15 spook-tacular ideas for celebrating Halloween at home

Make this year’s Halloween the best ever yet with our list of everything you need for a frightfully good Hallows’ Eve that all the family can enjoy.

From food and games, to decorations and activities, we share 15 ideas for a fang-tastic Halloween that you’ll never forget...

1. Decorate the house

If you want to transform your home into a Haunted House with the help of the kids - here are some great ideas for homemade Halloween decorations...

2. Prepare some scary snacks

Whip up some ghoulishly good Halloween treats to keep the kids’ energy levels high. From scary cupcakes to devilish dinners, there’s something for everyone to get their (vampire) teeth into.

3. Play a Halloween game

From ‘Witches hat ring toss’ to ‘Pin the spider on the web’, put your own spooky spin on classic party games to make this year the best Halloween ever.

4. Halloween crazy golf

If you have older kids then traditional party games might not cut the mustard. Instead carve holes in fake pumpkins, dot them round your garden and ‘voila’ you have Pumpkin Golf – an instant hit (and new Halloween family tradition) on your hands.

5. Watch a family-friendly spooky film

Okay, so watching Jamie Lee Curtis in 'Halloween' is definitely out of the question when it comes to sitting down with the children, but there are heaps of family-friendly Halloween movies that you can cuddle up under a blanket on the sofa together and enjoy. Plus that’s 90-120 minutes of bonus quiet time for you… and relax!

6. Go on a Halloween themed scavenger hunt

If the thought of staying indoors sends shivers down your spine, then why not head out for a Halloween-inspired scavenger hunt in your very own neighbourhood? Download a free printable Halloween scavenger hunt card and see how many items you can spot in your neighbours’ front gardens and windows.

7. Carve a pumpkin

Make a day of it by visiting your local Pick Your Own and let your little ones choose their very own pumpkins to carve. Once back home, if you have a toddler who gets easily bored, give them an extra pumpkin to paint while you carve out their design - here are some easy pumpkin-carving ideas for inspiration.

8. Dance to your favourite Halloween tunes

Chuck on a Halloween playlist featuring all your favourite scary songs and host a dance party in your own living room. From ‘Thriller’ and ‘Ghostbusters’, to ‘Monster Mash’ and ‘Time Warp’, there are plenty of tunes to get both kids and adults on their feet… plus, it all counts towards your 10,000 daily step count too!

9. Get crafty

Keep the kids entertained for hours with these kid-friendly Halloween crafts. From handprint spiders to Day of the Dead rock painting, there’s something for all ages.

10. Dress up

No Halloween is complete without a spooky costume and face-paint. If you’re looking for new ideas that won’t break the bank, check out our popular blog: 'Top 30 Toddler Halloween Costume Ideas'.

11. Read a spooky story together

There are so many fantastic stories to pick from that take young readers on a magical journey of the spooky and extraordinary. We remember reading the classic Funnybones series of books with our parents, and now we’re loving reading them to our little ones too.

12. Make ghost slime

‘I love slime’ – said no parent ever! But kids love it and it’s a great way for them to use their imaginations and create their very own ghouls… you may however wish to keep it confined to the garden! Here's a recipe if you're a brave first-timer and haven't done it before!

13. Toilet paper mummies

Let the kids cover you in toilet paper for the complete mummification experience. And once they’re done, you can get your revenge by covering them head-to-toe too!

14. Shadow puppet play

Turn down the lights and make your own shadow puppet theatre with a spare cardboard box, tissue paper and torch. Re-enact your kids’ favourite nursery rhymes or just wing-it and make up a scary story as you go!

15. Bob for apples

And finally, an oldie but a goodie. Not only is it quick, simple and cheap to set up but your kids will also get 1 of their 5 a day! Making it not only fun, but nutritious too!

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