Halloween Games for School Parties

Spookily Revised Classic Games

Coming up with Halloween games for school parties does not have to tax your brain. Take classic children’s games and make them into a spooky new version to keep kids entertained. Not only is it easy and simple, but saves you time explaining directions to new and complicated games.

• Hangman--Older school kids will get a kick out of playing hangman. Make sure phrases relate to the holiday, and draw a skeleton instead of a stick person.
• Pin the Tail--Hang a picture of a black cat on the wall and have students try to attach the tail. This also works for a witch’s hat, Frankenstein’s nose, or the pumpkin head of the headless horsemen.
• Hot and Cold--Have students leave the room and hide a bone somewhere in the classroom. When they come back, have them pair up and search for the bone. Say “hot” when they are near the bone and “cold” if they are too far. The bone could be drawn in paper or use a cleaned chicken bone.
• Halloween BINGO—Hand out bingo cards with a ghost in the free space. Instead of spelling BINGO across the top, spell GHOST and use candy for the markers.
• Musical Chairs—Play musical chairs using spooky music, like The Monster Mash.
• The Witch Says—Instead of “Simon Says” have students play “The Witch Says.”
• Pass the Pumpkin—Holding a small pumpkin under their chin, students will try to pass the gourd onto the next person in line without using their hands.

You can have small prizes, like spider rings or goofy glasses available for winners, but it is not necessary.

Halloween Games for School Parties

Certain games only make sense to be played during the fall season and around Halloween. Kids at school Halloween parties will get a kick out of playing games they normally do not get a chance to participate in during the rest of the year.

Bobbing for Apples

Bobbing for apples is a fall party favorite. Make sure you have plenty of towels available, because it can get really wet!

Pumpkin Carving/Decorating

Older students will enjoy carving out their own pumpkins into creative designs. Invite a lower-elementary class to “buddy” up with for the activity. The younger kids will enjoy scooping out the pumpkin’s innards. Take snapshots of the students with their buddies and their jack o’ lanterns.

Costume Contest

Divide students up into teams. Hand each team a grocery bag full of old clothes and props. Set a timer for 5 minutes and have them come up with the wackiest costume they can imagine.

Creepy-Crawlies

Perfect for kids in grades kindergarten through second grade, a “creepy-crawly” station will surely delight their senses. Use old shoeboxes decorated in orange and black as shadow boxes. Cut a hole into the box just big enough to stick an arm through. Place creepy items, like wet spaghetti noodles, reptile skin, or peeled grapes into each box. Label them things like “mummy brains,” “witch’s skin,” and “vampire eyeballs.”

Scary Storytelling

This party game is perfect for any age group. Have students sit in a circle. Start off by saying one sentence that could open a story, such as “I was babysitting my younger brother when I heard an awful scream!” The student next to you will then add to the story starter by saying another sentence. By the time the end of the circle is reached, the story should be complete.

Additional Halloween Party Ideas

In addition to games, you want to be sure to have several other things to do at the school Halloween party. A costume parade down the halls or around the block will amuse younger students. Older kids could be the parade judges.

Have plenty of food and drink available. A do-it-yourself decorating station with sprinkles, candies, and frosting is a fun activity to do with cupcakes and cookies. Be sure to have caramel apples, pumpkin bars, and orange punch.

You could include various kids Halloween crafts as part of your lesson plans for the day. Be sure to pick up additional supplies for any volunteers that may be helping out with the party.

Using Halloween games for school parties will make sure your students keep occupied and have a great time. Combined with fun food and activities, the kids Halloween party will be one they talk about for the rest of the year.