Spooktacular Alternatives: 15+ Things to Do on Halloween Besides Trick or Treating
Halloween, the spookiest time of the year, is just around the corner! While trick or treating is a classic tradition, there are plenty of other fun things to do on Halloween that can make your holiday even more memorable. So, gather your friends and family, and let's dive into some alternative Halloween activities that are sure to get you into the spooky spirit! Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and things to do on halloween besides trick or treat.
Hauntingly Good Halloween Movies Marathon
Kicking off our list of things to do on Halloween is a classic – a Halloween movie marathon! Gather your favorite snacks, get cozy in your PJs, and stream some of the best horror, comedy, and family-friendly Halloween movies. Some must-watch suggestions include:
- Horror: Halloween (1978), Scream (1996), The Conjuring (2013) - Comedy: Hocus Pocus (1993), Beetlejuice (1988), Get Out (2017) - Family-friendly: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966), Casper (1995), Monster House (2006)
Creepy Crafting Party
Unleash your inner artist with a DIY crafting party! Create some spooky decorations to set the mood for your Halloween festivities. Here are a few ideas:
- Mason jar lanterns: Paint mason jars with glow-in-the-dark paint, then place battery-operated tea lights inside. - Paper plate bats: Cut out bat shapes from black paper plates, then decorate with googly eyes and paint. - Toilet paper roll ghosts: Wrap empty toilet paper rolls in white tissue paper, then draw on ghostly faces with a black marker.
Thrilling Halloween Escape Room
Test your wits and problem-solving skills with a Halloween-themed escape room! Many escape rooms offer special Halloween editions with spookier themes and challenges. If you can't make it to an escape room, try an online escape game with your friends.
Eerie Costume Party
Host an eerie costume party for you and your friends! Encourage everyone to dress up in their best Halloween costumes and have a contest for the most creative, scariest, or funniest outfit. Don't forget to play some spooky tunes to set the mood – think Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Bobby "Boris" Pickett's "Monster Mash," and other Halloween classics.
Ghostly Hiking or Bike Ride
Get some fresh air and exercise with a ghostly hiking or bike ride! Find a local trail with a spooky reputation and explore it after dark. Just make sure to bring a flashlight and stick to well-marked paths.
Murder Mystery Dinner
Host a murder mystery dinner for a night of intrigue and suspense! You can find murder mystery kits online or create your own story. Invite your friends and family to dress up in their best 1920s attire and solve the crime over a delicious meal.
Spooky Storytelling Night
Gather around the campfire or in your living room for a spooky storytelling night. Share your favorite ghost stories, urban legends, and creepypastas with your friends and family. To make it even more fun, try a storytelling game like "Marry, F**k, Kill" or "Would You Rather" with a Halloween twist.
Haunted House Tour
Visit a haunted house tour or ghost walk in your area. Many cities offer historical tours that focus on their most haunted locations. If you're feeling brave, try an extreme haunted house experience with live actors and intense scares.
Pumpkin Carving Contest
Host a pumpkin carving contest with your friends and family! Provide each participant with a pumpkin and carving tools, then let their creativity run wild. Award prizes for categories like "Most Creative," "Scariest," and "Funniest."
Halloween Baking Extravaganza
Get your aprons ready for a Halloween baking extravaganza! Whip up some spooky treats like ghost meringues, monster cupcakes, and pumpkin spice latte cookies. Don't forget to decorate them with colorful icing, sprinkles, and candy eyes.
Spooky Game Night
Host a spooky game night with your friends and family! There are plenty of board games, card games, and video games with Halloween themes. Some popular options include:
- Board games: Betrayal at House on the Hill, One Night Ultimate Werewolf, Mysterium - Card games: Exploding Kittens (Halloween edition), One Night Ultimate Vampire, Fluxx (Halloween edition) - Video games: Luigi's Mansion, Until Dawn, Phasmophobia
Haunted Hayride
Go on a haunted hayride through a local corn maze or pumpkin patch. Many farms offer haunted hayrides as part of their fall festivities. Don't forget to bundle up – it can get chilly out there!
Spooky Yoga or Meditation
Find your inner zen with a spooky yoga or meditation session. Many gyms and studios offer special Halloween-themed classes with spooky music and decorations. If you can't make it to a class, try an online yoga or meditation video with a Halloween theme.
