13 Bewitching Halloween Activities for Kids and Adults

Halloween is all about fun traditions and family time. If you’re looking for new party activities to try with the whole family, you’ve come to the right place. 

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It’s true that spooky get-togethers often center around food, music, and just hanging out. 

That’s already fun, but adding a few simple games or activities can make things feel extra special, especially for the kids.

These ideas are easy, affordable, and perfect for creating memories together.  🙌

1. Pumpkin Decorating Party

Set a few guidelines! If it’s a family-only gathering, three to five pumpkins are already plenty. You don’t need dozens. 

Just keep a few extra on hand in case one breaks or if the adults want to join in. If there are lots of younger kids, stick with decorating rather than carving and use paints, markers, stickers, and googly eyes. 

If you’re hosting teens, you can carve one or two pumpkins together with adult help to make things more exciting. 

As for the setup, cover the table with a disposable tablecloth, set out the supplies, and make sure each one has their own materials so no one has to wait their turn.

2. DIY Costume Creation

No need to spend much on store-bought outfits. Just gather old clothes, hats, scarves, and accessories from around the house. You can add in a few simple craft supplies too—try felt, fabric glue, cardboard, and face paint!

Encourage everyone to mix and match pieces. Need ideas? Turn a black T-shirt into a spooky bat! 

Also, create a costume station so everything is easy to find. You can even turn the big reveal into a mini fashion show where each one walks the “runway” and shows off their creation to the family. 

3. Halloween Scavenger Hunt

You can host a Halloween scavenger hunt whether you’re staying indoors or heading outside. 

It’s basically a spooky twist on the classic scavenger hunt. Make it as simple or as challenging as you like. 

Make a list of spooky items to find, like plastic spiders, candy corn, or other Halloween trinkets. 

Wondering how to make it more exciting for older kids and adults? Add little riddles or clues instead of just listing the objects. 

To keep things fair, divide into small teams so younger kids can pair up with older ones or grown-ups.

4. Halloween Bingo 

Halloween Bingo is super easy to set up! The highlight, of course, are the themed cards and prizes.

Instead of numbers, fill the squares with spooky images. Think bats, pumpkins, witches, ghosts, black cats, candy corn, and spider webs. 

If you enjoy crafting, you can draw the images yourself or print clipart from free online resources, then paste them onto a grid.

You can also search for free printable Halloween bingo cards online. There are tons you can download and print at home. 

As for the prizes, the trick is to have a mix so kids are thrilled and grown-ups don’t feel like they’re just playing for candy. 

You could even set up a prize basket with different options so winners of all ages can pick what excites them the most.

5. Spooky Baking Project

You don’t need a big kitchen or a long list of fancy ingredients for this activity. Stick to no-bake or low-mess recipes that don’t take up much space. 

For example, try decorating sugar cookies with sprinkles, dipping pretzels in chocolate to make “witches’ fingers,” or topping cupcakes with candy eyes. 

Even a small counter or dining table can work if you set everything out in bowls ahead of time. 

Remember that most spooky treats use basics you probably already have. The “spooky” part comes from how you decorate or present them. A simple chocolate cupcake becomes Halloween-themed with orange frosting and a candy pumpkin on top. 🧁

6. Movie Marathon Night

Movie nights can be a little tricky because kids and grown-ups don’t always enjoy the same movies. But with the right setup, you can still make it fun for everyone. 

Why not plan a double feature? Start the evening with Hotel Transylvania, Casper, or other family-friendly Halloween films. 

Once the little ones are asleep (or happily distracted with snacks), you can switch to a classic spooky film that adults will enjoy, like Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, or even something a little scarier if your group is up for it.

Just gather everyone in the living room, pile on the blankets and pillows, and keep the snacks close by. 

7. Glow-in-the-Dark Dance Party

All you really need are glow sticks, glow bracelets, or even LED balloons to set the mood.

There’s no need for a big space. Just clear a spot in the living room or backyard, turn off the lights, and play a mix of kid-friendly Halloween songs alongside a few classics adults will recognize. 

