If you're planning a Halloween party for the kids you know that keeping them entertained can require you to have a spell book full of magic tricks. Well, let me tell you, games are always a great way to keep them from getting bored.
Here is the best collection of Halloween party games (for grade school aged kids, anyway...) on or off the Internet. (Pretty easy and not too expensive!)
These party games are kid-tested, and you can use these Halloween party games for other events, too. Use your imagination, and just have fun! Check these out.....
For prizes, I suggest penny candy and party favors (Like you'd find in bulk at the Party Supply stores), so you can give out lots of prizes. Try to make sure every kid wins a few pieces. After all, the object is to have fun, not compete against one another.
The "Name Game"
This is a warm-up, get to know you game for kids through adults.
All you need is:
3x 5 cards
Marking Pen(medium or wide point)
Safety Pins
Before the party, print neatly the name of a person or character associated with Halloween onto a 3x5 card.
Use a different name on each card.
Make up enough cards for more than each person invited to the party, especially for kids. This can be such a fun game, that party participants often want to play it more than once.
Upon arriving, use a safety pin to put one card on each guests' back. Do not tell them who is on the card.
Game Objective: To guess who "you" are, the name on your back.
Rules:
You can ask only one question of a guest, before moving to another guest to ask a question.
Only "Yes" and "No" answers can be given.
Laughing, facial expressions, etc are certainly allowed.
Look for questions which will quickly narrow the quest such as:
Am I a male(or female)?
Am I a real person(versus fictional character)?
If a guest guesses too quickly, give them another name tag.
Ghost-Centration:
Object of Game: To guess pairs of hidden objects. Like the "Concentration " game.
Preparation:
Take twelve post-it notes.
Using a crayon or marker, number each post -it note from one to twelve on the front, non-sticky side.
On the other side, put on two cards each the words: Ghost, Pumpkin, Witches, Goblins, Treats and scarecrows. Make sure each pair not in numerical order.
You can make up any pairs of names you want.
Put the post-its on a wall in two or three rows in numerical order.
Playing the Game:
Each player takes a turn asking for two numbers to be turned over.
If there is a match, the player wins a piece of candy.
The play goes on to the next player whether or not a match is made.
Tip: For older "kids", use more than twelve post-it notes.
Pumpkin Golf:
Object of Game: Hit the golf ball into a pumpkin.
Preparation:
Carve out a pumpkin. Make the mouth extra large.
Build a cardboard ramp about one to two feet side from the ground to the bottom of the pumpkin's mouth.
You will probably need some support under the cardboard.
Tape the ramp to the floor for stability.
Mark a starting point a few feet from the start of the ramp. The older the kids, the farther away.
Playing the Game:
Each player gets to hit a golf ball three times.
Each time the ball goes into the pumpkin, the player wins a piece of candy.
Pumpkin Bowling:
Object of Game: Knock over the bowling pins. Make a strike or a spare.
Preparation:
Select several small pumpkins about four to six inches in diameter. You need extras in case a few split or break.
Place plastic (children's set) of bowling pins several feet away on the lawn or floor of the room.
A great alternative to bowling pins are plastic liter bottles. Let the kids decorate them with Halloween objects before the game.
Playing the Game:
Measure off several feet.
Give each child two tries to knock down the pins.
A strike is worth two pieces of candy.
A spare is worth one piece of candy.
Pumpkin Penny Pitch:
Object of Game: To pitch a penny into a pumpkin.
Preparation:
Method #1: Carve out a pumpkin (or two,or three) and line the inside with plastic or aluminum foil.
Make the top opening big.
Method: #2: Use several small plastic pumpkins(Less messy)
Playing the Game:
Place the pumpkins a couple feet away.
Give each player ten to twenty pennies.
Every time a penny goes into the pumpkin, a piece of candy is won.
Pumpkin Ring Toss:
Object of Game: To toss a ring around a pumpkin.
Preparation:
Carve out a one to three pumpkins.
Buy or make three or four rings about twice as big around as the pumpkins.
If you don't know what to use, try an extra piece of leftover electrical cable and tape together with duct tape. (Scouts use this as a "Reduce, re-use and re-cycle" project)
Playing the Game:
Measure back several feet, depending on age group.
Give the rings to the player.
A piece of candy (or two) is awarded for ringing the pumpkin.
You can award one piece of candy for a partial ring and two if the ring is completely around.
Tic-Tac Ghost:
Object of Game: Get three O's or X's.
Preparation:
Use a "Toss Across" game.
Tape pieces of candy or small prizes on some of the O's and X's.
You can use a paper note stating the prize. Sometimes the prizes are too big to put on the game.
Playing the Game:
Each player gets five or six bean bags.
Toss the bean bags at the game. There are two ways to win.
Win a prize by getting three O's or X's.
If the player turns over a prize, they win that prize.
I'm pretty sure having these party games in your bag of tricks will be a big hit. Remember when putting together a kid's party, it's all about fun... but it sure doesn't hurt to have a few tricks up your sleeve!
