Halloween is a magical time of year when kids (and adults!) get to embrace all things spooky, fun, and creative. If you’re planning a Halloween-themed kids’ party, read on for our spooky ideas and fun activities.

Whether you are hosting at home or booking a party venue, this guide will help you plan the best Halloween party. From spooky venue ideas to engaging activities and ghoulish decorations, we’ve got you covered!

1. Choose the Perfect Halloween Venue

Your venue sets the tone for the party, so it's important to find the right space that feels both festive and functional. If you're planning to host a larger group, consider hiring a local venue through Sharesy, that’s well-equipped for kids' events.

Here are a few Halloween venue ideas to get you started:

• Local Community Centers: Many community centres have flexible spaces that can be decorated to fit your Halloween theme. Plus, they often offer kid-friendly facilities and ample room for activities and games.
• Outdoor Venues or Gardens: If the weather’s nice, consider an outdoor venue where kids can enjoy Halloween in the crisp autumn air. Think pumpkin patches, spooky trails, or themed scavenger hunts.
• Your Home: Hosting at home? You can easily transform your living room or back garden into a spooky, kid-friendly haunted house.

2. Spooky Halloween Decorations for Kids

No Halloween party is complete without the perfect haunted decor! For a kids' party, you want decorations that are spooky enough to delight but not too scary for little ones. Here's how to balance the fun and fright factor:

Front door Magic

• Pumpkin Path: Create a welcoming entrance by lining your doorway with glowing pumpkins.
• Friendly Ghosts: Hang up friendly ghost decorations made from white fabric or balloons draped in gauze. Add googly eyes to make them less spooky and more adorable.
• Spider Webs: Fake spider webs are a classic! Cover bushes, walls, or doorways with cobwebs to add a fun and spooky vibe without being too intense for younger kids.

Inside the Venue

• Halloween Balloons: Use orange, black, and purple balloons to fill the party space.
• DIY Decorations: Encourage creativity by involving the kids in making their own decorations as part of the fun. DIY paper bats, spooky window stickers, or painted pumpkins can serve as both decor and activities!
• Fog Machines and Lighting: Use low lighting, flickering lanterns, and even a fog machine for an eerie atmosphere. Soft, coloured lights like purple or green can make the space feel spooky without being overwhelming.

3. Halloween-Themed Activities and Games for Kids

A Halloween party isn't just about decorations—it’s all about keeping the kids entertained with engaging activities. Make sure your games and crafts are age-appropriate and spooky fun!

Monster Mash Dance-Off

• Crank up some Halloween music and host a fun dance-off where kids can show off their best monster moves. Provide prizes for the silliest, scariest, and most creative dances.

Pumpkin Decorating Station

• Skip the pumpkin carving and set up a pumpkin decorating station instead! Provide markers, stickers, googly eyes, and other fun, non-messy materials for the kids to personalise their pumpkins. You can pick up cute mini pumpkins so you don’t have to carry heavy pumpkins around with you.

Pin the Hat on the Witch

• This is a Halloween twist on the classic "Pin the Tail on the Donkey." Print or draw a large witch, and have the kids take turns trying to pin a paper hat on her while blindfolded.

Spooky Treasure Hunt

• Create a spooky treasure hunt by hiding Halloween-themed items like small toys, candy, or glow-in-the-dark trinkets around the venue. Give the kids flashlights and let them search for treasure in the dark!

Mummy Wrapping Contest

• Pair kids up and give each team a roll of toilet paper. The goal? Wrap their partner up like a mummy as quickly as possible. This game is always a hit and results in lots of laughs and photo opportunities.

Fancy Dress Fashion show

• With all the effort that goes into halloween costumes, it only seems fair to give the kids a chance to show them off. Set the scene with some music, gather your audience and let your kids parade their costumes to you all.

4. Themed Halloween Treats

No party is complete without some delicious (and spooky) snacks. When it comes to Halloween treats, presentation is key. Here are a few easy yet effective ideas for your party menu:

• Monster Cupcakes: Decorate cupcakes with monster faces using icing, candy eyes, and colourful sprinkles. Let the kids help decorate their own for an added fun activity!
• Witch’s Brew Punch: Serve a green or orange punch and add floating "eyeballs" made from lychees and grapes. Top Safety Tip: Make sure to cut up those grapes as they are a choking hazard for little ones. For extra flair, serve the punch in a cauldron and add some dry ice for a fog effect.
• Skeleton Crudite: Chop up an assortment of vegetables and lay them out like a skeleton. Think, Carrot bones, red pepper ribs, olives for eyes, ect. Add some dips to make this tasty and healthy snack complete.
• Cat Cookies: Use Halloween themed cookie cutters to make delicious and spooky cookies.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out this great blog from Delish.

5. Halloween-Themed Goodie Bags

Send your young guests home with more than just memories. Halloween-themed goodie bags are a great way to thank the kids for coming and keep the excitement going even after the party ends.

Ideas for Goodie Bag Items:

• Mini pumpkins or small Halloween toys
• Glow-in-the-dark bracelets or necklaces
• Halloween stickers or temporary tattoos
• Candy (of course!)
• Small DIY craft kits for continued fun at home

To make it eco-friendly, consider using reusable Halloween tote bags that the kids can use again for trick-or-treating!

Planning the perfect Halloween-themed kids' party doesn’t have to be daunting. By choosing a great halloween party venue, getting creative with your decorating, and planning engaging activities, you can ensure that the kids will have a brilliant time.

Remember, the key to success is balancing the spooky fun so that all ages can enjoy the party.

Don’t forget: If you’re still looking for the perfect venue for your Halloween party, check out Sharesy’s wide selection of kid-friendly spaces available for hire here.