40 Halloween Games for Kids That Will Keep Your Little Monsters Entertained
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Perhaps you’re hosting a Halloween party this year and need to keep the kids entertained (lest they wreak havoc on your home), or maybe your own brood is chomping at the bit in anticipation of fright night and you want to seize the opportunity for some family-friendly holiday fun. Whatever the reason, you’ve decided that neither scary Halloween movies nor festive crafts will cut it, and you’ve come here in search of something to play. Good news: We’ve got you covered with our roundup of Halloween games for kids that includes relay races, toddler-friendly sensory games, candy corn STEM challenges and so much more.
RELATED: 33 Family Halloween Costumes Everyone Can Get In On
1. Candy Corn Toothpick Towers
Turn Halloween candy into a tool for enrichment with an entertaining STEM game that promises to put kids’ engineering skills to the test. Children compete to build the tallest structure using only pumpkin candies and toothpicks—just be sure to have a timer handy, because once a tower has been completed, it has to stand tall for at least 30 seconds. Young party goers will get a kick out of this exciting challenge and parents will appreciate the opportunity to postpone the inevitable sugar rush (for a little while at least).
2. Halloween Charades
This printable game of charades features festive and kid-friendly prompts (“carving a pumpkin” and “eating candy”) that are easy enough to invite participation from even the youngest guests. Simply print and cut out the playing cards and let the goofy entertainment begin. Best of all, this classic game promises to keep a group of kids quiet for a spell, so we suggest you bust it out when things start to get a touch too rowdy.
3. The Haunted Mansion Board Game
Haunted houses can be intense, especially for the under ten set, but kids six and up can get a milder introduction to the Halloween tradition with this haunted mansion board game. The rules of this family-friendly game are straightforward and the play is plenty engaging—just keep in mind that this one can only accommodate up to four players, so it is best-suited for a holiday gathering where only a few little ghouls and goblins are present.
4. Halloween Bingo
Another classic game that comes in free, printable form, these bingo cards boast cute Halloween pictures that the preschool crowd can easily identify. It may not be the spookiest game on the list, but this old standby will come in handy when the kids at the party need to regroup with a low-key activity.
5. Spider Race Game
Any kind of race is bound to be immensely popular with the more energetic guests at the party, but running indoors can be problematic, to say the least. The solution? Satisfy the young competitive spirit with an exciting spider race, instead. A little pre-party crafting is required, but you might be grateful for the kid-friendly project when you’re wrestling with the rest of the decorations.
6. Halloween Darts Game
Is there anything scarier than children armed with darts? Nope, which is exactly why you should set the kiddies up with this game at your Halloween party. Kidding! There are no sharp instruments in this darts game. In fact, there aren’t any darts at all. Nevertheless, kids will have a blast launching these small hook-and-loop balls at the dart board, and parents can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that there’s no risk of property damage or physical injury involved.
7. Marshmallow Ghosts on a String Game
This entertaining Halloween game is sort of like bobbing for apples, but the prize is sweeter and the process is far more sanitary. The gist of it is that a bunch of marshmallows are strung from a witchy broomstick and kids compete to eat the spooky treat in its entirety without allowing it to fall on the floor, which is especially difficult because hands must remain behind backs. The adults holding the broomstick can make the game even harder by lifting and swaying it, but either way the game is fun for all ages and the spectacle is truly hilarious.
8. Ping Pong Eyeball Bounce
This game of hand-eye-coordination is like a kid-friendly, booze-free version of beer pong, but with an easier target—a trick-or-treat basket takes the place of the red solo cup. It’s a cinch to set up this indoor activity—just clear a table and decorate a couple ping pong balls for a ghoulish effect—and the play requires enough skill to keep kids engaged for a good while.
9. Pass the Skeleton Bone Race
Any child who’s old enough to get dressed independently can get in on this indoor-friendly race in which members of a team use a bone and a ball of yarn to weave themselves together. The team that uses the bone to complete the human chain first wins. Bottom line: This one is fast-paced, exciting and great for larger groups of kids.
10. Pin the Spider on the Web Game
Pin the tail on the donkey is such a beloved event that it has been given a variety of makeovers to suit nearly every holiday and celebratory event...and Halloween is no exception. You can probably guess how this one goes: Blindfold a kid, spin him around and watch him fumble about as he tries to stick the spider in the center of its web. This tried-and-true party game is, as always, as much fun the player as it is for those watching while they wait their turn.
11. Candy Jar Guessing Game
If you’re seeking a passive game that requires negligible prep work and no supervision whatsoever, the candy jar guessing game has got you covered. Commonly found at fairs and carnivals, this competition requires visual-spatial reasoning skills for a win. Fill a jar up with Halloween candy, put out a basket and some slips of paper, and by the end of the night, the child-genius of the bunch will have been identified. (Don’t worry, though—everyone else will be content to console themselves with candy corn in the end.)
