Got Fright? Kids' Halloween Party Ideas

There's no better way to celebrate Halloween than throwing a party for your children and their friends! But how will you keep them busy? Try some of these classic Halloween party games - or invent a few of your own! These are great ideas for classroom use as well.

Wrap the Mummy
Divide the children into groups of three to five kids. Select one child in each group to be a mummy. Then give the other children a roll of toilet paper or crepe paper. Have them wrap the mummy with the paper, leaving the eyes, nose and mouth uncovered. The first group to finish (using the entire roll of paper) wins.

Pass the Pumpkin
This game is very similar to "hot potato". Have the kids sit on the floor in a circle. Give them a small pumpkin to pass around. Play Halloween music as they pass the pumpkin. Stop the music at irregular intervals, and whoever is holding the pumpkin is out. The game continues until one person is left with the pumpkin.

Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin
Make a large cardboard pumpkin and secure it to a wall. Taking turns, blindfold each child and give them a cutout shape of a nose, prepared with double-side tape on the back. Spin the blindfolded child three times, then have them try to pin the nose on the pumpkin.

Pumpkin Penny Toss
Carve out a large pumpkin, leaving a wide opening at the top (or use a plastic pumpkin). Give each child a handful of pennies. Have them stand an appropriate distance from the pumpkin and try to toss the pennies in, one at a time. For each penny that makes it in, give the child a piece of Halloween candy or other small treat.

Ghost Waiter
Prior to the party, set up a simple obstacle course. Divide the children into two or three teams. Taking turns, each child has to balance a balloon on a paper plate while walking it down the obstacle course and back to their team. (Have one child from each team begin at the same time). The first team to have all members complete the obstacle course wins.

Get your child's Halloween party started (at home or at school) with these classic games – and get ready for everyone involved to have a howling good time!