100+ Things to do on Halloween – Fun Activities for the Whole Family
There are Halloween activities everywhere! There are many fun things to do on Halloween, including pumpkin patches, Halloween snacks, activities, and trunk-or-treat events. If you’re looking for great ideas for your family this Halloween, you’re in the right place.
Things to do on Halloween
I’m excited to share a few favorite things to do on Halloween at home and in the classroom. I’ve got Halloween printables, hands-on Halloween activities, and book suggestions.
Plus, field trip ideas that will inspire you to take a trip with the family this Halloween. Keep reading to discover my favorite easy no-prep Halloween activities and magical Halloween fun for the whole family!
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Printable Halloween Activities and Ideas
Witches Brew Drink Labels
Let’s make Halloween party drinks fun this October with my Witches Brew Drink Labels. These free Halloween printables can make your Halloween drinks look way cooler than the traditional plastic party cups. Plus, I’ve included the recipe for my signature Witches Brew, and it’s easy and delicious!
Free Halloween Printable Bucket List
If you’re looking for ideas for your family this October, look no further. I’ve got a Halloween Bucket List Printable to carry you through the whole month with tons of Halloween-themed fun! With 31 great ideas, including crafts, field trips, and family movie nights.
Harry Potter Printables
We love Harry Potter! That’s why I created these adorable Harry Potter Printables. You can use them in your classroom, homeschool, or at your next Harry Potter themed party.
Don’t miss these tips for How to Make a Wizard Wand using sticks. Plus, my creative potion recipes and Harry Potter slime you can use at your Harry Potter event this Halloween.
Want Permits for Wizards
Whether you’re preparing for a Hogwarts Halloween party theme or preparing for a family trip to Diagon Alley at Universal, these Wand Permit Halloween Printables for kids are the perfect way to add some magical fun to your celebration. Plus, they pair up well with the wooden wand craft mentioned above.
What Should I Do On Halloween?
What should you do on Halloween if you’re not planning to trick-or-treat? Fortunately, there are tons of options! If you’re celebrating Halloween at home, you can enjoy one of our favorite things to do on Halloween at home.
Make Halloween Treats
Halloween treats aren’t just for trick-or-treaters. You can enjoy delicious, spooky-themed treats right at home (or in the classroom) with your whole family. Making these Halloween sweets and snacks in the kitchen is a great way to spend some quality time making memories this October.
You can use recipes to teach all sorts of important early learning skills too! Kids can learn about measurement, fractions, chemistry, and following directions while making these sweet treats:
- Witches Brew Halloween Drink
- Vampire Blood Kids Drink Recipe
- Pumpkin Patch Brownie Recipe
- 20+ Healthy Halloween Snacks
- Easy Halloween Cake Cookies Recipe
- Haunted Tree Halloween Cookie Cake Recipe
- Peanut Butter Candy Corn Cookies
- Halloween Candy Apples from Amanda’s Cookin
- Chocolate Spider Cheese Ball for Halloween
- Hocus Pocus Cupcakes
- 24+ Easy Halloween Snacks for Kids
Decorate or Carve Pumpkins
Carving pumpkins is one of our favorite things to do on Halloween at home. Host a friendly competition with the whole family! The winner can have one of those pumpkin patch brownies or candy apples mentioned above.
If carving isn’t in the cards this Halloween, you can still have fun decorating pumpkins. Paint funny faces on your pumpkins or turn them into new creations with my Epic No Carve Pumpkin Ideas. It’s filled with great ideas like minion pumpkins, Olaf pumpkins, and nature-inspired pumpkins made with found objects.
Halloween Movie Marathon
A Halloween movie night is a great way to bring the family together. If you’re looking for things to do on Halloween at home, what could be better than bonding over your favorite movies? Halloween movies don’t have to be scary; there are plenty of silly holiday classics to enjoy with kids of all ages.
Bonding over movies is a great way to encourage communication. Don’t forget the popcorn and your favorite candies. Check out this Halloween Popcorn Mix from Life’s Ambrosia for a delicious spin on a classic movie treat.
Don’t miss these fun family films for Halloween:
- Halloweentown
- Hocus Pocus
- It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
- Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest
- Hotel Transylvania
Halloween Party Ideas
Tell Your Favorite Scary Stories
One of the best things to do on Halloween at home is screen-free. The fall weather is perfect for gathering the family around a campfire or fire pit in the backyard for scary stories. Share some of your favorite spooky tales, family stories, or Halloween jokes. Don’t forget the s’mores!
If you need help thinking of ideas for your scary stories, try adding Fireside Story Dice. Using these prompting dice is a great way to get kids to think outside the box. Plus, they encourage creativity and imagination.
The Best Halloween Books to Read Aloud
Grab your favorite Halloween book to read aloud and add a free Halloween printable or hands-on activity for a lesson your kids won’t forget! Or just cuddle up and read together.
- Harry Potter: The Illustrated Collection by J.K. Rowling
- The Black Cauldron by Lloyd Alexander
- The Secret Lake: A children’s mystery adventure
- The Witches
Host a Halloween Dinner
If you’re looking for a new Halloween tradition you can enjoy at home with friends and family, hosting a Halloween dinner might be just the thing. Get creative with themed foods for the whole family.
STEM Halloween Activities
STEM Halloween activities are a great way to weave science, technology, and math principles into your lessons this October. In this article, you’ll get more than 20 STEM activities for Halloween to entertain and educate your preschoolers and kindergartners. Don’t miss pumpkin catapults, fall tinker trays, and more.
Or, best of all, create a few exploding pumpkins.
Halloween Science Experiments
Creepy cool science experiments make Halloween a lot more fun! In my Halloween science experiments article, you’ll find 25+ Science Based Halloween Activities for lots of hands-on learning with your kids this October.
Discover pumpkin volcanos, spider leg potions, and disappearing skulls to amaze and inspire your little scientists this Halloween.
Hands-On Halloween Activities & Games
Halloween printables for kids don’t just make decorating for the holiday more fun; they’re also perfect for adding a little extra learning fun to your Halloween lessons and celebrations this October. We love embracing the spirit of the season and engaging in extra learning through play all month long.
Check out some of these favorite hands-on Halloween activities and games to pair up with the free Halloween printables here.
Halloween Pumpkin Salt Painting
20+ Halloween STEM Activities for Preschool and Kindergarten
200+ Halloween Activities for Kids
Halloween Sensory Bin Ideas – Halloween Spaghetti Sensory Play
Ghost Potato Stamping Craft for Halloween
Pumpkin Science Experiment
Halloween Sensory Activities
Sensory play inspires kids to explore different topics and materials using all 5 senses. Halloween Sensory Activities are a great way to engage reluctant learners and teach kids new concepts with hands-on play.
Don’t miss more than 35 awesome Halloween activities with a sensory spin, including Halloween slime bags and spaghetti “brain” bins.
Are you planning any fun Halloween activities I forgot to mention?
Share your favorite ideas in the comment section, and don’t forget to grab this printable bundle of fun things to do on Halloween at home. Happy Halloween!