The 45 Best Halloween Games for Kids in 2023

Turn Halloween candy into a tool for enrichment with an entertaining STEM game that promises to put kids’ engineering skills to the test. Children compete to build the tallest structure using only pumpkin candies and toothpicks—just be sure to have a timer handy, because once a tower has been completed, it has to stand tall for at least 30 seconds. Young party goers will get a kick out of this exciting challenge and parents will appreciate the opportunity to postpone the inevitable sugar rush (for a little while at least).

This printable game of charades features festive and kid-friendly prompts (“carving a pumpkin” and “eating candy”) that are easy enough to invite participation from even the youngest guests. Simply print and cut out the playing cards and let the goofy entertainment begin. Best of all, this classic game promises to keep a group of kids quiet for a spell, so we suggest you bust it out when things start to get a touch too rowdy.

Haunted houses can be intense, especially for the under ten set, but kids six and up can get a milder introduction to the Halloween tradition with this haunted mansion board game. The rules of this family-friendly game are straightforward and the play is plenty engaging—just keep in mind that this one can only accommodate up to four players, so it is best-suited for a holiday gathering where only a few little ghouls and goblins are present.

Another classic game that comes in free, printable form, these bingo cards boast cute Halloween pictures that the preschool crowd can easily identify. It may not be the spookiest game on the list, but this old standby will come in handy when the kids at the party need to regroup with a low-key activity.

Any kind of race is bound to be immensely popular with the more energetic guests at the party, but running indoors can be problematic, to say the least. The solution? Satisfy the young competitive spirit with an exciting spider race, instead. A little pre-party crafting is required, but you might be grateful for the kid-friendly project when you’re wrestling with the rest of the decorations.

This one is not exactly a game, per se, since there’s no competition involved. Still, it’s an engaging and interactive storytelling activity and a perfect party event for groups of younger kids. Plus, all you need is orange construction paper and scissors for every participant to pull it off.

This entertaining Halloween game is sort of like bobbing for apples, but the prize is sweeter and the process is far more sanitary. The gist of it is that a bunch of marshmallows are strung from a witchy broomstick and kids compete to eat the spooky treat in its entirety without allowing it to fall on the floor, which is especially difficult because hands must remain behind backs. The adults holding the broomstick can make the game even harder by lifting and swaying it, but either way the game is fun for all ages and the spectacle is truly hilarious.

This game of hand-eye-coordination is like a kid-friendly, booze-free version of beer pong, but with an easier target—a trick-or-treat basket takes the place of the red solo cup. It’s a cinch to set up this indoor activity—just clear a table and decorate a couple ping pong balls for a ghoulish effect—and the play requires enough skill to keep kids engaged for a good while.

Any child who’s old enough to get dressed independently can get in on this indoor-friendly race in which members of a team use a bone and a ball of yarn to weave themselves together. The team that uses the bone to complete the human chain first wins. Bottom line: This one is fast-paced, exciting and great for larger groups of kids.

Pin the tail on the donkey is such a beloved game that it has been given a variety of makeovers to suit nearly every holiday and celebratory event...and Halloween is no exception. You can probably guess how this one goes: Blindfold a kid, spin him around and watch him fumble about as he tries to stick the spider in the center of its web. This tried-and-true party game is, as always, as much fun for the player as it is for those watching while they wait their turn.

If you’re seeking a passive game that requires negligible prep work and no supervision whatsoever, the candy jar guessing game has got you covered. Commonly found at fairs and carnivals, this competition requires visual-spatial reasoning skills for a win. Fill a jar up with Halloween candy, put out a basket and some slips of paper, and by the end of the night, the child-genius of the bunch will have been identified. (Don’t worry, though—everyone else will be content to console themselves with candy corn in the end.)

A game that involves digging up human remains is decidedly sinister, but in this case still appropriate for kids of all ages. In fact, the little ones will enjoy this one especially since this activity provides a stimulating sensory experience that pairs well with the thrill of discovery. Best of all, this one can be adapted to the needs of your young guests: Keep it lowkey and leisurely for the toddler crowd or set up separate buckets and split young players into teams for a fast-paced competition for slightly bigger kids.

Only a few basic materials—rubber bands, craft sticks and a hot glue gun—are needed to engineer these candy catapults, but the novelty factor is big. Seriously, any game that involves launching stuff into the air is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Don’t believe us? Just try this one out and watch grown-up guests gather around like moths to the flame while the kids send stuff flying...hopefully not too far from the target.

