Halloween party games for adults and kids

Games are what people remember about a Halloween party, and the good ones need almost nothing: a bowl, some string, a bin bag and a bit of nerve.

They're grouped below by who's playing, because a game that works for six-year-olds will empty a room of adults, and the other way round. Each one says what you need and how long it runs.

Space four games across the evening rather than running them back to back — the gaps are when people actually talk.

Halloween games for kids

• Apple bobbing — a washing-up bowl, water, apples, towels on standby. Shop this card
• Doughnuts on strings, hands behind backs. Messiest, funniest, five minutes. Shop this card
• Mummy wrap: teams of two and a cheap toilet roll each. Shop this card
• Pin the spider on the web — draw it on the back of wrapping paper. Shop this card
• Feel the guts: peeled grapes and cold spaghetti in covered bowls. Shop this card
• Musical monsters — musical statues, but you have to freeze as a monster. Shop this card
• Pumpkin bowling with a small pumpkin and six plastic bottles. Shop this card
• Torch treasure hunt with the lights off and sweets hidden round one room. Shop this card

Halloween games for teenagers

• Horror film emoji quiz — twenty rounds, printed, done in ten minutes. Shop this card
• Wink murder in the dark with a torch. Shop this card
• Guess the scream: play clips, they name the film. Shop this card
• Costume charades, acting out each other's outfits. Shop this card
• Two truths and a scare: one real creepy story, two invented. Shop this card
• Sweet stack — build the tallest tower from the trick-or-treat bowl. Shop this card

Halloween games for adults

• Murder mystery: buy a kit, it runs the whole evening for you. Shop this card
• Costume competition with a genuine prize and a proper announcement. Shop this card
• Horror film quiz, teams of four, one music round. Shop this card
• Never have I ever, Halloween edition — worst costume, worst party, worst date. Shop this card
• Blind taste test of five orange things. Shop this card
• Whodunnit charades with famous horror villains. Shop this card
• The name game with a monster taped to each forehead. Shop this card
• Beer pong with black cups, if the party's going that way. Shop this card

Prizes people actually want

• A pin badge for best costume — cheap, and they wear it all night. Shop this card
• The last slice of cake, awarded ceremonially. Shop this card
• A bottle of something for the adult winner. Shop this card
• A party bag of sweets for kids, same bag for everyone to avoid tears. Shop this card
• A daft certificate for worst costume. Shop this card

Banners and cake toppers

The two things that do most of the work in a party photo.

Confetti and table bits

Cheap, quick and posted from the UK.

Halloween and birthday cards

Printed in the UK and blank inside, so the message is yours.

Where to shop next

• Halloween party ideas
• Halloween party games
• Halloween party ideas for adults
• Kids' Halloween party ideas
• Halloween birthday cards
• Halloween card messages
• Buy Halloween cards
• Halloween cards
• Party supplies
• Buy party supplies
• Birthday cards
• Birthday party ideas
• Bonfire Night
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Gifts to make someone smile
• Thinking of you gifts

Frequently asked questions

What are the best Halloween party games?

Apple bobbing and doughnuts on strings for children, murder mystery and a horror film quiz for adults. All four need almost no kit and run for as long as you want them to.

What Halloween games can you play with no equipment?

Wink murder, costume charades, never have I ever and the name game with a monster on each forehead. Paper and a pen covers the lot.

How many games should a Halloween party have?

Four is the sweet spot for a three-hour party: one icebreaker early, one before food, the big one after, and something short at the end while the cake is cut.

What are good Halloween party games for adults?

A murder mystery kit does the whole evening, and a horror film quiz in teams of four gets people talking to strangers. Add a costume competition with a real prize.