Halloween carnivals are one of my favorite childhood memories. The mix of costumes, candy, and games creates an atmosphere that kids never forget.
For parents and organizers, having creative games ready can keep the little ones engaged for hours. These activities not only add fun but also encourage teamwork, creativity, and laughter.
1. Pumpkin Ring Toss
The pumpkin ring toss is a carnival classic that works perfectly for Halloween. Place several medium-sized pumpkins on the ground and use glow-in-the-dark rings for tossing.
The pumpkin stems act as the target, and kids try to land their rings around them. To make it more exciting, assign points for each successful toss, with smaller pumpkins offering higher scores.
You can even add a spooky twist by painting faces on the pumpkins or wrapping them in spider web material.
This makes the game visually fun and adds an extra Halloween vibe. Small prizes like stickers or candy make the activity even more rewarding.
2. Witch Hat Ring Toss
Instead of pumpkins, use tall cardboard witch hats as targets. Place them at different distances so kids can choose an easy or hard challenge. Foam rings or glow necklaces work great for tossing. It’s a great way to test aim and patience.
Decorate the hats with glitter, spooky symbols, or LED lights to grab attention. This game can also be played indoors or outdoors, making it versatile for different carnival setups. The adjustable difficulty makes it fun for both younger and older kids.
3. Mummy Wrap Race
In the mummy wrap race, kids work in pairs to wrap one player in toilet paper or crepe paper from head to toe. The goal is to finish wrapping as quickly as possible without breaking the paper. This game brings lots of laughter and teamwork into the mix.
For a festive upgrade, use orange or black crepe paper instead of plain white. You can even give a prize for the most “authentic-looking” mummy, encouraging creativity as well as speed. It’s a great game for parents and kids to enjoy together.
4. Ghost Bowling
Ghost bowling is a fun twist on the classic bowling game. Paint empty 2-liter bottles white and add black marker faces to turn them into ghosts. Use a small orange ball as the “pumpkin” bowling ball to knock them down.
This game can be adjusted for space by placing bottles closer or farther apart. It’s simple to set up and easy for younger kids to play. You can also keep score to make it a competitive carnival activity.
5. Spider Web Obstacle Course
Using white yarn or string, create a “spider web” across a hallway or outdoor space. The goal is for kids to get through without touching the web. This game tests agility and problem-solving while keeping the Halloween theme strong.
For extra fun, add fake spiders or creepy decorations to make the path feel spooky. You can time the players and turn it into a race, awarding prizes for the fastest times. It’s an inexpensive yet exciting carnival game idea.
6. Candy Corn Toss
Candy corn toss is a colorful and easy game that always attracts kids. Use small buckets or Halloween-themed containers placed at varying distances.
Players toss large plastic candy corn or beanbags painted like candy corn into the buckets for points.
To make it more appealing, decorate each bucket with spooky stickers or wrap them in Halloween ribbon. Offer small candy treats for each successful toss to keep kids motivated and excited to play again.
7. Monster Bean Bag Knockdown
Set up a row of tin cans painted to look like silly or scary monsters. Kids use beanbags to knock them over, scoring points based on how many they hit.
This game is simple but highly competitive, especially when kids try to beat their friends’ scores.
You can increase the challenge by stacking the cans into a pyramid. Bright monster faces add a playful touch, and foam beanbags keep the game safe for all ages.
8. Pin the Hat on the Witch
A Halloween version of the classic “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.” Hang a large picture of a witch on the wall, leaving her head bare. Blindfold players, spin them around, and have them place a paper hat as close to the correct spot as possible.
You can make multiple hats in different colors and award points for accuracy. This game works perfectly for younger children and requires very little space or setup time.
9. Cauldron Toss
Use large black plastic cauldrons as the target and give kids small beanbags or plastic frogs to toss in. Place the cauldrons at different distances for varying difficulty levels.
Decorate the area with dry ice or LED lights to create a magical, smoky effect around the cauldrons. Kids love the fantasy element, and the setup works well indoors or outdoors.
10. Eyeball Spoon Relay
Replace traditional eggs with lightweight plastic eyeballs for this Halloween relay race. Kids race from one point to another while balancing the eyeball on a spoon. If it falls, they must go back and start again.
To make it more challenging, add small obstacles or turns along the race path. This game brings out lots of laughter, especially when the “eyeballs” roll away. It’s a great team activity for carnival events.
11. Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
Pumpkin tic-tac-toe is a charming and simple game for younger kids. Use a large piece of cardboard or wooden board painted with a tic-tac-toe grid. Mini pumpkins painted in two different colors act as the Xs and Os.
You can keep the game on a low table or even on the ground so kids can easily move the pumpkins around. The bright colors and tactile feel of the pumpkins make it extra fun and visually appealing.
12. Feed the Monster
Create a large cardboard monster face with a wide open mouth cut out. Kids throw beanbags, balls, or even plush eyeballs into the monster’s mouth for points. The bigger the mouth, the easier the game for younger players.
You can make different monster designs and let kids choose their favorite to “feed.” Adding silly monster sound effects makes it even more entertaining.
13. Glow Stick Ring Toss
Play this game in a dimly lit area for maximum effect. Use glow-in-the-dark sticks or necklaces as rings and aim for bottles or pegs wrapped in reflective tape. The glowing colors attract attention from across the carnival.
You can vary the distance based on age groups to keep it fair. Prizes for each successful toss keep the excitement going, especially when kids try for the hardest targets.
14. Scarecrow Sack Race
Use traditional potato sacks but decorate them with scarecrow patches or Halloween-themed designs. Kids hop from the starting line to the finish while trying not to fall over.
This game is great for larger carnival spaces and brings out lots of laughter from both players and spectators. You can run heats for different age groups to make it more competitive.
15. Spider Ring Hunt
Hide plastic spider rings around a sandbox or hay-filled box. Kids dig through to find as many spiders as they can in a set time. This game is perfect for small spaces and keeps kids busy for several minutes at a time.
You can even hide special golden spiders for bonus points or bigger prizes. It’s a low-cost activity that fits perfectly into the Halloween theme.
16. Haunted Mini Golf
Set up a few short putting lanes with spooky decorations like tombstones, skeletons, and fake cobwebs. Use lightweight plastic golf balls and small putters for safety. The goal is to get the ball into a decorated hole in as few strokes as possible.
You can theme each hole differently, such as a pumpkin tunnel, a ghostly bridge, or a spider web obstacle. This variety keeps kids interested and encourages them to try multiple rounds.
17. Bat Bean Bag Toss
Cut bat-shaped holes in a large piece of painted plywood or cardboard. Kids throw beanbags through the holes, earning points for each successful shot. Vary the hole sizes to change the difficulty level.
Blacklights can make the bats glow if you use fluorescent paint. It’s a great indoor option for nighttime carnivals or dimly lit areas.
18. Skeleton Puzzle Race
Create a large skeleton puzzle using foam board pieces. Scatter the pieces in a small area and have kids race to assemble the skeleton correctly. This game challenges both speed and memory.
You can make it more exciting by timing each player and displaying the fastest times on a scoreboard. Adding silly names for the skeletons makes it even more engaging for younger kids.
19. Zombie Tag
Zombie tag is a high-energy game where one or two “zombies” chase the other players. When someone is tagged, they become a zombie too. The game continues until everyone is “infected.”
To make it Halloween-appropriate, use face paint or zombie masks for the taggers. This game works best in larger outdoor spaces where kids can run freely.
20. Witch’s Broom Limbo
Use a lightweight broomstick decorated with ribbons and streamers as the limbo bar. Play fun Halloween music while kids bend backward to pass under the broom without touching it.
Lower the broom after each round to increase the challenge. Kids love the combination of music, movement, and competition, making it a great finale for a carnival.
Conclusion
Halloween carnivals are all about creating joyful, spooky moments that kids will remember long after the candy is gone.
These twenty games cover everything from physical challenges to creative puzzles, making them perfect for a variety of age groups. By mixing competitive and just-for-fun activities, you keep the energy high and ensure everyone leaves with a smile.
Whether you’re setting up in a school gym, community hall, or backyard, these ideas are easy to adapt to your space and budget. Add a few themed decorations, a prize table, and you’re ready for a memorable Halloween event.
FAQs
Games like spider ring hunts, mummy wrap races, and pumpkin tic-tac-toe are inexpensive and require only basic supplies.
Use lightweight, non-breakable props, keep sharp objects away, and provide adult supervision for every activity.
Yes, simply adjust the difficulty level, such as changing target distances or game rules, to make them fair for everyone.