Halloween is a spooky and exciting time for kids of all ages! It’s when they get to put on their scariest or silliest costumes, eat heaps of candy, and go trick-or-treating. But there's so much more to Halloween than these traditional activities we all know and love!
We’ve compiled a list of 20 delightfully eerie Halloween activities for kids! Whether they prefer indoor or outdoor fun or like to get creative, we’ve got something for everyone.
Get ready to have a ghostly good time with your kids this Halloween!
Make DIY Spooky Crafts
Crafting your own spooky Halloween decorations with your kids can be a fantastic way to get into the Halloween spirit.
You can make ghostly balloon decorations with eerie faces, pinecone spiders with googly eyes, or menacing faces in pumpkins. These Halloween DIY crafts for kids offer endless opportunities for creative expression for your kids and you can use their craft to add a ghoulish touch to your Halloween décor.
If you’re looking for a convenient and mess-free craft kit your kids can enjoy on Halloween, check out Purple Ladybug’s Wax Craft Sticks! Your kids can use the colorful wax sticks to build 3D creations or lay them flat to make 2D artwork. They can make pumpkins, skulls, ghost faces, and more!
Halloween Face Painting
Halloween face painting is a fun way for your kids to become their favorite spooky characters like ghoulish zombies, wicked witches, or fearsome vampires!
Purple Ladybug’s Hair Chalk & Glitter Style Set is a two-in-one kit your kids can safely use on their hair and faces. Your kids can create whatever fun looks their imagination dreams! This hair chalk and face paint kit is safe, non-toxic, and washed off easily with soap and shampoo.
Here are some Halloween face paint ideas for your kids!
Tell Ghost Stories by the Campfire
Gather the kids around the campfire and share ghost stories!
In the flickering firelight, take turns telling spooky tales that send shivers down your spine. Don’t forget to bring marshmallows to toast for delicious s’mores as you listen to these thrilling stories.
Sharing ghost stories by the campfire lets your kids have a spooky-good time outdoors and enjoy the warm fire and cool breeze. So, gather ‘round and let the ghostly tales begin!
Color Halloween-Themed Printables
Coloring Halloween-themed printables is a simple and engaging way to keep kids entertained, improve their motor skills, and ignite their imagination. Your kids can use their finished colorful artwork as festive decorations or personalized Halloween cards.
We have just a special treat for you – FREE Halloween printables! All TREATS, no TRICKS! This Halloween printable has 30 pages of Halloween-themed activities, including mazes, games, coloring pages, and more! Your kids can choose their favorite pages or print them all.
Make this Halloween season more colorful and fun!
Binge-Watch Halloween Movies
Enjoy a Halloween movie marathon with your kids! Don't forget to check the movies to make sure they’re not too scary for your kids.
Little ones can enjoy classics like Casper, Hotel Transylvania, and The Addams Family. Slightly older kids might like Hocus Pocus, Coraline, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Grab some Halloween snacks, get comfy with blankets, and have a fantastic movie night together! It’s an excellent way for families to bond, laugh, and share the Halloween spirit!
Make Your Own Costumes
Get your kids in on the Halloween fun by helping them make their own costumes!
Start by talking about what your kiddo would like to be for Halloween and gather the materials you’ll need. Depending on their age, they can join in with cutting, gluing, and decorating the costume with your assistance. You can use old clothes, cardboard, and craft supplies to create unique and imaginative outfits.
Making their own costumes is not only budget-friendly but also gives your children a sense of pride in their one-of-a-kind Halloween look. It’s a great way to bond as a family, encourage creativity, and prepare for Halloween!
Hold a Costume Parade
Host a mini costume parade right at home for your kids.
Gather all family members to for this Halloween costume parade so everyone gets to show off their spooky or creative outfits. Don’t forget to have your camera ready to snap pictures of these memorable moments!
This costume parade can become a lovely family tradition, bringing everyone together during this spooky season!
Scary Science Experiment
Halloween-themed experiments can be a fantastic way to blend education with spooky fun. With a range of simple, safe, and eerie experiments, kids can learn more about science in a fun and engaging way.
Here are a few ideas for Halloween-themed experiments:
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Foaming Potion
Make a bubbling witch’s brew by mixing vinegar, baking soda, and food coloring to see a cool chemical reaction. -
Glow-in-the-Dark Slime
Make slime that glows in the dark using glow paint or sticks to explore luminescence. -
Ghost Balloons
Make balloons float like ghosts by using baking soda and vinegar, learning about gasses. -
Candy Experiments
Learn about density and solubility by experimenting with Halloween candy like floating Candy Corn Density or Dissolving Peeps. -
Exploding Pumpkins
Carve a pumpkin and add a baking soda-vinegar mix for a fun eruption, teaching kids about acids and bases.
Pumpkin Carving or Decorating
Pumpkin decorating is generally a safer option for kids than pumpkin carving. Pumpkin carving uses sharp knives, which can be dangerous for children of any age. Even if a child is old enough to handle a knife safely, it’s important to supervise them closely while they carve.
