Fun Halloween Party Ideas for Kids: The Monster Hunt

Running low on Halloween party ideas for your kids? You can put their investigative skills to the test with this unique Halloween party adventure: the Halloween Monster Hunt. This party idea is fun for everyone, but best suited to kids ages 5-10.

The Set-Up

Before your Halloween party guests arrive, print out some realistic newspaper clippings about a monster that's been spotted in the area. Use a drawing or clip-art to serve as a "police sketch" of the creature. In your headline story, make up some facts about the monster that will really get the kids fired up. For example, you could say that the monster has been doing naughty things this Halloween like stealing favorite stuffed animals or robbing toy and candy stores. Up the ante by announcing that there's a reward for catching the critter.

The Hook

When the Halloween party guests arrive, present them with the newspaper clippings and get them started on their night of fun. If you chose to have the monster steal kids' teddy bears, leave some clues in your child's bedroom. Remove one of their beloved stuffed animals and leave a ransom note signed with a glob of green goo (slime or Jell-O). Now it's personal, and the kids will stop at nothing to find that monster and get the toy back. Give each child a flashlight and a notebook, and set them free. Their job is to search the house and yard for clues that will lead them to the Halloween monster.

The Plot Thickens

Be sure to toss a few red herrings across the kids' trail. Make some footprints that lead up to a wall and vanish. Maybe the monster can fly or turn invisible - or walk through walls. Dribble some green goo near your sink and bath tub drains. Maybe the monster can slither down into the pipes! Kids will come up with all kinds of creative ways to thwart such an enemy. Encourage them to use their logic, investigative skills, secret ninja powers, or any other crazy resources at their disposal.

If the kids seem to be at a loss, stage a phone call from the chief of police. The cops have a few clues to share, but they need the kids to find the monster and make the arrest. If you want to go all out, you could even create a "Monster Hunter's Guide" that lists important facts about the creature. For example, kids could use the book to learn that the monster is afraid of bright lights but can't resist the smell of chocolate. The party guests will have a blast walking around in the dark, trying to lure the Halloween monster into a trap. Leave the guide somewhere for the kids to discover in the course of their investigation.

The Conclusion

Once the kids have gathered up all the clues, the final confrontation is at hand. You can play this out in one of two ways: the kids catch the monster, or the monster gets away but promises to be good.

If you have someone willing to portray the monster, the first option is typically the most rewarding for the party guests. They worked hard to track down the creature, and they want to get their hands on it! Get an adult to dress up in costume and pretend to be the monster. Be sure to choose someone who doesn't mind getting brutalized by a mob of small children. The monster can either go peacefully to jail or try to negotiate for his freedom. He could play on the kids' sympathy by making a heart-felt promise never to snatch another teddy bear. Then the kids have a dilemma: give the monster another chance, or turn him in and get the reward! Either way, bring out the digital camera and get some fun "action shots" of the kids apprehending the Halloween monster.

If you choose to let the monster get away, have him leave another note saying that his life of crime is at an end. He's just too scared of the monster hunters, and he promises to behave himself this Halloween - and every other day. Because the kids scared off the Halloween monster, they still get the reward for stopping his crime spree.

The Happy Ending

The kids have defeated the Halloween monster and sent him packing. The cool thing about the Halloween Monster Hunt is that it can keep your young guests occupied and having a blast for as long as you want. End it quickly so the kids can move on to other Halloween party activities, or draw it out by planting false clues and staging a few near-misses. The harder the kids have to work, the more fun they'll have when they finally corner the critter.

If you take digital photos of the children and the monster, be sure to share them with your guests and their parents. This will be one Halloween party adventure that your kids will never forget!