Halloween is a tremendously fun time for children to dress up, make crafts and generally enjoy the spookiness and silliness of the occasion. By their nature, children love the absurd – and there’s a lot of crossover into the absurd on Halloween! Ghosts, goblins, Zombies, Werewolves and Vampires can always be relied upon to make an appearance to the delight – and occasionally terror – of the children. There’s a balance to be struck; we don’t want things to be too spooky for them, but there are many fun things we can do that will celebrate the occasion. I’ve asked one of my friends – Chloe at ‘It’s Written on the Walls’ to contribute her favorite Halloween game for your class to enjoy this spooky season as well. I’ve included her selection at the end. I’ll start with a few classics that I have found the children like, too – have a frightfully fun time!

1. Pin the Face on the Jack-o’-Lantern

Get a large orange circle and then using pin the tail on the donkey rules have the children put the face on the Jack-o’-lantern Alternatively you can play pin the stem on the Jack-o’-lantern

2. Pumpkins in the Patch

Get several pieces of green paper. Label the paper one through ten. Then cut out pumpkins. Let your children place the correct number of pumpkins in the pumpkin patch.

3. Match the Character

Cut out several different Halloween figures (jack-o’-lantern, witch, ghost, cat, etc.). Then mix them all up and let your children sort them.

4. Create the Spider’s Web

This is a Halloween game that works especially well if you have parents visiting for a Halloween party; they get to help the children avoid getting tangled in knots! The children sit in a large circle, with one adult sitting next to each child to assist them. Take a large ball of yarn, ask a parent to hold one end and have their child throw the ball across the circle to another child. Repeat the process, continuing to throw the yarn back and forth, until a large spider web is created in the middle. Place a large paper spider in the center (which you could have made earlier with the children) and try to lift up the web without the spider falling off. The children love this game and it’s a great way for the parents to get involved, too.

5. Pass The Pumpkin

Sit in a circle. Provide a plastic pumpkin for children to pass while the teacher beats on a drum. Children pass the pumpkin to the tempo of the music. Alternate between slow and fast. When the music stops the child who has the pumpkin stands and takes a bow. Continue process.

6. Spook-E-Do

Tell the children that each one of them will have a chance to show the others in the group a trick. Call on a child and lead the group to chant:

Hello, (Child’s Name), Spook-E-Doo What is the trick you are going to do? Will you hop, or bend, or spin around? Stretch, or wiggle, or touch the ground?

Continue until all the children have had a chance to show their trick.

7. Sweet Halloween Matching Game with Hershey Kiss Game Pieces

(Courtesy of ‘It’s Written on the Wall’) Just line up the Hershey Kisses and let the kids take turns turning over the playing pieces until they get a match….or just play by the regular matching game rules. The difference here is that when the game is over they get to eat the playing pieces. We used the Halloween themed Hershey Kisses candy (Chocolate Hershey Kisses). You could also use Rolos candy if you like. Kids just love it! You can see photos and view the final product at the ‘It’s Written on the Wall’ blog.

Before you go

I hope you gain some inspiration from these games; I know my children always love playing games around Halloween and I’m sure yours will, too. Please get in touch and let me know how your Halloween goes! And if you have any pictures you’d like to share, please do let me join in the fun by sharing them with me 🙂 If you are looking for more games for preschool children, check out my free 50 tried and tested games!

FAQ

What age are these Halloween games for?

Ages 3 to 5. Pumpkins in the patch and match the character suit the youngest children. The spider web game needs an adult beside each child.

How long does each game take?

About 10 minutes each. Pass the pumpkin and Spook-E-Do run as long as you keep them going. Set a classroom timer if you have a party schedule to keep.

Do I need candy?

Only for the matching game at the end. Swap the Hershey Kisses for paper cards and it works the same way, without the sugar.