12 Halloween Party Games That’ll Have Your Crew Laughing, Screaming, and Begging for More
Halloween is basically the Super Bowl of fun. Nothing gets the party started like awesome games everyone can play to keep guests entertained .
Whether it’s a bunch of wild little goblins or a crew of grown-ups who still love dressing up, we all want our parties during this spooky holiday season to be filled with laughs and memories that last longer than the bowl of candy, especially when playing fun halloween games .
We’ve rounded up our favorite 12 Halloween party games, including the best halloween games, to keep the good times rolling and everyone in the spooky spirit!
So, grab your snacks, put on your silliest witch hat, and let’s make this a fun bash no one will forget.
1) Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe with mini pumpkins and vines
This one is seriously cute—and a simple game that is so easy! Just grab a few mini pumpkins and use them as hocus pocus game pieces on a tic-tac-toe board made from twine or even real vines.
We can use different colored pumpkins or slap on some stickers to tell the teams apart. There’s something extra fun about moving little pumpkins around in a friendly competition while giggling with friends.
It’s perfect for keeping little hands busy at any Halloween hangout. Check out this Pumpkin Tic Tac Toe idea along with other halloween themed items for instant inspo!
2) Mummy Wrap Race with toilet paper rolls
Toilet paper isn’t just for bathrooms—hello, mummy wrap race! Grab a bunch of cheap rolls and team up.
One friend becomes the “mummy,” and the rest of us go wild wrapping them from head to toe. It’s chaos, honestly, but so much fun.
Teams race to cover their mummy the fastest. Check out more ways to play the mummy wrap game for a wild time.
3) Spooky Scavenger Hunt around the house
Let’s grab our little monsters and get hunting! Make a list of creepy things for this scavenger hunt interactive activity—think plastic spiders, orange socks, or anything spooky hiding around the house—as well as some fun halloween party games.
No fancy skills required, just some excited kids, flashlights, and maybe a few silly prizes for whoever finds the weirdest item. If we need inspiration, there are awesome lists and free printables out there like this Halloween scavenger hunt.
4) Witch Hat Ring Toss with glow-in-the-dark rings
Nothing screams Halloween fun like tossing glowing rings onto a ghost stories witch hat, especially during a halloween themed word game ! Set up a witch’s hat (store-bought or cardboard totally works) across the room and take turns trying to land the rings right on top.
The best part? We use glow-in-the-dark rings for max spooky vibes. It’s harder than it looks, but the laughter is so worth it.
Want more ideas with a fun halloween twist ? Check out this witch hat ring toss game for inspo!
5) Monster Freeze Dance to creepy tunes
Who’s ready to dance like a totally wacky monster? Put on some spooky music, get your wildest moves going, and—boom—the second the music stops, freeze in place like statues.
It’s hilarious watching everyone try not to giggle. This game works with any age, which is why we love it!
Need music ideas? There are lots, like the Monster Mash Freeze Dance online.
6) Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin blindfold game
This one’s a classic, but it never gets old! Grab a big picture or cutout of a pumpkin for the costume contest —nothing fancy needed.
Blindfold your brave players, spin them gently (nobody likes getting too dizzy, trust us), and watch the fun as they try to stick a paper nose right in the center. The wobbly paths and off-center noses always crack us up.
Perfect for kids—and yes, adults are totally allowed! You can use store-bought kits or print your own cute pumpkin and noses for free, like the ones from Woo! Jr. Kids Activities at printable pin the nose on the pumpkin game.
7) Cauldron Toss using bean bags and buckets
Who’s ready for some friendly competition? Grab a few buckets (or big bowls if you’re feeling fancy), set them out at different distances, and call them cauldrons.
Hand everyone a few bean bags. The goal is to toss the bean bags into the cauldrons. It’s harder than it sounds—and way more hilarious!
For extra fun, assign each “cauldron” a different point value or a silly challenge. It’s a classic party game that keeps everyone laughing!
8) Ghost Bowling with white painted bottles
Grab some empty bottles, spray them white, and turn them into spooky little ghost bowling pins. Don’t forget to give them adorable (or silly!) ghost faces with a black marker—no artistic skill required, promise.
Set them up in the hallway, grab a ball, and let the giggles begin as you try to knock them all down. This game is so easy to make, plus it’s perfect for both kids and adults.
Get more bowling pin ideas at Play Party Plan or No Time For Flash Cards.
9) Spider Web Obstacle Course using yarn
Picture this—we turn our messy living room into a giant spider web with just yarn. It’s one of those “don’t touch the strings or you’ll wake up the spiders!” kind of games.
String the yarn like wild between chairs and couches, then crawl, duck, and giggle your way through, just like little ninjas. For extra fun, let’s pretend to rescue a stuffed animal caught in the web!
If you want to see how others set it up, check out this spider web obstacle course.
10) Eyeball Relay Race with ping pong balls
Nothing gets our party crew giggling like a good old-fashioned relay! Hand out plastic spoons and drop a “eyeball” ping pong ball on top.
Race across the room, trying not to let that eyeball bounce away. If it drops, oops—back to the starting line!
This game is easy to set up and always a hit with kids. You can see more ideas for an eyeball relay race for even more tips.
11) Candy Corn Count guessing game
Who can even guess how many candy corn pieces fit in a jar? Basically, grab a jar, pack it with candy corn, and let the wild guesses begin!
We all scribble down our answers (and maybe try to do actual math, but who are we kidding?). Closest guess snags the prize—and yes, candy corn totally counts as a prize!
If you want a printable or ideas for twists, check out some adorable inspiration for the Candy Corn Guessing Game.