Keep things simple with silly dance-offs or freeze dance, where everyone stops when the music pauses, or you can go for a full-on dance challenge under the glow lights.

8. Halloween Storytelling

Storytelling is usually seen as a kid thing, but you can make it engaging for adults, too. 

For kids, keep it light with silly or slightly spooky tales, Halloween picture books, or even stories you make up on the spot with fun sound effects. 

For grown-ups, dial it up a notch by exchanging campfire-style ghost stories or urban legends.

Don’t forget the setup. Dim the lights, light candles, or use flashlights under your chin for that spooky atmosphere. And of course, pair the fun with the most delicious homemade snacks.

9. Backyard (or Living Room) “Haunted House”

Excited to create a mini version of a haunted attraction right at home? Transform a small space with simple props and decorations you already have. 

In the backyard, hang sheets or garbage bags to create makeshift walls, and add string lights, cobwebs, and paper bats for that spooky vibe.

Inside the house, you can do the same by darkening a hallway or a corner of the living room. 

You can also add “stations” along the way, like a bowl of mystery items to touch (spaghetti “worms,” peeled grapes “eyeballs”) or a glow-in-the-dark balloon pit to cross.

10. Mummy Wrap Game

This game is one of the easiest Halloween activities to set up, and it always gets everyone laughing. 

All you need is a few rolls of toilet paper or white crepe paper, and you’re good to go! Split your guests into pairs or small teams, with one person acting as the “mummy” while the others do the wrapping. 

The challenge is to cover the mummy from head to toe as quickly (and neatly) as possible without tearing the paper. 

You can make it more fun by setting a timer and turning it into a race between teams. Make sure to snap some photos before the paper starts falling apart.

11. Trick-or-Treat Bag Decorating

Time to get creative! Grab some plain canvas tote bags, paper bags, or even pillowcases, along with fabric markers, stencils, stickers, and other craft supplies. 

Set up a “decorating station” with all the supplies laid out on a table, and play Halloween music in the background while everyone designs their own bag. 

All done? Do a little “bag show-and-tell” where each guest shows off their design before using it for trick-or-treating or as a candy bag for the party. Go ahead and encourage everyone to be as creative or as silly as they want.

12. DIY Photo Booth

You don’t need a professional setup for this one, even a small corner of your living room or backyard works!

For the Halloween-themed backdrop, it could be as simple as a black sheet, orange streamers, or a wall decorated with cobwebs and paper bats. 

And of course, it’s important to prepare plenty of props! Prepare witch hats, wigs, masks, plastic cauldrons, or even silly signs that say “Trick or Treat” or “Boo!” and place them in a basket so guests can grab what they like. 

For the camera, use whatever you have on hand. A phone on a tripod works perfectly. 

If you want to make it hands-free, set a timer or use a remote clicker so families can take their own pictures. 

Good lighting is more important than a fancy camera, so add a lamp or string lights if the area feels too dark.

13. Candy Science Experiments

Experiments sound fancy, but they’re really just safe, hands-on activities using candy and simple kitchen supplies. Definitely not dangerous! 

Here’s how you can do it: set up a table with bowls of different liquids (water, vinegar, soda, or even warm milk!) and let everyone drop in pieces of candy to see what happens. For example, Skittles or M&Ms will dissolve and create rainbow-colored swirls, while sour candies will fizz in vinegar or soda.

Grown-ups can make a “cocktail experiment” using mixers and candy garnishes!

They’ll undoubtedly love playing around with candy-infused vodka, rimmed glasses with crushed candy, and Skittles martinis.

These activities will soon be part of your family traditions. Now, you’re probably thinking that exploring them with a very big group can feel overwhelming. 

Choose just two or three activities instead of trying to do them all in one night!

Also, set up stations and spread activities around different corners of the house so guests aren’t packed around the same table. 

If you’ve got lots of adults around, let them help and assign them tasks. That way, you’re not juggling everything yourself. 💪