16 Fun & Easy Halloween Activities for Kids 🎃 Spooky Ideas
Halloween isn’t just about candy (although let’s be real… candy is a pretty big deal). For kids, it’s that magical time when pumpkins glow, costumes transform them into superheroes or witches, and the night feels just a little bit spooky. But let’s be honest—keeping kids entertained on Halloween can feel like juggling pumpkins while blindfolded. Don’t worry, though. I’ve put together a list of 16 Halloween activities for kids that are fun, creative, and won’t make you lose your sanity in the process.
Ready to make this Halloween unforgettable? Let’s jump right in.
In this article, we'll cover
- 1. Pumpkin Decorating Party
- 2. DIY Halloween Scavenger Hunt
- 3. Spooky Storytelling Session
- 4. Costume Fashion Show
- 5. Halloween Cookie Decorating
- 6. Glow Stick Hide-and-Seek
- 7. Halloween Bingo
- 8. Haunted House Obstacle Course
- 9. Halloween Movie Marathon
- 10. Mummy Wrap Game
- 11. Candy Corn Bowling
- 12. Halloween Crafts Station
- 13. Trick-or-Treat Practice
- 14. Apple Bobbing (With a Twist)
- 15. Halloween Dance Party
- 16. DIY Haunted House Tour
- Wrapping It Up
1. Pumpkin Decorating Party
Not every kid loves the idea of carving pumpkins with sharp tools (and not every parent loves cleaning up that gooey mess). So why not host a pumpkin decorating party instead?
- Set out paints, markers, stickers, and even glow-in-the-dark tape.
- Provide mini pumpkins for little hands—it’s easier for them to handle.
- Play some spooky music to set the vibe.
Pro tip: Use craft supplies like googly eyes and pipe cleaners. Trust me, a pumpkin with mustaches and sunglasses looks hilarious. For more inspiration, check out these farmhouse Halloween decor ideas.
2. DIY Halloween Scavenger Hunt
Who doesn’t love a scavenger hunt? Hide Halloween-themed items around the house or yard and give the kids a checklist.
Ideas to hide:
- Plastic spiders
- Candy corn bags
- Glow sticks
- Mini pumpkins
You can even hide small decorations similar to these Dollar Tree Halloween decor ideas. Ever seen kids sprint around the house like candy-fueled detectives? Yeah, it’s that entertaining.
3. Spooky Storytelling Session
Turn off the lights, grab some flashlights, and tell kid-friendly spooky stories. Not the “scar-them-for-life” kind—more like silly ghost stories with funny twists.
Bonus idea: Let the kids create their own stories. Give them prompts like “a cat who only meows on Halloween” or “a ghost afraid of candy corn.” The results? Pure comedy gold. For an eerie backdrop, you could set the scene with these Halloween fireplace decor ideas.
4. Costume Fashion Show
Why wait for trick-or-treating to show off those costumes? Set up a living room “runway” and let the kids strut their stuff.
- Play upbeat music.
- Add silly commentary like a sports announcer.
- Give out awards (funniest costume, most creative, best use of glitter).
For even more costume inspiration, parents might love browsing through these Halloween costume ideas for women.
5. Halloween Cookie Decorating
Kids + sugar = chaos. But at least this chaos is delicious. Bake some plain sugar cookies shaped like pumpkins, ghosts, or bats, and set out icing and sprinkles.
Pro tip: Buy squeeze bottles for icing. It’s way less messy than spoons and bowls (learned that the hard way). And if cookies aren’t enough, consider making themed snacks from these Halloween food ideas for parties.
6. Glow Stick Hide-and-Seek
Regular hide-and-seek is fun. Glow stick hide-and-seek? Next-level awesome.
Give each kid a glow stick bracelet or necklace and turn off the lights. The glowing silhouettes running around the house will have you laughing harder than the kids.
7. Halloween Bingo
Kids love bingo, and it’s easy to set up. Print free Halloween bingo cards online and use candy corn as markers.