12) Monster Charades with Halloween-themed actions
Let’s be real, nothing brings out the giggles like monster charades or an exciting round of halloween pictionary ! We pick Halloween words—think “zombie walk” or “casting a spooky spell”—and act them out without talking.
The rest of us have to guess what it is. No acting skills? No problem!
The point is to get silly with it. If you need tons of Halloween charades ideas, check out this huge list of spooky prompts.
Tips For Setting The Spooky Vibe
Let’s be real, planning a Halloween party is fun, but it can also feel a little overwhelming. With a few easy tricks in our party planning, along with some creative halloween party ideas, we can set the perfect spooky mood without extra stress, last-minute panic, or a trip to the haunted house for ideas.
Decorating Without Losing Your Mind
We don’t have to turn our house into a Hollywood movie set for it to feel spooky and fun. Start with string lights—orange or purple, please!—and drape them over windows, across doorways, or even on the snack table.
Dollar store spider webs work magic and can be stretched over every surface. Balloons are our new best friends.
Grab a marker, draw some ghost faces, and scatter them everywhere. If we have old pillowcases, those can turn into quick ghosts by tying them over a broomstick or chair.
Easy, cute, and takes maybe five minutes. For extra drama (without extra effort), put out bowls of peeled grapes or cold spaghetti and challenge everyone to guess “what’s in the bowl?”
Blindfolds make it way funnier. Don’t forget about a little DIY photo booth!
Use a black bedsheet as the background, gather some goofy props (witch hats, fangs, whatever we find), and invite everyone in for memory-making pics. For more organizing and party ideas, check out this list of Halloween party tips.
Quick Costume Touch-Ups For Game Night
Let’s be honest, someone always rips a wing or their blood drips get smudged during games. We can save the day with a small “costume first aid kit.”
Ours has safety pins, double-sided tape, wet wipes, a mini brush, and a tube of face paint. When eyeliner gets smeared (thanks, tag game), we just swipe a q-tip and touch it up in two seconds.
If anyone’s vampire cape is falling off, a safety pin or clip fixes that fast. Remind guests to bring basic things—extra lipstick, bobby pins—so we’re not the only ones with a mini costume ER.
We can even make a “Monster Makeover Station” in the bathroom, stocked with hairspray, glitter, and a few makeup wipes. That way, guests keep their look on point—even during the silliest relay races or dance-offs.
Choosing The Right Playlist For Maximum Screams
Music totally sets the scene for ghost stories , right? We like to build a playlist ahead of time with a mix of spooky classics and fun dance songs.
Think “Monster Mash,” “Thriller,” “Somebody’s Watching Me,” and a few movie soundtracks for spooky background vibes, especially when telling scary stories . We also sneak in silly songs that everyone knows so we can have spontaneous dance breaks.
Use streaming services to find pre-made Halloween playlists if we’re short on time—there are some really good ones, and they’re totally free. Just search “Halloween Party” and hit play.
Keep a small speaker handy and make sure it’s charged, because nothing kills the mood like super quiet music. If we want bonus points, switch up the playlist for each game—creepy for charades, energetic for musical chairs.
For more party game and vibe ideas, this post has great Halloween party game ideas.
How To Keep The Party Energy High
Let’s be honest: nothing tanks a party faster than bored guests counting down the minutes. We want our guests laughing, moving, and making the kind of memories everyone giggles about a year from now.
Easy Prizes That Make Kids (And Grown-Ups) Squeal
First, let’s talk about prizes—they don’t have to be fancy to get everyone excited. A stash of goofy Halloween socks, glow sticks, or even a handful of stickers can spark serious competition.
For grown-ups, think mini bottles of hot sauce, quirky coffee mugs, or those tiny bottles of hand sanitizer (we all know someone who collects them). We’re talking dollar store treasures, not designer goods.
It’s all about finding little surprises people actually want: Halloween pencils, lip balm, silly vampire teeth, or peel-off masks. Display prizes on a “Treat Table” so people know what’s up for grabs—adds serious hype and makes the winners feel extra important.
Wrap prizes in black or orange tissue paper to make the reveal even more fun! Simple, easy, and totally squeal-worthy for all ages.
If you need even more ideas, check out this list of low-prep Halloween games and prize ideas that are easy and affordable.
Tricks To Get Everyone Involved—Yes, Even Aunt Kelly
We know some people are “I’ll just watch” types—looking at you, Aunt Kelly. Here’s our secret: pick games with flexible roles!
Run games like Charades or “Who Am I?” so quieter folks can play without silly costumes or dancing in front of strangers. Offer a team option to split guests —pair shy guests with outgoing ones, and suddenly everyone’s giggling together.
Have a sign-up board for team games (with the option to just hang out and cheer if that’s their style). We always remind everyone: all participation levels are perfect—hype up every person, whether they’re running, guessing, or holding the snacks.
If in doubt, try Halloween trivia or a group art activity so literally everyone has a seat at the table. Look for inspiration from these Halloween party game ideas for all ages.
What To Do When The Sugar Rush Gets Real
Sugar rushes will happen—hello, it’s Halloween! Don’t panic when the energy shifts from “aww, cute” to “oh no, they’re climbing furniture.”
We usually plan one or two active games, like Zombie Freeze Dance or an epic toilet paper mummy race. Quick bursts of running or wild movement help kids (and honestly, hyped-up grown-ups) burn off some serious energy, leading perfectly into a murder mystery dinner .
Make a list of “energy breakers” and keep it handy. A few rounds of glow-in-the-dark pumpkin bowling or a balloon “ghost” toss get everyone moving but don’t let things spiral out of control.
Simple props and music are all you really need for fast, silly fun. If you want more creative options, these Halloween Minute to Win It games can really boost the energy when things start to lag.
