Classic Halloween Games for Kids (That Never Go Out of Style)

Before Halloween turned into a month-long costume competition and candy haul, it was the simple games that made the night magical. The smell of toffee apples and fireworks in the air, the sound of giggling kids wrapped in toilet paper, and that one person who always cheated at apple bobbing — pure gold.

So if you’re planning a Halloween party or just want to recreate a bit of old-school fun at home, here are some classic games that still bring big laughs (and a little friendly chaos).

🍎 Bobbing for Apples

The original Halloween challenge. Fill a basin with cold water, toss in a few apples, and get the kids to grab one — without using their hands. It’s harder (and funnier) than it looks.

💡 Tip: If you’d rather skip the wet hair, try the “hanging apples” version — dangle them from strings and let the fun begin.

🇮🇪 Snap Apple (The Irish Classic)

Before “bobbing for apples” took over, Snap Apple was the traditional Irish Halloween game. The idea’s simple — hang apples (or donuts for a modern twist) from strings, and players must try to take a bite with their hands behind their backs.

🧻 The Mummy Wrap

Grab a few rolls of toilet paper and split into teams. One person stands still while the others race to wrap them head-to-toe like a spooky mummy. The first team to finish (without tearing too much paper) wins — though half the fun is watching the chaos unfold.

🎳 Pumpkin Bowling

Got a few empty bottles and a small pumpkin? You’ve got yourself a bowling alley. Set up the bottles like pins, roll the pumpkin, and see who can knock the most down.

Tip: Paint the bottles like ghosts or monsters for an extra Halloween touch.

🧙‍♀️ Pin the Nose on the Witch

A Halloween twist on the old “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” game. Draw or print a witch’s face, blindfold the kids, and see who can pin the paper nose in the right spot.

Closest one wins — though the sideways noses always get the biggest laughs.

👻 Guess What’s in the Box

This one’s a little spooky — and totally hilarious.

Fill boxes or bowls with mystery “body parts” — peeled grapes for eyeballs, cold spaghetti for worms, jelly for brains. Blindfold the kids and let them feel their way through. Their reactions? Absolutely priceless!

🕵️‍♂️ Ghost Hunt

Hide little paper or balloon ghosts around the garden or living room and send the kids on a ghost hunt. Each ghost can have a small prize attached — sweets, stickers, or glow sticks. Simple setup, big fun.

🎯 Pumpkin Toss

Cut a large pumpkin face out of cardboard and carve holes for the eyes and mouth. Give each player a few beanbags (or rolled-up socks) and see who can score the most points by landing them through the holes.

It’s like a Halloween carnival game — without the queues.

💡 Make It Extra Spooky

Turn down the lights, play a Halloween playlist (think “Monster Mash” and “Ghostbusters”), and throw in some simple prizes — sweets, glow bracelets, or even “Best Mummy” awards. It doesn’t take much to turn your sitting room into a mini haunted house.

Halloween doesn’t need fancy props or expensive decorations to be memorable. Sometimes all it takes is a few apples, some imagination, and a bit of laughter. So this year, bring back the old-school fun — and watch the kids (and adults) make memories worth howling about.

Slán go fóill.