FYI: You’ll probably eat half the candy corn before the game ends. That’s just science. 🙂 For a fun atmosphere, decorate the table using these creative Halloween tablescapes.
8. Haunted House Obstacle Course
Transform your living room or backyard into a “haunted obstacle course.”
- Crawl under tables draped with sheets (spider caves).
- Jump over pumpkins.
- Tiptoe past “sleeping ghosts” (a.k.a. pillows).
Add some creepy flair with outdoor Halloween decorations. Kids love the challenge, and it burns off that sugar rush too. Win-win.
9. Halloween Movie Marathon
Pick age-appropriate Halloween movies like Hocus Pocus, Casper, or Hotel Transylvania.
Set up blankets, pillows, and popcorn bowls. Honestly, the kids might sit still long enough for you to enjoy some peace. Shocking, I know. And if you’re setting the mood indoors, these Halloween living room ideas can help.
10. Mummy Wrap Game
All you need: toilet paper.
Pair kids up and let one wrap the other like a mummy. Fastest team wins. Bonus points if the mummy can waddle across the room without unwrapping.
Fair warning: Your bathroom will look like it hosted a TP parade. Speaking of which, why not surprise them afterward with some themed Halloween bathroom ideas?
11. Candy Corn Bowling
This one’s simple but fun. Set up empty plastic bottles painted like candy corn and roll a mini pumpkin as the bowling ball.
The best part? You don’t even have to put the bottles back up—the kids will do it because they want another turn. Genius.
12. Halloween Crafts Station
Set up a table with paper, glue, scissors, and Halloween-themed templates. Kids can make bats, witches’ hats, or pumpkin lanterns.
Ever seen a kid proudly show off a paper bat with upside-down wings? Pure joy (and a little bit of chaos). Stock up on supplies with inspiration from these Halloween coffee bar ideas that show how versatile themed setups can be.
13. Trick-or-Treat Practice
Not every kid gets the hang of trick-or-treating right away, especially toddlers. Set up “practice houses” (aka rooms with bowls of candy).
They knock, say “trick-or-treat,” and get candy. It’s adorable—and it saves you from teaching them mid-neighborhood. Add some flair with Halloween goodie bag ideas for their practice haul.
14. Apple Bobbing (With a Twist)
Traditional apple bobbing can be messy. Instead, tie apples to strings and let the kids try to bite them while they dangle.
Trust me, watching a kid chase a swinging apple is comedy at its finest. :/
15. Halloween Dance Party
Turn up the Halloween playlist (Monster Mash, anyone?) and let the kids dance their sugar rush away.
Throw in a game of freeze dance—when the music stops, everyone freezes. Spoiler: the dramatic poses are everything. Make it extra festive with these fun Halloween party ideas for kids.
16. DIY Haunted House Tour
Got a basement, garage, or even just a hallway? Turn it into a DIY haunted house.
- Hang streamers or fake cobwebs.
- Play spooky sound effects.
- Use glow-in-the-dark paint for eerie effects.
Make sure to keep it kid-friendly—no jump scares that send them running for the hills. For design inspiration, you could check out these Halloween bedroom ideas that turn any space spooky but cozy.
Wrapping It Up
So there you have it—16 Halloween activities for kids that guarantee laughter, memories, and maybe a little sugar-induced chaos. From pumpkin decorating to glow stick hide-and-seek, each idea adds a sprinkle of spooky fun without being too overwhelming.
At the end of the day, Halloween isn’t just about candy (though let’s not pretend candy isn’t the MVP). It’s about creating moments your kids will remember long after the costumes get packed away.
So grab your pumpkins, stock up on glow sticks, and get ready for a Halloween full of giggles, crafts, and a few sticky fingers. And hey, don’t forget to sneak a candy bar for yourself—you’ve earned it. 😉
Discover more from Leafy Haven Home | Stylish Garden Ideas & Cozy Decor Tips
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