11 Halloween-Themed Entertainment Options for the Whole Family

Halloween is the perfect time for families to come together and enjoy fun, spooky activities. From traditions like pumpkin carving and trick-or-treating to creative games and themed parties, there are plenty of ways to make lasting memories. Whether you’re looking to get crafty or share a few laughs, Halloween offers something for everyone. These festive ideas will ensure you make the most of this exciting season with loved ones.

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Pumpkin Carving

Pumpkin carving is a classic Halloween tradition that encourages creativity and brings families together. Choosing a pumpkin, cleaning it out, and carving it into a fun or spooky design is an activity that everyone can enjoy, regardless of age. Kids can use safe carving kits with smaller tools, while adults can tackle more detailed designs. The best part comes when the carved pumpkins are placed outside, with a candle or LED light inside, casting an eerie glow that adds to the Halloween ambiance. Families can even have a friendly competition to see who can carve the scariest or funniest pumpkin.

For a mess-free alternative, you can try pumpkin painting or decorating with stickers, markers, or glitter. This option is perfect for younger children who might not be ready for carving but still want to participate in the festive fun. It’s also a great way to keep the creative spirit alive while avoiding the mess of pumpkin guts. No matter how you choose to decorate your pumpkin, this activity is a wonderful way to bond as a family and create memorable decorations for Halloween night.

Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-treating is undoubtedly one of the most exciting Halloween activities for families, especially for younger children. The thrill of dressing up in creative costumes and walking through the neighborhood to collect candy is a highlight of the season. It’s a fun, free activity that allows kids to showcase their costumes and enjoy the festive spirit of the season. Parents can join in on the fun by dressing up as well, or they can walk along to ensure the kids stay safe while having a blast.

Aside from the candy, trick-or-treating is a great way to connect with your neighbors and experience a sense of community. Many neighborhoods go all out with decorations, and you might even find houses offering special Halloween-themed treats or spooky surprises. For families with very young children, consider attending daytime trick-or-treating events hosted by local businesses or communities. These events tend to have a lower-key atmosphere, with less intense decorations and candy suited for younger trick-or-treaters.

Haunted House Tour

A haunted house tour offers a spine-chilling adventure for families with older kids who love a good scare. Many theme parks, local farms, and even historical sites transform into haunted houses during Halloween, offering eerie experiences filled with spooky props, sound effects, and actors dressed as ghosts, monsters, and creatures. These tours can range from mildly spooky to downright terrifying, but family-friendly versions are usually available to ensure everyone, including young ones, can enjoy the thrills without feeling overwhelmed.

For those who aren’t keen on traditional haunted houses, consider visiting a “haunted hayride” or “pumpkin patch” that offers a less frightening experience but still delivers a spooky atmosphere. These tours often provide a more interactive experience, allowing families to explore haunted forests, old barns, or other creepy locations. Whether it’s a haunted house or a pumpkin-filled maze, the experience of walking through dark, misty corridors with eerie sounds in the background is sure to leave a lasting impression on the entire family.

Halloween-Themed Movie Marathon

A Halloween-themed movie marathon is a perfect way to enjoy a cozy evening with the family while celebrating the spooky season. With countless Halloween movies available, you can choose a selection that suits all ages. Start with family-friendly classics like Hocus Pocus, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Casper for younger children, and perhaps add a few spookier films for the older crowd. This activity is ideal for rainy days or when you simply want to stay in and relax while enjoying some good, spooky entertainment.

To make the movie night even more special, you can create a themed snack bar with Halloween treats like popcorn in black-and-orange cups, cookies shaped like pumpkins, or “witch’s brew” punch. Encourage everyone to dress up in their costumes or wear cozy Halloween-themed pajamas to add to the fun. The great thing about a movie marathon is that you can do it multiple times throughout the month, with a different theme or set of films each time. This tradition brings the family together and creates the perfect atmosphere for a night filled with spooks, laughs, and fun.

Mummy Wrap Game

The Mummy Wrap game is a hilarious and engaging activity for families looking to enjoy some Halloween fun. It’s easy to play and doesn’t require much preparation. Simply get a few rolls of toilet paper and divide into teams. The goal is to wrap one person in the group as tightly as possible to turn them into a mummy, all while racing against the other team to finish first. This activity not only gets everyone laughing but also promotes teamwork and friendly competition.

This game can be played indoors or outdoors, making it adaptable to any Halloween setting. It’s perfect for a family party or even as a quick break from other Halloween activities. You can add a twist by giving the teams different challenges, such as decorating the “mummy” with spooky accessories or completing a series of mini-games before wrapping begins. The Mummy Wrap game is a great way to keep the energy high while enjoying the Halloween atmosphere.

