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Halloween Activities for the Entire Family

Witches and goblins and ghosts – oh my! Halloween is upon us yet again, so is dressing up for free candy and a little bit of scary fun. But there is more to do than just begging for sweets to get you in the Halloween mood. Here are five activities that the entire family can participate in, from young to old, to sugar coat the scary season without extra calories.

1. Carve a pumpkin. The art of carving a pumpkin has gotten more artistic, with elaborate designs created with specialized tools. But the fun of pumpkin carving is much simpler: draw and cut. Young ones can help design the pumpkins by drawing on the rind and older kids and adults can cut it out. Everyone can get in on cleaning out the innards and eating fresh toasted pumpkin seeds.

2. Take a hayride. Originally, hayrides allowed farmhands and working farm children a break from labor as they rode back to the barn where they would unload hay. Lean into this idea and find a leisurely hayride to sit back and relax right before the hectic holiday season. Some hayrides offer a “haunted” experience if the whole family is up for something more frightening than relaxing.

3. Bob for apples. Somehow this game created to find your soulmate has become a tradition for Halloween parties and fun. Fill a big container with water, add a bag of apples, and let each try to get an apple out using their mouth only. For a competitive spirit, time each attempt and have a prize for the faster grabber. Don’t forget the towels; you are going to get wet!

4. Share scary stories. It’s important to create the right atmosphere: so, dim the lights, light some candles, and sit close together in a circle. Let each person take a turn telling a story, whether it’s a traditional ghost tale or one made up on the spot. To make it more fun, try creating a story together, with each person taking a turn to contribute one sentence until the tale is complete.

5. Model “found” costumes. Turn the hallway into a fashion runway. Have everyone model their costume they made from found items around the house. Can that roll of toilet paper turn you into a mummy? Is that hat just what you need to be Sherlock Holmes? In the immortal words of Project Runway’s Tim Gunn, “make it work.”

Ultimately, Halloween is another holiday that the whole family can enjoy together. Yes, there may be things that go bump in the night. If you’re lucky, it’s followed by laughter as everyone gets in on the fun. Happy haunting!

Sources: Parade; Northern Kentucky Tribune; Allrecipes