12 Fun Halloween Activities for Preschoolers

Halloween with preschoolers is a whole different kind of fun. You’re not just planning for costumes and candy—you’re trying to keep little ones entertained, safe, and excited without tipping them into sugar-fueled chaos (we’ve all been there). The good news? With the right mix of crafts, games, and themed fun, you can create a Halloween experience they’ll actually remember—and you’ll survive too.

Below, I’ll share 12 Halloween activities for preschool that are easy to set up, big on fun, and perfect for their curious little minds.

1. Pumpkin Painting Instead of Carving

SAVE

Carving a pumpkin with a preschooler is basically an open invitation for finger cuts and tears. Painting, on the other hand? Total win.

• Grab mini pumpkins from the store.
• Hand out washable paints, stickers, and googly eyes.
• Let the kids go wild with their designs.

It’s creative, safe, and bonus—you don’t have to scrape pumpkin guts off your floor. For more ideas on adding seasonal charm indoors, check out these Halloween fireplace decor ideas that bring the same cozy vibe without the mess.

Pro tip: I once let my niece mix glitter glue with paint. The pumpkin looked like it came from a fairy’s Halloween party. Zero regrets.

2. Halloween Scavenger Hunt

SAVE

Preschoolers love running around like tiny detectives. Create a Halloween scavenger hunt with simple clues or picture cards.

• Hide small items like plastic spiders, mini pumpkins, or Halloween stickers.
• Give each child a basket or bag.
• Reward everyone with a small prize at the end.

Want to up the excitement? Play spooky music in the background. For outdoor setups, these spooky Halloween porch ideas will set the perfect scene.

3. Monster Freeze Dance

SAVE

Play some upbeat Halloween songs (think “Monster Mash” or “Spooky Scary Skeletons”), and let the kids dance their little socks off. When the music stops—they freeze!

This game is pure gold for burning off energy. Plus, preschoolers love making funny “monster poses” when they freeze. It pairs perfectly with a festive Halloween party setup for kids.

4. Ghost Bowling

SAVE

Set up empty plastic bottles or toilet paper rolls as bowling pins. Draw ghost faces on them with a marker. Then, give the kids a soft ball (a pumpkin-orange one if you’ve got it) and let them “bowl the ghosts away.”

It’s easy, it’s safe, and it works indoors if the weather isn’t on your side. If you’re decorating your play space, try adding touches from these Halloween living room ideas for extra spooky charm.

5. Halloween Sensory Bins

SAVE

Want to keep preschoolers busy for 20 whole minutes? (Yes, that’s a victory.) Build a sensory bin:

• Fill a tub with dried beans, rice, or pasta.
• Add plastic spiders, skeletons, and mini cauldrons.
• Toss in scoops and cups for digging.

Kids love the textures, and you’ll love how focused they get. To give your space extra flair, you can even theme the bin after farmhouse Halloween decor ideas for a rustic look.

6. Storytime with a Twist

SAVE

Pick a Halloween picture book—like Room on the Broom or Big Pumpkin—and make it interactive.

• Ask kids to act out the characters.
• Add sound effects with bells, shakers, or silly voices.
• Stop mid-story to ask, “What do you think happens next?”

To make storytime even more magical, set up a cozy corner inspired by these Halloween bedroom ideas.

7. Spider Web Walking Game

SAVE

Use painter’s tape to create a spider web pattern on the floor. Challenge kids to walk only on the “web” lines without stepping off.

It’s simple, but preschoolers take it so seriously you’d think the floor really turned into lava. Add extra spookiness with creative Halloween garland ideas strung around the play area.

8. Costume Parade

SAVE

Every kid loves showing off their Halloween costume, so turn it into an event.

• Set up a mini “catwalk.”
• Play fun music.
• Let each child take a turn strutting in their costume.

Hand out silly awards like “Sparkliest Witch” or “Silliest Pumpkin.” No losers here—just adorable chaos. If you’re still picking outfits, check out these Halloween costume ideas for women—they may inspire the grown-ups too!

9. Witch Hat Ring Toss

SAVE

All you need is a cone-shaped witch hat (or a homemade one from construction paper) and some rings. You can make the rings from glow sticks or cut-out cardboard.

Kids toss the rings onto the hat, and every successful toss feels like winning the jackpot. Pair it with festive Halloween tablescapes for a complete party setup.

10. Creepy Crawly Crafts

SAVE

Kids + glue + paper = happy preschool chaos. Try easy crafts like:

• Paper plate spiders (googly eyes + pipe cleaners).
• Handprint bats (cut out black paper traced from their hands).
• Cotton ball ghosts (fluffy and adorable).

Craft time doubles as “calm down” time if the sugar rush is peaking. 🙂 These crafts can double as decorations for a Halloween bathroom setup too.

11. Trick-or-Treat Role Play

SAVE

Set up a mini trick-or-treat station indoors.

• Use different doors in your home or classroom.
• Hide behind each “door” with a bowl of goodies (stickers, fruit snacks, etc.).
• Teach kids to say “trick or treat” and “thank you.”

Not only is it fun, but it also helps kids practice polite greetings before the real deal. For extra flair, set the scene with dollar tree Halloween decor ideas that are budget-friendly and fun.

12. Halloween Snack Decorating

SAVE

Skip the candy overload and try a preschool-friendly snack activity.

• Let kids decorate plain cookies with orange frosting and candy eyes.
• Give them bananas to turn into “ghost pops” with chocolate chip eyes.
• Or, make jack-o’-lantern faces on tangerines with edible markers.

It’s messy, but hey—it’s Halloween. Mess is practically part of the costume. For more themed food inspiration, don’t miss these Halloween jello shots (okay, maybe those are for the adults later.

Wrapping It Up

Halloween doesn’t have to be about jump scares or sugar crashes. With these 12 Halloween activities for preschool, you get a mix of creativity, play, and learning—all wrapped up in spooky fun. From painting pumpkins to dancing like little monsters, these ideas keep kids happy and busy while giving you memories worth keeping.

So, what’s the plan? Are you painting pumpkins this year, or setting up a ghost bowling alley in your living room? Either way, you’ll be the cool adult every kid remembers.