Family Halloween Activities: Backyard Fun

A family Halloween should be fun-filled and spirited, a reflection of the spooky season. While some local venues may be too scary for little ones, there is no reason why you and your family cannot share family Halloween activities at home. Backyard fun begins in the afternoon as the entire family works together to create a spooktacular backyard. Use one of two ideas to have a howling good time with these family Halloween activities.

Ghost Forest

Create a spooky ghost forest that kids will bring shivery smiles to kids. Pick a spot in your yard for your ghost forest. This should be under some trees or near some shrubbery. Use a helium tank to fill ten to twelve white balloons with helium. Tie them off when they are full and attach clear fishing line to the end. The balloons should be full because half-filled balloons will shrink and deflate. Cut 3-foot squares from white muslin or cotton. An old white sheet would work fine. Draw black eyes on the sheet squares using a black permanent marker. Arrange the balloons in and under the trees and place the squares on top of them. Tie them to branches and to rocks. Blow up ten more balloons using your own air. Tie the balloons off and use clear fishing line to tie to the ends. Cut more sheet squares and draw on eyes. Arrange these balloons amongst the helium filled balloons. Hold a Halloween feast under the ghost forest. These Halloween activity is also good for party backyard.

Cardboard Haunted House

For this family Halloween activity, you need to work ahead of time to make your haunted houses. Collect large cardboard boxes, like refrigerator boxes to make the houses from. Cut the bottoms of the box away. Use a black permanent marker to draw on windows and doors. Cut out a few of the windows using a box cutter. Have your children paint or color the boxes some spooky colors. Arrange the boxes in the yard as it they were a haunted village. Place them in your ghost forest for fun. Place small candles in glass or ceramic dishes. Place one house on top of each candle. Your haunted house will light up and make your backyard look spooky.

Set the background for your Halloween activities by playing some Halloween themed dance music. Bowls of treats and canned drinks will really heighten the party atmosphere.