The classic lawn game gets a festive twist thanks to the pumpkin and the spooky aesthetic that glow sticks provide—and let’s be honest, glow sticks have a special place in all of our hearts, right? The hardest part of setting this game up is finding a pumpkin with a substantial enough stem. (Hint: If the pickings are slim, you might want to plan ahead and pay a visit to a patch that allows you to cut your own from the vine.) Other than that, this party game is as low-maintenance as can be, and fun for all ages to boot.

Here, a rousing game of memory that kids can play as they wait for guests to arrive or, you know, once the roar of their raging sugar rush turns into more of a whisper (or whimper). Indeed, this one’s an all-around winner: Thoughtful and quiet, yet challenging enough to hold the attention of the not-so-easily entertained tweens in attendance. Plus, the attractive wooden design is one that will hold up for many Halloweens to come. 

Head outside for an action-packed party game that requires only edible provisions (popcorn) plus a scooped-out pumpkin. Stir-crazy kids can get their energy out running back and forth, carrying handfuls of popcorn from home base until they fill the gourd. This race can be enjoyed by as few as two young people, but bigger groups can team up for an even more exhilarating relay-style race.

Yep, that’s right—egg hunts aren’t just for springtime celebrations. A preliminary art project is necessary to make this party game a little more seasonally appropriate: Paint at least a dozen eggs and add some spooky touches to each before tucking them away in secret hiding spots throughout your home, The end result? A creepy egg hunt that’s guaranteed to please young party goers.

Beautiful imagery, brain teasers and a 3D board combine to bring both the classic I Spy game and the haunted house experience to life. This game is suitable for only two to four players, so it might not be an ideal Halloween party pick. Nevertheless, it’s a festive and entertaining way to spend family game night.

Treasure hunts are the bee’s knees, but the task can feel like a logistical nightmare at the end of a long day of party planning. Fortunately, you can spare yourself the hassle with this printable outdoor scavenger hunt: The readymade clues are replete with Halloween themes and the mission is certain to engage kids of all ages—and since it’s designed for the backyard, you won’t have to worry about them straying too far.

Popping balloons is to children what popping Champagne is to adults. This game consists of an inflated ‘pumpkin patch’ of candy-filled balloons and an open invitation to jump, stomp and body slam—whatever it takes to free the sweets. Pumpkin patch stomping boasts serious kid appeal and it’s also a great way to keep rambunctious kids from doing more serious damage indoors.

When kids are on the guest list, balloons may very well be the secret ingredient to a successful Halloween bash. Case in point, this exceedingly simple game that consists of keeping balloons up in the air for as long as possible. This winner will provide ample, active entertainment for tots and teens alike—and all you need to pull it off is a handful of white balloons and a Sharpie.

Summon your inner crafter and fashion this cardboard box monster to spook the kids...and keep them occupied, of course. Young guests will really get a kick out of pitching eyeballs into the mouth of the hungry beast. Try this one out as a come-and-go activity or an organized competition with a candy prize.

If you’re a parent who plans on hosting a Halloween party, check out this creepy-crawly cornhole toss. This one does double-duty as a holiday decoration and a yard game that kids will be eager to try their hand at.

Halloween: The special occasion when you take a break from telling the children in your life to stop wasting toilet paper and instead tell them to wrap themselves up in an entire roll of the stuff. Break the kids into teams and see which one can mummify their teammate first in this action-packed contest, Plus, this activity is much more savory than, say, toilet papering the house of a peer.

Beware the Spider’s Lair: One wrong move and an eight-legged insect might just tumble down and take you as its prey. This toilet paper obstacle course will inspire some seriously smooth moves. (Think Catherine Zeta-Jones’ laser-dodging gymnastics in Entrapment.) OK, maybe not—but even the clumsiest kid will have a blast and get a workout whilst attempting to navigate this web without doing damage to its delicate structure.

Scattergories is a family game night staple so its appearance as a Halloween party game makes a lot of sense. This printable version of the classic includes plenty of spooky, holiday prompts, all of which are family-friendly—just make a timer and some pencils available and you’re good to go.

