Halloween is a celebration that has only just begun to build momentum in Australia. The marketing campaigns leading up to October 31 are becoming pretty fierce which my children noticed for the first time just before the 2013 celebration.
I’m quite hesitant to let either of my children trick or treat. Not only am I reluctant for them to knock on the doors of our neighbours homes when the date is not celebrated here, but I’m also a little uncomfortable with my children actually requesting treats from strangers. We spend a lot of time talking about stranger danger and the practice of Trick or Treating seems to be at odds with this, don’t you think?
I’m always looking for a little fun, so I now view Halloween as an opportunity to have an ‘activity’ afternoon instead. All it takes is about to cover the decorations, food, treats and the objects for the games. Last year we invited the neighbours and indulged in lots of fun filled games that I’ve outlined below so you can replicate them if you wish.
Mummy Race
For some reason, when I think of Scooby-Doo I also think of the Egyptian Mummy. I have a fading recollection of watching an episode when I was very young and watching one chase Scooby and Shaggy around a haunted house. So…when coming up with ideas for our Halloween afternoon I thought a mummy, being so scary for me, would be for my kids too – so why not create a game around this.
The Mummy Race is an easy peasy game to organise and to play. All you need is a couple of rolls of white toilet paper for each team. Once I identified the starting spot and the finish line, I provided the instruction: wrap your partner up like a mummy until I say stop. The mummy then had to run to the finish line. There was no real winner but a lot of laughter as the mummy bandages unravelled.
Donut Race
This is one of our favourite party games and has becoming one we play at each of our parties. All you need is some yummy donuts and some string. You can then tie them up high ready to begin. Ask each kid to line up behind a donut with their hands behind their back. They then race to see who can eat their donut the fastest without touching it with their hands.
Mr Bones Jigsaw
I divided the kids into two teams and placed a complete (paper) skeleton in front of them that they needed to put together. Of course, I made it a race. I used a printable which I cut up myself and put into two envelopes the night before ready to play.
Halloween Bingo
Bingo can be a lot of fun especially if it has a spooky flavour. I downloaded this game which we played for a good 15 laughter filled minutes.
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All of these games were super easy to set up and play. I ordered pizza for dinner and set the table with some ghoulish fiends to provide the right ambience. It was a school night with the festivities starting after our afternoon sport activities, so we finished by 8.00 pm. The whole evening, pizza included, cost under $20.00. Not one trick or treater arrived, nor any ghosts or vampires, but we did have a fabulous Halloween time!