10 Spooktacular Ways To Celebrate Halloween Season
Celebrate Halloween all of October with 10 fun, kid-friendly activities! From pumpkin decorating to spooky science experiments, these ideas are perfect for families with children aged 5–12.
Halloween Countdown Calendar
Make the entire month of October feel like Halloween with a countdown calendar! Create a calendar with 31 slots, revealing a small Halloween-themed treat or activity each day. It could be a piece of candy, a spooky riddle, a mini-craft, or a fun task like telling a ghost story.
Mummy Mason Jar Lanterns
Create spooky mummy lanterns by wrapping mason jars in gauze or medical bandages and gluing on googly eyes. Place battery-operated candles or glow sticks inside the jars to create a glowing mummy effect. These DIY lanterns make for a cute Halloween nightlight or an outdoor decoration on your porch.
Haunted House Decorating
Turn your home or yard into a "haunted house" with spooky decorations made by the kids. Let them help create DIY ghost decorations, fake spider webs, paper bats, and other creepy crafts. Add some kid-friendly spooky sound effects, and invite friends or family for a mini haunted house tour.
Halloween-Themed Storytelling Night
Once a week in October, host a storytelling night where everyone takes turns telling spooky (but age-appropriate) stories. Use a flashlight for added effect, or sit outside around a fire pit if you have one. You can even let the kids create their own ghost stories or retell some fun, classic ones.
Halloween Baking Extravaganza
Set aside a day to bake Halloween-themed treats with your kids, like spider cupcakes, mummy brownies, or pumpkin-shaped cookies. Get creative with icing, candy, and sprinkles to make the baked goods as spooky or silly as possible. It's a fun and delicious way to celebrate Halloween.
Spooky Science Experiments
Incorporate some science fun with Halloween-themed experiments! You can make "witch’s brew" by creating a baking soda and vinegar volcano, or create oozing "slime monsters" using basic slime ingredients. These experiments are entertaining, a little spooky, and a great learning opportunity!
Trick-or-Treat Practice Parade
Host a practice "trick-or-treat" parade with costumes a week or two before Halloween. Invite friends or neighbors (keeping social distance if needed) for a fun costume walk where kids can show off their outfits and pick up a treat or two along the way. It’s a great way to build excitement leading up to the big day.
Halloween Craft Stations
Set up various Halloween craft stations around your home for an afternoon of creativity. Stations could include pumpkin painting, making paper plate masks, creating spooky bookmarks, or designing Halloween cards to send to family. Let kids rotate between the stations for nonstop fun.
Jack-O’-Lantern Decorating
Instead of just carving pumpkins, make it a full event by having a pumpkin decorating party. You can carve, paint, or use stickers to create silly or spooky Jack-O’-Lanterns. To add extra fun, hold a mini contest for the "silliest," "spookiest," or "most creative" pumpkin.
Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Bowling
Turn a simple bowling game into a spooky glow-in-the-dark activity! Create "ghost" bowling pins by filling empty plastic bottles with glow sticks and painting ghost faces on them. Use a small pumpkin or soft ball as the bowling ball. Turn off the lights and let the kids have a blast knocking down the glowing ghost pins in this fun, family-friendly game.
As the Halloween season unfolds, these fun and creative activities are sure to fill your October with excitement and memorable moments. Whether you're crafting, baking, or enjoying spooky games, there's something here for every family to enjoy. Happy Halloween!