On the other hand, pumpkin decorating allows kids to get creative with markers, stickers, paint, and craft supplies to give their pumpkins a spooky or funny makeover without using sharp tools.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Visiting a pumpkin patch is a classic Halloween activity you shouldn’t skip. There’s nothing quite like walking through a field of pumpkins, picking out the perfect one, and carving or decorating it into a jack-o’-lantern.
Many pumpkin patches offer fun activities, like hayrides, corn mazes, and pony rides. Some even have live animals or a petting zoo!
If you plan to visit the pumpkin patch, wear comfortable shoes and clothing and bring a wagon for your pumpkins, sunscreen, hats, water, and snacks for everyone.
Do a Halloween Scavenger Hunt
Organizing a Halloween scavenger hunt for your kids is a great way to get them moving and excited for the holiday.
Create a list of Halloween-themed items for them to find, like spooky decorations, costumes, or treats, and hide them around your house. Your kids can look for these items alone or in teams, using clues to help them.
You can also add a spooky touch with fake spider webs, eerie music, or dim lighting for extra thrill. Halloween scavenger hunts are a thrilling activity that will get them excited about Halloween!
Bake Halloween Treats
Baking Halloween treats can be a scrumptious and creative way to celebrate the season.
You and your kids can bake cookies in fun Halloween shapes like ghosts, pumpkins, skeletons, or bats. Once the cookies are baked and cooled, let your kids unleash their artistic side by decorating them with colorful icing.
It’s a fun and delicious activity that allows your kids to express their creativity and enjoy tasty Halloween treats. Plus, these homemade goodies are perfect for sharing with friends and family!
Here’s a list of Halloween treats to make with your kids.
Visit a Haunted House
Taking your kids to a haunted house is a thrilling way to celebrate Halloween.
These haunted attractions offer different levels of spookiness, so you can choose one that’s just right for your kid’s age and comfort. As you go through dimly lit corridors and encounter spooky surprises, it’s an opportunity to create fun memories.
Check the haunted house’s age guidelines to ensure a safe and fun experience. Whether you’re exploring a haunted mansion or a spooky hayride, the excitement will make for an unforgettable Halloween adventure with your kids.
Make a Halloween-Themed Sensory Bin
A Halloween-sensory bin is a great hands-on activity for kids, and it’s really easy to make!
Start with a large container and fill it with sensory materials like black beans, orange rice, or pumpkin seeds. Add various Halloween-themed items, such as plastic spiders, miniature pumpkins, rubber bats, and ghostly figures.
Let your kids explore different textures and shapes with their hands, fostering tactile and sensory experiences. This activity encourages imaginative play and learning as they discover the hidden treasures within the bin.
Here are a few easy Halloween-themed sensory bins for your kids.
Pop Pumpkins
Have you ever tried popping pumpkins before?
Get some orange balloons so they resemble pumpkins. Hide surprises inside the balloons, like candy, small toys, or Halloween-themed trinkets. Blow up the balloons and add a green ribbon or construction paper stem to complete the pumpkin look.
Your kids can pop the balloons to find the surprises inside. It’s a thrilling and enjoyable way to celebrate Halloween with a little suspense and excitement. Keep an eye on younger kids to make sure they have a safe and fun time.
Host a Glow-in-the-Dark Halloween Party
Hosting a glow-in-the-dark Halloween party is a creative and unforgettable way to embrace this spooky season.
To kick off this luminescent celebration, send out invitations that feature glow-in-the-dark elements, encouraging guests to wear neon or glow-in-the-dark wall decals. Make your party space glow with black lights, glow sticks, and glow-in-the-dark stickers.
Play games like ring toss and scavenger hunts with glow-in-the-dark clues, hold a costume contest, and keep the party going with fun music and dancing.
It’s a Halloween bash they won’t forget!
“Spook” Your Neighbors
“Spooking” your neighbors is a kind-hearted Halloween tradition. Prepare goodie baskets filled with delicious candy and drop them off on your neighbor’s doorsteps. Include a spooky note to add a bit of Halloween charm.
This surprise treat will bring smiles and a sense of community to your neighborhood, making it one of the best ways to celebrate the season and spread the Halloween spirit.
Go Trick-or-Treating
We can’t do a Halloween roundup without trick-or-treating!
Going trick-or-treating is a favorite Halloween tradition for many families, but it’s important to stay safe while doing so. Here are a few tips to remember:
- Look both ways before crossing the street.
- Stay in well-lit areas.
- Don’t eat candy until it’s inspected at home. Throw away candy that looks suspicious or not in a sealed wrapper.
- Stay with your group and don’t wander off alone.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
Halloween is just around the corner, so it’s time to start planning some spooktacularly fun Halloween activities for kids! From classic crafts like pumpkin carving and costume making to costume parades and scary science experiments – there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