At first glance, this printable game looks like Bingo, but the rules of play provide a lot in terms of intrigue. The premise of ‘Don’t Eat Pete’ is that one player goes in blind and starts pecking candies off the board, hoping to amass (or immediately eat) as many as possible before accidentally going for the square that was determined by the group to be...Pete! Funny and clever, this candy game dangles the proverbial carrot—prompting kids to read the poker faces in order to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Action-packed and competitive party games can easily go awry, especially when the young guests have stayed out past their bedtime and consumed a pound of candy. Fortunately, you can get the kid-crowd to wind down (while the grown-ups do the same) with a collaborative craft that guarantees a monster so ghastly, it’s guaranteed to inspire pride in every budding artist.

Bowling is undeniably wholesome and horribly entertaining for adults and children alike. Best of all, this extra Halloween-y set is made from durable, but blessedly soft foam—you know, so you don’t need to worry about what that frustrated toddler might do with a bowling ball in hand.

In case you missed it, this game is like slap jack, but with serious kid-appeal. As for the Halloween edition, it boasts the same fast-paced play, but with a few devilishly cute additions to the deck.

This candy hunt is a breeze thanks to a clever hack that involves (temporarily) turning the flashlight on your phone into a black light, and the festive ghosts can be made with nothing more than a Sharpie and white printer paper. Best of all, this game is just as fun without the candy—you know, in case you want your kid to hold off until it’s time to trick or treat.

Toilet paper tubes can be transformed into a tiny mummy piñata with little more than crepe paper and googly eyes. (Who knew?) The process is incredibly easy, too, so feel free to make more than one. You can string these guys up for a Halloween party activity, or simply send each guest home with one as a festive replacement for a goody bag—either way the reward will be sweet.

Here, a murder mystery game that draws inspiration from two Halloween cult classics—the Rocky Horror Picture Show and Little Shop of Horrors. Bust this one out for family game night with teenage kids or at an adult party. (Hint: It’s like Clue, but better.)

A sensory activity with a spooky twist, this Halloween game will make kids squeal with horror and excitement as they pass around (and sink their hands into) bowls of ‘body parts.’ Best of all, a quick raid of your kitchen is all that’s required to procure most, if not all, of the materials.

Grab some craft sticks, magnets and a Sharpie and then score the free printable for this simple paper plate project. The finished product—a toy that little kids can play with in pairs—is like a game of cat and mouse, only creepier.

Forget about Xs and Os. Here, candy corn is an edible playing piece that’s just right for the travel-sized printable board. The end result? A festive twist on a classic game that promises to keep kids entertained when the Halloween party winds down.

OK, this two-dimensional spin on standard dominoes might not have the same sensory appeal as those oh-so satisfying wooden blocks. Still, the game is every bit as fun as you remember and the Halloween-themed characters on this printable set are darn cute to boot.

Banish buyer’s remorse and put that giant bag of candy corn you put in your shopping cart to good use with this fast-paced competition, which consists of transferring as many pieces of candy corn as you can onto a paper plate in 60 seconds. The catch? You’ve gotta do it with a straw.

Get ye to the dollar store stat for a plastic skeleton—the only prop you need to pull off this easy and entertaining scavenger hunt. Bonus: Once all the bones have been found, your kid will have just as much fun putting the skeleton back together again. It’s a treasure hunt and puzzle one-two punch.

Attention DIYers: This glow in the dark board game is as much fun to make as it is to play. A game board kit will give you a leg up (unless you’re feeling ambitious) and when your project is ready for action, you won’t even mind letting your kid take you down. After all, you made your own board game, so you’re already winning.

Put the Halloween candy excess to good use with a classic game of memory that involves pairs of fun-sized favorites hidden under witch hats. It’s a brain-boosting twist on trick-or-treating that kids of all ages will enjoy.

Lean into the creepy side of the holiday with a sensory game in which kids don a blindfold and dig through bowls of slimy, cold spaghetti to find a very different sort of meatball. Let’s just say, the novelty factor is high and the play is truly hands-on.

Young witches and wizards can grab a broom and get in on the fun in this relay-style game that requires players to compete to be the first to sweep a seasonal gourd across the finish line. It isn’t quidditch, but it’s also not half bad for a game where both feet stay on the ground.

Let kids work on those balancing skills with this Halloween twist on a classic—see who can balance the eyeball on the spoon and walk (or run!) the farthest without dropping the "eyeball". 

You’ll love how easy this bean bag toss set is to assemble and store away (it collapses), while little goblins and ghouls will love trying to throw the bags into the spooky-themed holes.