12. Skeleton Bone Dig
A game that involves digging up human remains is decidedly sinister, but in this case still appropriate for kids of all ages. In fact, the little ones will enjoy this one especially since this activity provides a stimulating sensory experience that pairs well with the thrill of discovery. Best of all, this one can be adapted to the needs of your young guests: Keep it lowkey and leisurely for the toddler crowd or set up separate buckets and split young players into teams for a fast-paced competition for slightly bigger kids.
13. Craft Stick Pumpkin Candy Catapult
Only a few basic materials—rubber bands, craft sticks and a hot glue gun—are needed to engineer these candy catapults, but the novelty factor is big. Seriously, any game that involves launching stuff into the air is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Don’t believe us? Just try this one out and watch grown-up guests gather around like moths to the flame while the kids send stuff flying...hopefully not too far from the target.
14. Glow-In-the-Dark Pumpkin Ring Toss
The classic lawn game gets a festive twist thanks to the pumpkin and the spooky aesthetic that glow sticks provide—and let’s be honest, glow sticks have a special place in all of our hearts, right? The hardest part of setting this game up is finding a pumpkin with a substantial enough stem. (Hint: If the pickings are slim, you might want to plan ahead and pay a visit to a patch that allows you to cut your own from the vine.) Other than that, this party game is as low-maintenance as can be, and fun for all ages to boot.
15. Pumpkin Memory Game
Score some basic supplies—orange and white paper plates, construction paper, a glue stick—and charge your child with the execution of this simple craft prior to the party. You’ll get a chance to tend to other things (like cocktails for the grown-ups), and your kid’s finished project will provide everything required for a rousing game of memory once the guests arrive. This one’s an all-around winner: Thoughtful and quiet, yet challenging enough to hold the attention of the not-so-easily entertained tweens in attendance
16. Popcorn Pumpkin Relay Race
Head outside for an action-packed party game that requires only edible provisions (popcorn) plus a scooped-out pumpkin. Stir-crazy kids can get their energy out running back and forth, carrying handfuls of popcorn from home base until they fill the gourd. This race can be enjoyed by as few as two young people, but bigger groups can team up for an even more exhilarating relay-style race.
17. Halloween Egg Hunt
Yep, that’s right—egg hunts aren’t just for springtime celebrations. A preliminary art project is necessary to make this party game a little more seasonally appropriate: Paint at least a dozen eggs and add some spooky touches to each before tucking them away in secret hiding spots throughout your home, The end result? A creepy egg hunt that’s guaranteed to please young party goers.
18. Halloween I Spy
Some kids are natural party animals, while others may need some time to warm up before diving into the more energetic activities. Do a shy kid (and their parents) a favor by printing out a stack of these ‘I Spy’ cards at your Halloween party. The introverts in the bunch will appreciate this quiet, yet entertaining activity, which can also function as an icebreaker when it attracts the attention of peers and turns into a group effort.
19. Halloween Scavenger Hunt
Scavenger hunts are the bee’s knees, but the task can feel like a logistical nightmare at the end of a long day of party planning. Fortunately, you can spare yourself the hassle with this printable indoor scavenger hunt: The readymade clues are replete with Halloween themes and the mission is certain to engage kids of all ages (without having to worry about them straying too far).
20. Pumpkin Patch Stomp
Popping balloons is to children what popping champagne is to adults. This game consists of an inflated ‘pumpkin patch’ of candy-filled balloons and an open invitation to jump, stomp and body slam—whatever it takes to free the sweets. Pumpkin patch stomping boasts serious kid appeal and it’s also a great way to keep rambunctious kids from doing more serious damage indoors.
21. Ghost Toss
When kids are on the guest list, balloons may very well be the secret ingredient to a successful Halloween bash. Case in point, this exceedingly simple game that consists of keeping balloons up in the air for as long as possible. This winner will provide ample, active entertainment for tots and teens alike—and all you need to pull it off is a handful of white balloons and a Sharpie.
22. Feed the Monster Game
Summon your inner crafter and fashion this cardboard box monster to spook the kids...and keep them occupied, of course. Young guests will really get a kick out of pitching eyeballs into the mouth of the hungry beast. Try this one out as a come-and-go activity or an organized competition with a candy prize.
23. Halloween Cornhole Toss
If you’re a parent who plans on hosting a Halloween party, check out this creepy-crawly cornhole toss. The DIY project provides an ideal opportunity for parent-child bonding, since the straightforward craft comes together with kid-friendly materials. As for the finished product: This one does double-duty as a holiday decoration and a cornhole toss game that kids will be eager to try their hand at.
24. Toilet Paper Mummy Race
Halloween: The special occasion when you take a break from telling the children in your life to stop wasting toilet paper and instead tell them to wrap themselves up in an entire roll of the stuff. Break the kids into teams and see which one can mummify their teammate first in this action-packed contest, Plus, this activity is much more savory than say, toilet papering the house of a peer.
25. Spider’s Lair Obstacle Course Game
Beware the Spider’s Lair: One wrong move and an eight-legged insect might just tumble down and take you as its prey. This toilet paper obstacle course will inspire some seriously smooth moves. (Think Catherine Zeta-Jones’ laser-dodging gymnastics in Entrapment.) OK, maybe not—but even the clumsiest kid will have a blast and get a workout whilst attempting to navigate this web without doing damage to its delicate structure.
