When I was a kid (approx. the year 1842), my parents always played games with my brothers and I on Hallowe’en night – games that certain hip, modern-technology-savvy folk now refer to as ‘retro’. Pardon me while I sign up for a zimmer frame..
I say, let’s keep the tradition alive. It would be SO easy to pop Hocus Pocus, Scooby Doo or Scared Shrekless (hilarious btw) on the TV and let the kids stuff themselves to the gills with jelly fingers and sugary eyeballs. But real memories are made of getting together, playing games and having fun as a family. So set aside an hour for a couple of games on Hallowe’en night and your kids will remember them forever.
Here are some great ideas to get you started:
1. Pin the Boo on the ghost
All you need is double-sided sellotape for the ‘boo’, and a witch’s hat to cover the kid’s eyes while they try to put the Boo on the right spot. They’ll never get it, and the look on their faces when they look to see where it landed is actually too funny.
2. Donut Chomp
A variation on the ‘Bite the apple’ game, this is a bit more suitable for small kids. Hang ring donuts with some string or wool from the ceiling, put their hands behind their backs and watch them go!
3. Halloween bingo
The bingo caller is in charge of calling ‘Witch’s hat!’, ‘Cat!’, ‘Pumpkin!’ etc; and the players can either mark them off with crayons or sweets (guess what your kids will choose if you give them an option!)
4. Pumpkin toss
I love these kinds of games because the competitive nature of it means it will keep your kids entertained for a good half an hour at least. You can use anything to throw: plastic balls, small oranges, lego blocks, tennis balls etc. Each player starts with 5 items to throw and takes turns trying to get as many into the pumpkins as possible.
5. Halloween mystery boxes
This is my absolute favourite. Grab some plastic containers, cut a hole in the lids for hands to reach through, and fill them with the gooiest food items you can find. Your players have to guess what they are touching. Cold spaghetti = hair/brains/intestines. Peeled grapes = eyeballs. Corn kernels = witch’s teeth. Sliced bananas = witch’s tongue. The list is endless!
6. Bobbing for apples
An oldie but a goodie. Get a basin or a bucket of water, some apples and get the kids to try to grab them out without using their hands. Supervise at all times for obvious reasons!
7. Toilet paper mummy
This game is so much fun for kids, especially if they get to ‘mummify’ mum or dad. Set a timer for 3 minutes, hand over the loo roll and let them get to work! Don’t forget to advise them not to wrap over eyes and mouths.
8. Find the ring in the barm brack.
There is nothing, I repeat, nothing more old school than this. Do it ;o)
Got any other Hallowe’en games ideas for kids, I’d love to hear them! Why not email them in to me at sharyn.hayden@HerFamily.ie
