesandkalechips.com/shepherds-pie-stuffed-peppers/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Jack O’ Lantern Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Peppers;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Jack O’ Lantern Shepherd’s Pie Stuffed Peppers</a></strong></p>
<p>Katie Workman</p><p>These adorable cupcakes don’t take much more time to make than a regular batch, but a few extra moments for the frosting makes them terrifically terrifying.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/842775/katieworkman/how-to-make-the-cutest-and-easiest-mummy-cupcakes-for-halloween/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Mummy Cupcakes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Mummy Cupcakes</a></strong></p>
<p>Moore or Less Cooking</p><p>This Halloween punch is a tasty and creepy drink that looks like it’s bubbly toxic waste with slimy worms crawling out of it.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/1098800/nettiemoore/creepy-crawler-halloween-punch-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Creepy Crawler Halloween Punch;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Creepy Crawler Halloween Punch</a></strong></p>
<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>A fun fall treat that is as simple as taking a bunch of favorite autumn treats and dumping them together in a bowl.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="/1093069/kristamarshall/scarecrow-crunch-halloween-snack-mix/" data-ylk="slk:Scarecrow Crunch;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Scarecrow Crunch</a></strong></p>
<p>Cupcakes & Kale Chips</p><p>Stab a skewer into chunks of meat and drown it in an oozy red puddle.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://cupcakesandkalechips.com/steak-bites-bloody-maria-dipping-sauce/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Steak Bites with Bloody Maria Dipping Sauce;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Steak Bites with Bloody Maria Dipping Sauce</a></strong></p>
<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>With chocolate pudding, Oreo dirt, and gummy worms, if you can get your kids to say “ewwww” when it comes to food, and still eat it, you’re winning major mom points.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/1095743/kristamarshall/worms-in-dirt-dessert/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Worms In Dirt Dessert;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Worms In Dirt Dessert</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/905897/lesley_chen/funny-halloween-instagram-captions/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Hilarious Halloween Instagram Captions;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Hilarious Halloween Instagram Captions</a></strong></p>
<p>Recipe Runner</p><p>These pizzas are crawling with yumminess.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://reciperunner.com/mini-spider-pizzas/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Mini Spider Pizzas;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Mini Spider Pizzas</a></strong></p>

Recipe Runner

These pizzas are crawling with yumminess.

Get the recipe: Mini Spider Pizzas

<p>Alan Richardson</p><p>Start with chocolate cupcakes and add a simple homemade cream cheese frosting and black pearl candies for a cute treat the kids might want even more than candy.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/1097323/parade/bat-cupcakes-halloween-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Bat Cupcakes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Bat Cupcakes</a></strong></p>
<p>Krista Marshall</p><p>The spooky snack you can feel good about feeding the kids because they are made with bananas and yogurt.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/1095784/kristamarshall/ghost-pops-halloween-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Ghost Pops;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Ghost Pops</a></strong></p>
<p>George Duran</p><p>Hostess Twinkies are dipped in chocolate, then striped with white icing and two candy eyeballs to create a platter of fun mummies.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://parade.com/1083973/parade/frozen-twinkie-pop-mummies-recipe/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Frozen Twinkie Pop Mummies;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Frozen Twinkie Pop Mummies</a></strong></p>
<p>Cupcakes & Kale Chips</p><p>Just in time for Halloween, kids can make these easy chocolate cupcakes that look like a bubbling cauldron of witches' brew.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://cupcakesandkalechips.com/witches-brew-halloween-cupcakes/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Witches Cauldron Cupcakes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Witches Cauldron Cupcakes</a></strong></p>
<p>Fork and Beans</p><p>Scare up some dipping fun.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.forkandbeans.com/2016/09/20/halloween-guacamonsters/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Halloween GuacaMonsters;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Halloween GuacaMonsters</a></strong></p>

Fork and Beans

Scare up some dipping fun.