26. Halloween Scattergories
Scattergories is a family game night staple so its appearance as a Halloween party game makes a lot of sense. This printable version of the classic includes plenty of spooky, holiday prompts, all of which are family-friendly—just make a timer and some pencils available and you’re good to go.
27. Halloween Don’t Eat Pete Game
At first glance, this printable game looks like Bingo, but the rules of play provide a lot in terms of intrigue. The premise of ‘Don’t Eat Pete’ is that one player goes in blind and starts pecking candies off the board, hoping to amass (or immediately eat) as many as possible before accidentally going for the square that was determined by the group to be...Pete! Funny and clever, this candy game dangles the proverbial carrot—prompting kids to read the poker faces in order to satisfy a sweet tooth.
28. Mixed Up Monster Art Game
Action-packed and competitive party games can easily go awry, especially when the young guests have stayed out past their bedtime and consumed a pound of candy. Fortunately, you can get the kid-crowd to wind down (while the grown-ups do the same) with a collaborative craft that guarantees a monster so ghastly, it’s guaranteed to inspire pride in every budding artist.
29. Ghostly Bowling Game
Bowling is undeniably wholesome and horribly entertaining—and when you slap some spooky ghost faces on white drinking cups and a tangerine you can also call it extra Halloween-y. The lightweight cups (i.e., pins) make for a game that’s easy enough for toddlers to manage without frustration, and the citrus stand-in for a bowling ball ensures no damage will be done during an indoor match. In other words, you’re winning before the game even begins.
30. Spooky Halloween Gelatin Hands
Part craft, part sensory play, this Halloween activity is sure to be a smash hit with the preschool crowd and below. Because, come on—who doesn’t love sinking their hands into wobbly, green gelatin?
31. Black Light Halloween Candy Hunt
This candy hunt is a breeze thanks to a clever hack that involves (temporarily) turning the flashlight on your phone into a black light, and the festive ghosts can be made with nothing more than a Sharpie and white printer paper. Best of all, this game is just as fun without the candy—you know, in case you want your kid to hold off until it’s time to trick or treat.
32. DIY Mini Halloween Pinatas
Toilet paper tubes can be transformed into a tiny mummy piñata with little more than crepe paper and googly eyes. (Who knew?) The process is incredibly easy, too, so feel free to make more than one. You can string these guys up for a Halloween party activity, or simply send each guest home with one as a festive replacement for a goody bag—either way the reward will be sweet.
33. Halloween Matching Game
These monster-themed cards provide more than one way to play—namely because there’s a picture-only option and a word set. Print ‘em out and your kid can use them for a sight word matching game, a busy bag activity or a good ol’ game of memory. (Bonus points if you laminate them for longevity.)
34. Halloween Dead Man’s Body Game
A sensory activity with a spooky twist, this Halloween game will make kids squeal with horror and excitement as they pass around (and sink their hands into) bowls of ‘body parts.’ Best of all, a quick raid of your kitchen is all that’s required to procure most, if not all, of the materials.
35. Magnetic Spider and Fly Chase
Grab some craft sticks, magnets and a Sharpie and then score the free printable for this simple paper plate project. The finished product—a toy that little kids can play with in pairs—is like a game of cat and mouse, only creepier.
36. Halloween Washi Tape Tic Tac Toe
Forget about Xs and Os. Here, sticky-backed orange and black rhinestones are the playing pieces for a travel-sized tic-tac-toe board made of sparkly cardstock and washi tape. The end result? A super simple craft and a festive twist on a classic game that promises to keep your kid entertained at a restaurant, in the car, and pretty much anywhere else you can think of.
37. Halloween Dominoes
OK, this two-dimensional spin on standard dominoes might not have the same sensory appeal as those oh-so satisfying wooden blocks. Still, the game is every bit as fun as you remember and the Halloween-themed characters on this printable set are darn cute to boot.
38. Candy Corn Hop Minute to Win it Game
Banish buyer’s remorse and put that giant bag of candy corn you put in your shopping cart to good use with this fast-paced competition, which consists of transferring as many pieces of candy corn as you can onto a paper plate in 60 seconds. The catch? You’ve gotta do it with a straw.
39. Skeleton Scavenger Hunt
Get ye to the dollar store stat for a plastic skeleton—the only prop you need to pull off this easy and entertaining scavenger hunt. Bonus: Once all the bones have been found, your kid will have just as much fun putting the skeleton back together again. It’s a treasure hunt and puzzle one-two punch.
40. Halloween Glow in the Dark Board Game
Attention DIYers: This glow in the dark board game is as much fun to make as it is to play. A game board kit will give you a leg up (unless you’re feeling ambitious) and when your project is ready for action, you won’t even mind letting your kid take you down. After all, you made your own board game, so you’re already winning.
RELATED: The Top 6 Halloween Trends for Kids in 2021
PureWow may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from PureWow's editorial and sales departments.
