Halloween Party Games for Kids

Are you throwing a Halloween party for kids and don't know what to do to entertain the little monsters? Finding games to play that are appropriate for children is not all that hard. You should take into account the ages, skill level and number of kids attending the party when planning your games and activities. Doing so will make your Halloween party enjoyable for everyone involved.

Hot Pumpkin: Similar to the traditional game of 'Hot Potato'. Guests sit in a circle on the floor and pass a small pumpkin around the cirle as music is playing. When the music goes off, the person holding the pumpkin is out. They remove themself from the cirlce and the game continues until one person is left as the winner. You can also vary this if needed for younger kids who get upset at the idea of being "out". The person that is holding the pumpkin when the music stops gets a prize. Continue playing until each player has received a prize.

Apple Bobbing: Fill a small tub up with water and place apples in the water. With hands tied behind their backs, the players can only use their mouths to get the apples from the water. This game might not be a good idea for large groups or children that are not related to each other, as germs are spread when mouths are placed on the apples.

Hanging Apples: If apple bobbing is not desirable, hang the apples from a tree by long strands of yarn to the child's height. Place one red apple and the rest green apples or vice versa. Blindfold the guests and have them find the "lucky apple". If they find the lucky apple, they get a caramel covered or chocolate coated apple as their prize.

Jack-o-Lantern Candy Hunt: Just like the traditional Easter egg hunt that children love! Gather orange eggs from previous years and draw jack-o-lantern faces on the eggs with a permanent black marker. Fill the inside of the eggs with candy, small toys or money and hide for the children to find.

Put A Face On The Pumpkin: Have each child bring a large pumpkin to the party or buy one for each guest. Provide pre-cut pieces of different colored felt that can be attached to the pumpkin with glue. You can alter this game also by using paints or markers instead. Allow the kids to use yarn for hair. Judge the pumpkins on scariest, prettiest, most unique, etc and give awards accordingly. Make sure to have an award for everyone if your guests are young and don't understand winning and losing.

Pumpkin Walk: Cut out pumpkins from colored poster board and label each pumpkin with a number from 1-10. Place the pumpkins in a circle on the floor. Prior to the party, make pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, spider cupcakes or other desserts that are Halloween related. Play music and when the music stops all guests should stop and stand on their number. Draw a number from a bag and whichever guest is on that number gets to choose a treat!