10 Traditional Halloween Games for Kids

There’s something so nostalgic about the sound of laughter echoing through the house, little feet thumping down the hallway in spooky costumes, and the occasional scream (half terror, half delight!) as kids get stuck into an old-school Halloween game.

When I was little, Halloween was all about home decorations, pillowcases and buckets full of sweets, and really simple but brilliant party games. The good news? My children and their friends still absolutely love traditional Halloween games, and fortunately they still have the power to completely captivate a room full of kids. In fact, many of them are even more fun now because they feel like something a bit different and not ‘techy’ to lots of kids!

Whether you’re planning a full-blown Halloween event or just need some easy entertainment ideas for a little party at home, here are 10 Halloween party games for kids that bring the giggles, the screams, and the joy, with minimal prep and fuss!

Quick Guide to All 10 Halloween Games

Short on time? Here is a quick look at all the games, what you need, and which ages they suit best.

Game	What You Need	Best Ages	Mess Level
Apple Bobbing	Bucket, water, apples	5+	High
Mummy Wrap	Toilet rolls	4+	Low
Witch Hat Ring Toss	Witch hat, paper plates	3+	None
Spooky Mystery Box	Boxes, spaghetti, grapes, jelly	5+	Medium
Ghost Bowling	White cups, small ball	3+	None
Pin the Wart on the Witch	Poster, paper warts, blindfold	4+	None
Skeleton Scavenger Hunt	Plastic skeleton pieces	6+	None
Pumpkin Golf	Carved pumpkin, ball, stick	4+	Low
Monster Freeze Dance	Music and speakers	3+	None
Eyeball Spoon Race	Spoons, ping pong balls	5+	None

 

1. Apple Bobbing Game

You can’t talk about traditional Halloween games without starting with the apple bobbing game. It’s iconic, it’s hilarious, and it’s completely chaotic. All you need is a big bucket of water and some apples. Kids take turns trying to grab an apple using only their mouths – but hands must be behind their backs!

Yes, it gets messy. Yes, someone will probably dunk their entire face in. But that’s half the fun. Perhaps take this one outside if it’s not too cold!

Top tip: For younger kids or if you’re trying to avoid water everywhere, try “dangling apple bobbing”—hang apples from a string and let the kids try to bite them, hands-free. Less mess, same belly laughs. You could also do the ‘doughnuts’ on a string game for an alternative if your guests aren’t keen on apples.

2. The Mummy Wrap

This is one of the easiest and most-loved games for a Halloween party. You just need a few rolls of toilet paper (the cheaper the better as this isn’t the time for luxury quilted, haha!). Divide kids into teams or pairs and get them to wrap one person up like a mummy. The first team to completely cover their mummy (head to toe, but leave space for breathing!) wins.

It’s silly, energetic and always gets lots of giggles, especially when the mummies start wobbling around trying not to unravel.

3. Witch Hat Ring Toss

This one feels like a carnival game, but it’s super simple to DIY. You can buy a witch hat, or make one from cardboard and black paper. Place it on the floor or table and let kids toss rings (paper plates with the middle cut out work well) to try and land them on the point.

To make it more themed, decorate the rings in Halloween colours, such as black, orange, purple, maybe even a splash of slime green.

This game is especially great for younger children who want to join in but aren’t into the scarier stuff. My youngest is actually a bit scared of Halloween, so this kind of game has been perfect for him.

4. Guess the Gross Stuff (Spooky Mystery Box)

This one is a total classic—and still one of the most requested Halloween party activities.

Take a few boxes or bowls and fill them with mystery items. Cooked spaghetti becomes “brains”, peeled grapes are “eyeballs”, jelly can be “guts”… you get the idea. Blindfold the kids (or just cover the containers) and let them feel inside and guess what it really is.

It’s delightfully gross, guaranteed to get squeals and shudders, and makes for amazing photo moments. I actually have a pumpkin guts sensory activity here that you could adapt for this game.

5. Halloween Ghost Bowling

This is a perfect mix of cute and spooky, and a fantastic way to reuse plastic cups. Grab ten white cups and draw little ghost faces on them. Stack them up like bowling pins and use a small ball (a mini pumpkin or satsuma works too!) to knock them over.

It’s one of those fun Halloween games that’s easy to set up and endlessly entertaining. You can even dim the lights and use glow sticks around the setup for added atmosphere.

Already planning this one? You can check out my full post on Halloween Ghost Bowling here.

6. Pin the Wart on the Witch

Just like “Pin the Tail on the Donkey”, but with a spooky spin. Draw (or print) a big picture of a witch’s face on a poster board, then cut out little paper “warts”. Blindfold the kids, spin them around, and see who can stick the wart closest to the witch’s nose.

This is an easy, low-key game that still feels festive and works well between the more energetic activities.

7. Skeleton Scavenger Hunt

This one takes a little prep but it’s worth it. Hide plastic skeleton parts (you can get cheap sets online or at party shops) around your house or garden. Give kids clues or just let them loose to find the pieces. Once they’ve gathered them all, they work as a team to assemble the skeleton.

