The best Halloween parties have one thing in common: something to do. Costumes and snacks get people through the door, but games are what make a party feel like an event.
This list of Halloween party games is sorted by age group, so you can pick the right activities for your guests. Each game includes how many people can play, how long it takes to prepare and what you’ll need.
Before you start: three quick planning tips
- Mix active and calm games. Follow a running game with a seated one, especially with young children.
- Prepare prizes that aren’t food. Stickers, glow sticks and small toys work for everyone, including guests with food allergies.
- Have one “quiet corner” activity. Some guests, especially younger children, need a break from the noise.
Games for younger kids (ages 4–8)
1. Mummy wrap race
Players: teams of two or three. Prep: none. You’ll need: rolls of toilet paper.
One player is the “mummy”. The others race to wrap them from shoulders to ankles. The first fully wrapped mummy wins. Leave the face uncovered.
2. Pumpkin ring toss
Players: any number, taking turns. Prep: 10 minutes. You’ll need: small pumpkins and plastic or cardboard rings.
Set the pumpkins out at different distances and give points for each ring that lands around a stem. Move the starting line closer for the youngest players.
3. Monster freeze dance
Players: any number. Prep: make a playlist. You’ll need: music.
Everyone dances like a monster while the music plays. When it stops, they freeze in their scariest pose. Anyone who moves sits out for one round, or does a silly monster noise instead.
4. Spider egg hunt
Players: any number. Prep: 15 minutes. You’ll need: plastic eggs or small balls, black marker.
Draw spider legs on plastic eggs and hide them around a room or garden. Put a small non-food prize in a few of them.
5. Pin the nose on the pumpkin
Players: any number, taking turns. Prep: 15 minutes. You’ll need: a large paper pumpkin, paper noses, tape, a blindfold.
It’s the classic party game with a Halloween twist. Use a soft scarf as a blindfold, and stay close to younger children as they walk.
Games for older kids and teens (ages 9–15)
6. Halloween scavenger hunt
Players: teams of two to four. Prep: 30 minutes. You’ll need: a list of items or clues.
Give each team a list of Halloween-themed things to find or photograph, such as “a black cat”, “a spider web” or “something orange”. For indoor parties, hide the items yourself.
7. Witch’s brew guessing game
Players: any number. Prep: 20 minutes. You’ll need: covered boxes or bowls and safe “gross” items.
Fill covered bowls with “eyeballs” (peeled grapes), “worms” (cold cooked spaghetti) and “brains” (wet sponge). Players reach in without looking and guess what they are touching. Check for food allergies before using food items.
8. Pumpkin bowling
Players: any number. Prep: 10 minutes. You’ll need: small round pumpkins and plastic bottles or toilet rolls as pins.
Roll a small pumpkin like a bowling ball to knock down the pins. It works best outside, on a flat surface.
9. Halloween charades
Players: two teams. Prep: 10 minutes. You’ll need: slips of paper with Halloween words.
Write words such as “vampire”, “carving a pumpkin” or “haunted house” on slips of paper. Players act them out without speaking.
10. Apple bobbing
Players: any number, taking turns. Prep: 10 minutes. You’ll need: a large tub of water and apples.
Players try to grab a floating apple using only their teeth. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends rinsing apples under cool running water and using a produce brush to clean them first. For a more hygienic version, hang apples on strings instead.
Games for adults
11. Murder-mystery night
Players: six to twelve. Prep: 1–2 hours, or buy a printable kit. You’ll need: character cards and clues.
Each guest plays a character, and one of them is secretly the culprit. Over the evening, players reveal clues and try to guess who did it. It works best when guests receive their characters a few days before the party.
12. Halloween trivia
Players: teams of three to five. Prep: 30–60 minutes. You’ll need: a list of questions.
Mix questions about Halloween history, horror films, candy and famous costumes. For example: “Before pumpkins, what vegetable did people in Ireland carve into lanterns?” (Answer: turnips.) Our guide to why we celebrate Halloween has plenty of question ideas.
13. Costume contest
Players: everyone. Prep: 10 minutes. You’ll need: small prizes and paper ballots.
Create categories such as “scariest”, “funniest”, “most creative” and “best last-minute costume”, so more guests have a chance to win.
14. Two truths and a ghost story
Players: any number. Prep: none. You’ll need: nothing.
A spooky version of “two truths and a lie”. Each guest shares three short “spooky experiences”, and the group guesses which one is made up.
15. Pumpkin-carving contest
Players: pairs or teams. Prep: 15 minutes. You’ll need: pumpkins, carving tools, newspaper, battery-operated lights.
Give each team a pumpkin and a time limit, then vote on the winner. Keep sharp tools away from children, and use battery lights instead of candles to show off the results.
Games at a glance
| Game | Best age | Players | Prep time | Energy level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mummy wrap race | 4–8 | Teams of 2–3 | None | High |
| Pumpkin ring toss | 4–8 | Any | 10 min | Low |
| Monster freeze dance | 4–8 | Any | Playlist | High |
| Spider egg hunt | 4–8 | Any | 15 min | Medium |
| Pin the nose on the pumpkin | 4–8 | Any | 15 min | Low |
| Scavenger hunt | 9–15 | Teams of 2–4 | 30 min | High |
| Witch’s brew | 9–15 | Any | 20 min | Low |
| Pumpkin bowling | 9–15 | Any | 10 min | Medium |
| Halloween charades | 9–15 and adults | Two teams | 10 min | Medium |
| Apple bobbing | 9–15 | Any | 10 min | Medium |
| Murder-mystery night | Adults | 6–12 | 1–2 hours | Low |
| Halloween trivia | Teens and adults | Teams of 3–5 | 30–60 min | Low |
| Costume contest | All ages | Everyone | 10 min | Low |
| Two truths and a ghost story | Teens and adults | Any | None | Low |
| Pumpkin-carving contest | Adults | Pairs or teams | 15 min | Medium |
Keep the party safe
- Check allergies before any game that uses food, and offer non-food prizes.
- Watch for choking hazards with small prizes and candy around toddlers.
- Use battery-operated lights for decorations and pumpkins, and keep paths and exits clear.
- Supervise water games such as apple bobbing closely with young children.
FAQ
What are good Halloween party games for a small group?
Halloween trivia, charades and “two truths and a ghost story” all work well with four to six people.
How many games should I plan for a kids’ party?
For a two-hour party, plan four or five games, plus one quiet activity such as coloring or decorating cookies.
The bottom line
The right Halloween party games depend on who’s coming. Choose a mix of active and calm games for your guests’ ages, prepare simple prizes, and keep safety in mind. Then let the fun take over.
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