Costume Contest

A costume contest is a great way to get everyone in the Halloween spirit while showcasing their creativity. Families can have a fun competition by encouraging everyone to dress up in their most original or funny costumes. You can set up a “runway” or a mini stage in the living room where each participant gets to show off their costume. Categories can range from “Best DIY Costume” to “Spookiest Costume” or “Most Creative Group Theme,” ensuring that every family member, no matter their age, has a chance to win a prize.

For an added twist, offer small rewards or trophies for the winners in each category, or even vote on the best costumes through a fun, interactive method. Costume contests are an excellent icebreaker at Halloween parties and can bring plenty of laughter and friendly rivalry. Plus, it’s a great way to celebrate the costumes that everyone has put time and effort into creating, making everyone feel involved in the Halloween festivities.

Spooky Scavenger Hunt

A spooky scavenger hunt is a creative Halloween activity that blends fun and mystery. You can set up a list of spooky clues around the house or yard that lead to hidden Halloween-themed treasures like candy, small toys, or other treats. To make it extra spooky, incorporate Halloween elements like witches’ spells, creepy creatures, or haunted maps that guide the family through the hunt. This activity encourages problem-solving and teamwork, making it great for families to bond while enjoying the season’s spooky magic.

For added excitement, make it a timed challenge where family members race against the clock to find all the clues. You can also have different levels of difficulty depending on the ages of the children, so everyone has a chance to participate. This can be done indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather, and offers a great way to get everyone involved in a festive and active Halloween-themed adventure.

Monster Dance Party

A monster dance party is a fun and energetic way to celebrate Halloween, especially for families with younger children. Create a playlist full of spooky tunes, from classic Halloween songs like Thriller and Ghostbusters to kid-friendly hits like Monster Mash or The Addams Family theme song. Families can dress in their favorite costumes and have a dance-off, showing off their best monster moves. You can also teach the kids some classic Halloween dances, like the “Thriller” dance, to get everyone involved.

To keep the energy up, set up a mini dance floor with Halloween decorations like cobwebs, glowing lights, and pumpkins. You can even turn it into a game by having a “freeze dance” contest, where the music stops, and everyone has to freeze in their spooky poses. This activity is a great way for families to get active while having fun, and it’s sure to make for some memorable Halloween moments.

Spooky Baking Contest

A spooky baking contest is perfect for families who love to get creative in the kitchen. Choose a Halloween theme, like pumpkins, ghosts, or witches, and encourage everyone to bake spooky treats. From ghost-shaped cookies to pumpkin pies or creepy cupcakes, there’s no shortage of fun ideas for baked goods. To make it even more exciting, you can have a friendly competition to see who can create the best Halloween-themed treat, whether it’s the most decorated or the most delicious.

Families can work together to gather ingredients, plan their creations, and then judge the treats based on creativity, taste, and presentation. This is a great way to bond while making delicious treats that you can enjoy after all the baking is done. Plus, the treats are perfect for handing out to trick-or-treaters or sharing with guests at a Halloween party. The spooky baking contest adds a tasty element to your Halloween festivities.

Spooky Story Time

For a quieter Halloween activity, spooky story time can be a magical way to wind down after a day of trick-or-treating or other activities. Gather around the living room with the lights dimmed and share spooky, age-appropriate stories. You can read from a Halloween-themed book or create your own stories, adding personal touches like family members’ names or pets. Younger children might enjoy hearing tales about friendly ghosts or mischievous monsters, while older kids can handle more thrilling stories.

This activity sparks imagination and creates a cozy atmosphere while still capturing the spooky essence of Halloween. You can set the mood by using props like jack-o’-lanterns or playing eerie sound effects in the background. Spooky story time is perfect for winding down after all the excitement of the day, offering a calm and bonding experience for the family.

DIY Haunted Maze

A DIY haunted maze is an interactive and spooky Halloween activity for families who want to get creative. You can transform your basement, backyard, or garage into a haunted maze full of spooky surprises. Use items like old sheets, fake cobwebs, dim lighting, and Halloween decorations to create an eerie atmosphere. Depending on the size of your space, you can make it as elaborate or as simple as you want.

Invite family members to walk through the maze while navigating through challenges, creepy sound effects, or jump scares. For younger kids, consider making the maze less frightening and more playful, with hidden surprises like candy or Halloween-themed toys. This hands-on project is not only fun but also a great bonding experience as everyone works together to design and build the haunted maze.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.