Halloween Party Games

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

Halloween games for teenagers

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

Halloween games for adults

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

Prizes people actually want

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

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.