14 Fun Halloween Traditions Families Can Start This Year

Halloween feels extra special when families make their own traditions. It’s the perfect time to try fun new activities that bring everyone together. From pumpkin carving nights to glow-in-the-dark games, there are so many simple ways to make lasting memories. These ideas will help turn October into a month full of laughter, treats, and family moments you’ll look forward to each year.

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Host a Backyard Pumpkin Carving Night

Turning pumpkin carving into an outdoor event makes the night feel extra special. Set up long tables with newspapers, carving tools, and bowls for seeds. Add string lights or lanterns for a cozy glow, and play light background music to keep the mood fun. Warm drinks like cider or hot chocolate make the activity feel even more inviting for everyone.

Once the pumpkins are finished, line them up and admire the designs as they flicker with candles inside. Kids love seeing their work come to life in the dark. You can even hand out small prizes for the funniest or most creative pumpkin. It’s a simple, festive way to spend an October evening together.

Have a Costume Fashion Show

Turn dressing up into a fun event instead of just a Halloween night moment. Let each family member show off their costume on a homemade “runway” in the living room or yard. Play music, take lots of photos, and let the kids announce each other’s outfits with made-up names. Everyone gets to laugh, clap, and enjoy being a little silly.

After the show, upload your photos into a “family fright album” that you can add to every year. It’s a fun way to look back on past Halloweens and see how everyone’s costumes have changed. Some families even vote for funny titles like “most creative” or “best homemade outfit.” It’s lighthearted fun that builds memories and laughter year after year.

Make Homemade Caramel Apples or Spooky Cupcakes

Few things smell more like fall than caramel bubbling on the stove. Get the whole family involved in dipping apples, rolling them in crushed cookies, or decorating cupcakes with candy eyes. Even younger kids can help stir, sprinkle, or drizzle. The best part is enjoying your creations together afterward.

You can make it an annual baking night every October. Try new toppings each year, like mini marshmallows, crushed pretzels, or candy corn. Wrap a few in wax paper and share them with neighbors or friends. It’s a fun, low-cost tradition that tastes just as good as it looks.

Watch a Halloween Classic Each Night

Build up the excitement for Halloween by turning the week before October 31 into movie nights. Pick a mix of age-friendly favorites like “Hocus Pocus,” “Hotel Transylvania,” or “The Addams Family.” Dim the lights, grab blankets, and serve popcorn with a few candy add-ins. Everyone can take turns choosing what to watch.

Make it feel special by giving each movie night a little twist. One evening can be pajama night, another can include themed snacks, or you can vote on the best quote from each film. By the end of the week, it becomes something everyone looks forward to each year. It’s an easy and comforting way to celebrate together.

Create a DIY Haunted Maze or Mini Haunted House

If you have a garage or basement, turn it into your family’s haunted attraction. Use black garbage bags, sheets, or cardboard to build tunnels and walls. Add fake cobwebs, plastic spiders, and a few battery candles for eerie lighting. Kids love helping design the rooms and planning the spooky surprises.

Invite neighbors or friends to walk through once it’s ready. You can change the theme each year—like “monster lab” or “witch’s kitchen.” Keep it silly rather than scary for younger kids. It’s a creative project that gets everyone working together while filling the house with Halloween laughter.

Deliver Boo Baskets to Neighbors

A “boo basket” is a small surprise left secretly on someone’s doorstep. Fill it with candy, stickers, and little toys, then leave a note saying “You’ve been booed!” Ring the bell or knock, then run and hide. It’s fun watching neighbors try to guess who left the treats.

You can make it a chain reaction by encouraging each family to “boo” someone else. Before long, the whole block joins in the fun. Kids love helping pack and decorate the baskets. It’s a simple way to spread kindness and Halloween cheer without spending much money.

Plan a Themed Family Dinner

Dinner feels more exciting when you turn it into a Halloween celebration. Pick orange and black foods like pasta with pumpkin sauce or bat-shaped sandwiches. Decorate the table with paper spiders, candles, or small pumpkins. Even the pickiest eaters will enjoy something playful and festive.

