Games Play Halloween Parties

• Lollipops (1 per child)
• Ribbon
• Paper
• Tissue Paper (white)
• Various Halloween terms/words (about 10)
• Styrofoam block

• Before the game, you will want to construct your "Ghosts" by covering lollipops with tissue paper and then tying a letter to them with ribbon.  You can decorate the face of your ghosts with a marker.

• Divide party guest into teams of 3-5 kids per team, the number per team may be based the ages of the kids and the number of attendees at the party..

• Each team is given clues to find ghosts that can be hidden outside or inside. Note: Don't place all the ghosts together or the kids will grab the first ghost they see rather than find the ghost you want them to find. Also, tell them not to untie the ghosts until after the game is over. So send them off to different areas in search of ghosts.

• Give each child clues as to where a ghost may be located. Young children may like to have an adult go with them for safety and to assist if they don't understand the clues. Example Clues: I live near the large tree in the backyard.

• Each team will return with 3-5 ghosts with letters. The corresponding letters will spell or help spell a mystery word that relates to Halloween. See the 2 versions below:

• Young kids: Use words where all the letters are given: bat, witch, cat, hat, broom, ghoul etc... One team at a time, take the letters and mix them up. One team at a time, take the letters and mix them up.  If they guess the word correctly they get a point, if they miss the word the other teams have a chance to get a point. Have them raise their hand if they know the answer, 1 guess per team. If no team guesses the word, then a simple clue is given and the process is repeated until the word is guessed. If there is a tie have a tie-breaker mystery word that is a little harder. Offer a small prize for the winners.

• A little harder: In this version the letters on the ghosts only give clues to the mystery Halloween word. Word Examples: pumpkin, headless, horseman, haunted, goblins, Sleepy Hollow, etc... Arrange the letters in correct order leaving spaces for missing letters. The Ghost Hunting team whose ghosts are being used get the first try to guess the mystery word. If they guess the word correctly they get a point, if they miss the word the other teams have a chance to get a point. Have them raise their hand if they know the answer, 1 guess per team. If no team guesses the word, then a simple clue is given and the process is repeated until the word is guessed. Again have a tie-breaker word just in case and offer a prize for the victors.