Halloween Themed Trivia Night
Host a Halloween-themed trivia night with your friends and family! Create categories like "Spooky Movies," "Halloween History," and "Ghostly Legends." Offer prizes for the winning team, like themed candy or small gifts.
Haunted Virtual Reality Experience
Immerse yourself in a haunted virtual reality experience! Many VR arcades offer Halloween-themed games and attractions. If you have a VR headset at home, try an online VR game with a spooky setting.
DIY Haunted House
Create your own DIY haunted house! Grab some friends or family members and work together to design and build a spooky attraction in your backyard or garage. Don't forget to include plenty of jump scares, creepy music, and eerie lighting.
Halloween-Themed Scavenger Hunt
Organize a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt in your neighborhood or town. Create a list of spooky items for participants to find, like pumpkins, black cats, and ghostly figures. Offer a prize for the first person or team to find all the items on the list.
Spooky Campfire Stories and S'mores
Gather around the campfire for a night of spooky campfire stories and s'mores. Roast marshmallows, share your favorite ghost stories, and enjoy the crisp autumn air. Don't forget to bring plenty of blankets and warm drinks to keep everyone cozy.
Haunted Brewery or Winery Tour
Visit a haunted brewery or winery for a spooky twist on a classic outing. Many breweries and wineries offer special Halloween tours with ghost stories and tastings. Some even pair their drinks with themed snacks like "witch's brew" or "blood red" wine.
Spooky Paint and Sip
Get creative with a spooky paint and sip class! Many paint and sip studios offer special Halloween-themed workshops where you can paint your own spooky masterpiece while enjoying a glass of wine or cocktail.
Halloween-Themed Escape Room at Home
Create your own Halloween-themed escape room at home using online puzzle games and printable clues. Work together with your friends or family to solve the puzzles and escape the room before time runs out.
Ghostly Bike Ride or Hike
Go for a ghostly bike ride or hike on a local trail with a spooky reputation. Bring a flashlight and explore the path after dark, keeping an eye out for any ghostly apparitions.
Spooky DIY Spa Night
Treat yourself to a spooky DIY spa night with your friends or family. Create Halloween-themed face masks, paint each other's nails with spooky designs, and relax with some creepy music and candles.
Halloween-Themed Cooking Class
Take a Halloween-themed cooking class and learn how to make spooky dishes like "mummy hot dogs," "witch's brew" soup, and "eyeball" deviled eggs. Many cooking schools offer special Halloween classes for adults and kids.
Haunted Pub Crawl
Join a haunted pub crawl in your city and explore local bars and taverns with a spooky history. Many pub crawls include ghost stories, historical facts, and themed drinks.
Spooky DIY Movie Night
Host a spooky DIY movie night with your friends or family. Set up a projector and screen in your backyard, or create a cozy movie-watching space indoors. Don't forget to bring plenty of popcorn, blankets, and Halloween-themed snacks.
Halloween-Themed Murder Mystery Lunch
Host a Halloween-themed murder mystery lunch for a midday fright. Create a murder mystery scenario, assign characters to your guests, and let the games begin. Serve a themed lunch like "corpse fingers" sandwiches and "poisoned" punch.
Ghost Walk or Ghost Tour
Join a ghost walk or ghost tour in your city and explore local haunted locations with a guide. Many ghost tours include historical facts, ghost stories, and even EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) recordings.
Spooky DIY Escape Room
Create your own spooky DIY escape room using household items and online puzzle games. Design a themed room with spooky decorations, and challenge your friends or family to solve the puzzles and escape before time runs out.
Haunted Lighthouse Tour
Visit a haunted lighthouse for a spooky tour with a view. Many lighthouses offer special Halloween tours with ghost stories, historical facts, and even paranormal investigations.
Spooky DIY Terrarium Workshop
Get creative with a spooky DIY terrarium workshop. Gather supplies like moss, stones, and miniature Halloween decorations, then create your own spooky landscape in a glass container.
Haunted Museum Tour
Visit a haunted museum for a spooky exploration of history. Many museums offer special Halloween tours with ghost stories, historical facts, and even paranormal investigations.
Spooky DIY Lantern Making Workshop
Create your own spooky DIY lanterns with a workshop at home. Gather supplies like mason jars, paint, and battery-operated tea lights, then design your own spooky lantern