It combines the thrill of a treasure hunt with a little puzzle-solving, making it a hit for slightly older kids too. A great option if you’re looking for Halloween party games for kids that keep them busy for more than 30 seconds!

8. Pumpkin Golf

If you’ve got a small plastic golf set (or even just a mini broomstick and a soft ball), this one’s great fun. Carve a big pumpkin with a wide mouth, place it at the end of a “green” (aka hallway, driveway or garden path), and let the kids try to get their ball into the pumpkin’s mouth.

You can even create “hazards” using spooky props, paper bats or soft toys. This game is a winner for a mix of ages and one of those fun Halloween games that grown-ups enjoy just as much.

9. Monster Freeze Dance

Sometimes, simple really is best. Put on a Halloween playlist, and include songs such as “Thriller,” “Ghostbusters,” “Monster Mash” and let the kids dance their little hearts out. When the music stops, they have to freeze like a monster. Anyone caught moving is out (or just gets a dramatic “Boo!”). Like musical statues really.

It’s energetic, easy to set up, and works well when the sugar kicks in and the kids need to burn off some energy. It’s also a great way to break up a party with a burst of movement.

10. Eyeball Spoon Race

Like the old-fashioned egg-and-spoon race, but Halloween-style. Swap out the egg for a ping pong ball with a scary eyeball drawn on it (or buy ready-made Halloween eyeballs). Mark out a little racetrack in your garden or hallway and have kids race to the finish line with no hands, just careful balance!

It’s one of those games for a Halloween party that’s wonderfully silly, competitive in the best way, and easy to adapt for different ages.

Tips for Running Traditional Halloween Games:

If you’re planning to include some of these traditional Halloween games at your party, here are a few quick tips to keep things running smoothly:

• Keep it flexible – Not every child will want to take part in every activity. That’s totally fine.

• Have prizes on hand – Think stickers, Halloween pencils, glow sticks. Small rewards keep things fun.

• Timing is everything – Mix high-energy games (like Monster Freeze Dance) with calmer ones (like Pin the Wart) to avoid sugar-fuelled chaos.

• Let kids be silly – These games are all about imagination, movement, and laughter. The messier and sillier, the better.

Why These Games Still Work

What makes traditional Halloween games so timeless is that they’re rooted in imagination and interaction. They don’t rely on fancy tech or expensive kits, just some creativity, a sprinkle of suspense, and a room full of excited kids.

Whether you’re planning a school disco, hosting a few kids at home, or organising a street party, these Halloween party activities bring people together in a way that’s hard to beat. 

And honestly? They’re just fun. Which, when it comes to kids’ parties (and life in general), is kind of the whole point.

Time to Get Planning

These traditional Halloween games have stood the test of time for good reason. They are simple, cheap to set up, and genuinely fun for kids of all ages. You do not need expensive party entertainers or elaborate decorations to create an amazing Halloween. A bucket of water, some toilet rolls and a bit of imagination will do the job.

We have played most of these games at our own Halloween parties over the years, and they never fail to get the whole room laughing. Whether you are hosting a handful of kids at home or organising something bigger, these activities bring that brilliant mix of giggles, shrieks and chaos that makes Halloween so special.

So grab the apples, stock up on cheap loo roll, and get ready for some proper old school Halloween fun. Your kids will love it, and honestly, you probably will too. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Halloween games for younger children?

For little ones aged 3 to 5, stick with games that are gentle and not too spooky. Ghost Bowling, Witch Hat Ring Toss and Monster Freeze Dance all work brilliantly because they are simple to understand and there is no elimination pressure. The Mummy Wrap is also great fun if you pair younger kids with an older child or adult.

How many games should I plan for a Halloween party?

For a two hour party, plan around 4 to 6 games. You will not get through them all and that is fine. Kids often want to repeat their favourites, and you need time for food and free play too. Have a couple of backup games ready but do not feel you need to rush through everything.

What can I use instead of apples for apple bobbing?

If you want to skip the water mess, try hanging doughnuts or apples from string and letting kids bite them hands free. You could also float plastic pumpkins or Halloween toys in the water instead of apples. Another option is to hide sweets in a tray of flour and have kids find them with their mouths, though this is messy in a different way.

Are these games suitable for a school Halloween disco?

Yes, most of these work well for school events. Ghost Bowling, Monster Freeze Dance, Witch Hat Ring Toss and Pin the Wart on the Witch are all easy to run with larger groups. Avoid the messier games like Apple Bobbing and Spooky Mystery Box in school halls unless you have a dedicated cleanup crew ready.

How can I make Halloween games less scary for nervous kids?

Focus on the silly rather than the spooky. Games like Mummy Wrap, Eyeball Spoon Race and Pumpkin Golf are fun without being frightening. Keep lighting bright, skip the jump scares, and let nervous children watch a round before joining in. My youngest finds Halloween a bit much sometimes, and these gentler games have been perfect for him.

 

 

See more of my kids activity posts here!