10 fun and safe halloween activities for families this year
Colder weather means one thing... It's time to dust off the fancy dress box and dive into some spooky Halloween activities!
From pumpkin decorating and scary movie marathons to themed bowling nights and fancy dress treasure hunts, we’ve rounded up the best Halloween activities for kids to make unforgettable memories this October.
Halloween-Themed Indoor Activities
Spooky Bowling Nights at Hollywood Bowl
Looking for frightfully fun Halloween activities? Bring the whole family down to Hollywood Bowl this October half-term!
With fancy dress competitions for the spookiest costume, amazing deals on our fright night feasts and spooktacular treasure hunts with devilishly delicious chocolate prizes, we have everything you need for the ultimate Halloween day out.
Indoor Craft Workshops & Pumpkin Decorating
Keep little hands busy with an arts and crafts afternoon. Carving scary faces onto pumpkins, cutting old sheets into ghost costumes and making spooky masks are creative Halloween activities that can be done at home.
Halloween Movie Afternoons
Get the popcorn ready and dim the lights for a night of watching family-friendly Halloween classics.
Fancy Dress Competitions at Local Community Centres
Most local schools, libraries or community centres host Halloween dress-up competitions or parties. Kids can show off their best costumes and get involved with fun Halloween activities like apple bobbing and mummy wrapping.
Indoor Trampolining or Soft Play with a Halloween Twist
Soft play centres and indoor trampoline parks often host themed sessions this time of year. It’s the perfect way to let the little ones burn off their sugar rush after one too many sweets.
Outdoor Halloween Adventures
Trick-or-Treat Walks in Local Parks
Trick-or-Treating doesn’t have to be door-to-door. These days, many parks and family-friendly venues offer safe, supervised Halloween trails that combine costumes with adventures.
Halloween Treasure Hunts & Scavenger Trails
Looking for outdoor Halloween activities for kids? Why not organise a spooktacular treasure hunt or scavenger trail? Hiding treats, clues and riddles in your garden or local park is a great way to keep festivities active.
Pumpkin Patches & Farm Visits
Nothing says autumn like a trip to the local pumpkin patch. From picking pumpkins to carve to hay bale rides in the farmer’s tractor, this has to be one of the most fun Halloween activities for kids.
Costume Parades and Local Festivals
Many towns and cities host Halloween parades and family-friendly festivals with music, food stalls and spooky entertainment. Keep an eye on your local events calendar to see what’s on.
Glow-in-the-Dark Evening Walks or Light Trails
Light trails tend to pop up around Halloween and Christmas each year. With decorations and lights that are more magical than scary, they're a great way of getting the kids out in nature and an appropriate Halloween activity for all ages.
Tips for a Fun & Safe Halloween
Sugar rushes and scary costumes can mean Halloween can get a little stressful for parents. Here are our top tips for enjoying your Halloween activities to the fullest:
1. Choose well-lit areas for Trick-or-Treating or treasure hunts
2. Use glow sticks to keep kids visible in the dark
3. Set a meeting point if older kids and Trick-or-Treating with friends
4. Check treats and goodies before they’re eaten (and try and ration them throughout the week)
5. Make sure everyone bundles up to stay warm and comfortable
Whether you’re staying in or heading out, these Halloween activities for kids make it easy to celebrate the spooky season. And if you’re after something special, head down to Hollywood Bowl’s Halloween bowling night for guaranteed fun for the whole family.