Try naming each dish with a spooky twist, like “witch’s brew punch” or “mummy dogs.” Let kids help come up with names and design the menu. End the meal with a treat like pudding “graveyards” or candy corn parfaits. It’s a fun way to make an ordinary dinner feel like a party.

Start a Pumpkin-Rolling Contest

This game brings a bit of outdoor silliness to Halloween. Find a small hill or long driveway and let everyone pick their own pumpkin. The goal is to see whose pumpkin rolls farthest without breaking. You’ll hear plenty of laughter as pumpkins wobble and spin in all directions.
Give small prizes for the longest roll or the funniest crash. Younger kids can roll mini pumpkins, while older ones take on the big ones. It’s an activity that gets everyone moving and laughing. Plus, it’s one of those traditions that becomes funnier each year.

Build a Halloween Village Display

Collect small figurines, haunted houses, and trees to create a spooky town scene. You can start small with just a few pieces and grow it over time. Place it on a table or mantel and let each person help arrange it. The glowing windows and tiny trick-or-treaters give the room a festive touch.
Turn setting it up into a family ritual every October. Add one new piece each year as a way to remember the season. Kids love picking out their favorite new addition. It’s a quiet, creative activity that fills the house with Halloween spirit.

Take a Nighttime Walk to See Decorations

Dress warmly and head out after dark to look at neighborhood displays. Bring flashlights or glow necklaces so everyone can see safely. Some families even make a little scorecard to vote on the spookiest, funniest, or most creative decorations. The fresh air makes it feel like a small adventure.
Finish the walk with hot cocoa or cookies at home. You’ll see how different houses celebrate and maybe get ideas for your own yard. It’s simple, free, and full of seasonal charm. Sometimes the best memories come from something as easy as a walk together.

Write Spooky Stories and Read Them Aloud

Encourage everyone to write short Halloween stories with their own twist. They can be funny, silly, or a little spooky—whatever fits their imagination. Use flashlights or candles while reading them out loud to set the mood. Kids will love hearing everyone’s creative ideas.
You can keep the stories in a notebook and add new ones each year. Soon it becomes a family collection you’ll enjoy rereading. It’s a great way to spark imagination and share laughs. Plus, it gives everyone a break from screens while spending time together.

Design Matching Trick-or-Treat Bags

Turn plain fabric bags into something special by decorating them with paints or patches. Each person can add their name, a favorite character, or glow-in-the-dark designs. Lay out markers, stencils, and stickers to keep it creative. The process is as fun as using the bags later.
You can even make a new design every year to mark the season. Take photos of each year’s creation for memories. It’s a simple project that adds a personal touch to trick-or-treating. Kids love showing off their one-of-a-kind bags while collecting candy.

Visit a Local Pumpkin Patch or Fall Farm

A trip to a pumpkin patch feels like the start of Halloween. Walk through rows of pumpkins, ride the hay wagon, and sip warm cider as you go. Many farms have corn mazes, petting zoos, or small games to keep kids entertained. It’s an outing that blends fun and fall scenery perfectly.
Pick one “family pumpkin” each year and take a group photo before heading home. Later, carve or paint it together as part of your decorations. The pictures become a sweet way to see how everyone changes over time. It’s one of those traditions that grows more meaningful every fall.

End the Night with a Backyard Campfire

Gather around a fire pit after trick-or-treating to unwind. Roast marshmallows, make s’mores, and share your favorite moments from the night. The crackling fire makes everything feel calm and cozy after the excitement. Add blankets and soft music to keep it comfortable.
You can take turns telling ghost stories—fun ones for kids or slightly spooky tales for older tweens. It’s a peaceful way to close out Halloween night while everyone relaxes. These quiet family moments often become the ones remembered most. Each year, it’s the perfect way to end the celebration.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.