Get the recipe: Halloween GuacaMonsters

<p>Cupcakes & Kale Chips</p><p>You’ll have a monster of a good time when you spookify the traditional cereal treats with chocolate, peanut butter and marshmallows.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://cupcakesandkalechips.com/count-chocula-peanut-butter-marshmallow-treats/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Count Chocula Peanut Butter Marshmallow Treats;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Count Chocula Peanut Butter Marshmallow Treats</a></strong></p>
<p>Cupcakes & Kale Chips</p><p>This easy recipe starts with a store-bought sugar cookie dough with Oreo dirt, gummy worms and chocolate ganache to make a tasty but gross treat the kids will love.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="https://cupcakesandkalechips.com/worms-dirt-cookie-cups/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Worms and Dirt Cookie Cups;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Worms and Dirt Cookie Cups</a></strong></p>
<p>Big Bear's Wife</p><p>This is the only slithering creature I ever want to see on my dinner table.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.bigbearswife.com/rattlesnake-bite-hot-dog-appetizers/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Rattlesnake Bite Hot Dogs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Rattlesnake Bite Hot Dogs</a></strong></p>
<p>A Mind Full Mom</p><p>Turn this Tex-Mex treat into something cute to eat.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://amindfullmom.com/pumpkin-mexican-pizza/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Pumpkin Mexican Pizza;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Pumpkin Mexican Pizza</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/100-howl-arious-halloween-jokes-235040948.html" data-ylk="slk:Best Halloween Jokes;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Best Halloween Jokes</a></strong></p>
<p>Neighborfood</p><p>Load those mashers with savory toppings and scary decorations.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://neighborfoodblog.com/2014/09/loaded-mashed-potato-casserole.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole</a></strong></p>
<p>Cotter Crunch</p><p>Devilishly delicious for your dinner table.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.cottercrunch.com/paleo-deviled-egg-eyeballs/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Deviled Egg Eyeballs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Deviled Egg Eyeballs</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://parade.com/513911/lindsaylowe/cheap-easy-diy-halloween-decorations/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Easy DIY Halloween Decorations;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Easy DIY Halloween Decorations</a></strong></p>
<p>Sumptuous Spoonfuls</p><p>Snack on these freaky fingers, skulls and more made from veggies.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.sumptuousspoonfuls.com/halloween-veggie-tray/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Halloween Veggie Tray;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Halloween Veggie Tray</a></strong></p>
<p>Shugary Sweets</p><p>Gross out the kiddos with these awesomely repulsive rodents.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.shugarysweets.com/2014/10/bloody-rats-meatloaf" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Bloody Rats Meatloaf and Bones Breadsticks;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Bloody Rats Meatloaf and Bones Breadsticks</a></strong></p>
<p>Peas and Crayons</p><p>I think someone is watching me.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://peasandcrayons.com/2015/10/spooky-halloween-monster-mash-soup.html" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Spooky Halloween Monster Mash Soup;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Spooky Halloween Monster Mash Soup</a></strong></p>
<p>The Complete Savorist</p><p>Somebody was getting careless with the kitchen knife.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://www.thecompletesavorist.com/daily-savorings-blog/bandaged-fingers-halloween" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Bandaged Fingers Halloween Hot Dogs;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Bandaged Fingers Halloween Hot Dogs</a></strong></p>
<p>Pocket Change Gourmet</p><p>Creepy enough to make you want your mummy, umm, mommy.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://pocketchangegourmet.com/halloween-party-food-mummy-calzone/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Mummy Calzone;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Mummy Calzone</a></strong></p>

Pocket Change Gourmet

Creepy enough to make you want your mummy, umm, mommy.

Get the recipe: Mummy Calzone

<p>Like Mother Like Daughter</p><p>Bite them before they bite you.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://lmld.org/2014/10/06/chicken-sandwich-monsters/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Chicken Sandwich Monsters;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Chicken Sandwich Monsters</a></strong></p>

Like Mother Like Daughter

Bite them before they bite you.

Get the recipe: Chicken Sandwich Monsters

<p>Healthy Slow Cooking</p><p>A monstrously good meatless meal.</p><p><strong>Get the recipe: <a href="http://healthyslowcooking.com/super-scary-spicy-chili-stuffed-jack-o-peppers/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Scary Spicy Chili Stuffed Jack-O-Peppers;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Scary Spicy Chili Stuffed Jack-O-Peppers</a></strong></p><p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/50-halloween-trivia-questions-answers-172039686.html" data-ylk="slk:Halloween Trivia;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Halloween Trivia</a></strong></p>