There is one holiday- that unites us- and for a few brief moments (okay in our case- weeks) we are all after the same fleeting moment of mad-cap mayhem and pure enjoyment- dressing up in costumes, stuffing our faces with sweets and feasting on Halloween-themed movies, TV shows, and devouring all the fabulous products that are just out there ripe for the taking. And for many parents, keeping kids from wearing their Halloween costume to school every day is a struggle! Halloween is an exciting holiday for children who can’t wait to don their princess dress or Batman costume (and sometimes don’t) or A PLAYER ( I know I totally win MOM of the year).
And a well-planned Halloween party can go a long way in keeping your kids occupied and really getting into the holiday spirit! Since attention spans last about as long as Halloween candy stashes here are a few cheap SPOOKALICIOUS Halloween activity ideas for party-planning parents.
6 Cheap and Easy DIY Activities for Kids’ Halloween Parties!
#1 Decorations.
No Halloween party is complete without pumpkins, and yet buying jack-o-lanterns for a dozen kids can add up. Plus, you don’t want to risk someone hurting themselves during carving. Instead, buy mini pumpkins and set up a decorating station stocked with glue, glitter, felt, pipe cleaners and other basic supplies. You can also ask parents to pitch in on decorating supplies to further cut costs. You can also Put a touch of fright into your spooky Halloween party with this Boo Paper Skull Halloween Garland
It’s eerie how wickedly whimsical, magically practical, yet spellbindingly affordable this set of four shatter-resistant melamine appetizer plates are. Because your Halloween party guests will need a place to put their eyeball cake pops and almond cookie witch’s fingers, right?
#2 Balloon Game
Image Courtesy of Martha Stewart
Fill balloons with candy and confetti and pin to a board in the pattern of a pumpkin (or other Halloween character). Have kids throw darts or simply pop balloons with a sewing needle to find out what’s inside. Consult Martha Stewart for more details on how to create this fun activity.
#3 Halloween Bingo
Image courtesy of thecraftingchicks.com
Bingo is an easy game for kids to play and very inexpensive to coordinate. Thanks to free printables, you can find festive bingo boards featuring pumpkins, witches, black cats and more for the cost of printing it at home. Check out this roundup of top free printable resources from InkjetWilly.com and stock up on cheap printer ink here
#4 Witch Hat Ring Toss
Use a large piece of cardboard or foam board as the base, and glue black circle cut-outs to the board. Then, create witch-hat tops out of black poster board and use pool-diving rings as the tossers. Standby with cheap toys picked up at the dollar store to give as prizes.
#5 Mystery Bowls
This classic game is especially fun on Halloween when slimy textures can really fool kids. This article from Parents Magazine suggests filling three bowls with cold pasta, peeled grapes and bags of pudding and of course Halloween Candy. Blindfold kids and have them stick their hands into the bowl and describe what they feel.
Bonus: take photos of kids’ expressions and send them to their parents after the party! 
Image courtesy of www.kids-fun-and-games.com
#6 Cupcake Decorating
This two-for-one activity takes care of the sweets portion of your party while also serving as an activity. Depending on the age group of your kids, either pre-frost cupcakes or include piping bags with different-colored frosting for kids to choose themselves. Have sprinkles, candy corn, gummy worms and mini marshmallows ready for creative fingers.
Stacie says
October 2, 2018 at 2:54 pmOMG, that might be the best Halloween costume ever! He looks so great. Awesome tips all around.
Dana Vento says
October 2, 2018 at 4:45 pmThese are all so much fun! This makes me want to throw an epic Halloween party for the kiddos.
robin rue says
October 2, 2018 at 4:52 pmLove all your ideas. My boys LOVE mystery bowls. That’s the first thing they go for.
Liz Mays says
October 2, 2018 at 5:33 pmI’d definitely like to cut costs on decorations and the garlands could add a lot to the party. I’m liking the witch hat game a lot!
Brenda Kight says
October 2, 2018 at 5:49 pmI’m planning a Halloween party for the grandkids, these all looks like some fun ideas. I especially like the idea of the mystery bowls.
Connie says
October 2, 2018 at 7:01 pmI love these ideas. I love those plates. I love Halloween. I think that says it all…
Nancy L. says
October 2, 2018 at 7:24 pmGreat list of activities for a Halloween party. I like the cupcake decorating and the witch hat ring toss – too cute! You’ve inspired me to throw a party!
Pam says
October 2, 2018 at 8:18 pmThat player costume is hilarious. I like the DIY cupcakes too. It keeps the kids busy for a while during the party.
Jeni Hawkins says
October 2, 2018 at 11:52 pmAhhhh! How fun is this!? I love the witch hat game – I could totally play that at a Halloween party with the kids!
Kathy says
October 3, 2018 at 1:22 amThese look so much fun. My daughters have been wanting to have a Halloween party too. These are going to be great for them!
Jenna Wood says
October 3, 2018 at 5:12 amHow cute and colorful is that hat game? We like to make our own pinatas, or a bean bag toss. Of course ghost corn-hole is always a big hit too!
Sherry says
October 3, 2018 at 7:27 amA Halloween party sounds like fun. The mystery bowls would be a hoot. I can just imagine the facial expressions.
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
October 3, 2018 at 8:18 amI really love these ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Claudia Krusch says
October 3, 2018 at 12:43 pmLove these ideas! Can’t wait to use some of them at our party!
Lee says
October 3, 2018 at 9:06 pmI love your ideas!! I am helping host my son’s class party. Can’t wait to use some of your ideas!
Reesa Lewandowski says
October 4, 2018 at 12:12 amI am loving your ideas! Parties add up quick, so anywhere I can save money but still make things fun, I am in all in!