As the weather gets colder, pool days and cookouts become pumpkin picking and movie nights. By the time October rolls around, we're ready to celebrate one of our favorite holidays of the whole year. Why, you ask? Partly because it's so versatile. You can do Halloween however feels fun to you. When planning this year's Halloween activities, think about whether you want to lean into the tricky side of the season with a haunted house or horror movie marathon or into the treat side with a cute hayride, cookie-decorating party, or pumpkin-carving contest. Either way, your Halloween party and decorations are going to be so much fun—especially since we've here to help with ideas and inspiration.
The best part about Halloween is that it can be such a family-friendly holiday. Every activity is more fun when you're with your loved ones, so feel free to invite over your friends and family—and even their friends and family—to fully embrace the season, toddlers and little kids included. That said, you might want something much more low-key while still staying on theme. We've got both options covered.
Our top three best Halloween activities are carving pumpkins, going to a haunted house, and having a Halloween movie marathon. But Halloween has something to offer for every type of fun. Ahead, we highlight 15 of the best Halloween activities, including a few that are great to do alone if you're in the mood for a solo-date kind of day.
Take a Ghost Tour
Nothing says Halloween quite like a day chock-full of scary sights and even spookier stories. Opt for a day trip to a nearby city that's older than your own (Savannah, Charleston, and Chattanooga are great options in the southeastern U.S.; Salem is a classic up north).
Play a Murder-Mystery Game
Live out your favorite horror-movie fantasy by playing a murder-mystery game. Assign everyone their roles beforehand and ask everyone to arrive in costume for the full, immersive experience.
Host a DIY Costume Night
Stressed about finding or finishing your costumes in time? Host a DIY costume night to be social while also being productive.
Bake a Festive Fall Treat
Halloween isn't only about ghosts and ghouls. It's also about celebrating fall. Opt for in-season produce like apples, pecans, pumpkins, or gourds to do some thematic baking.
Throw a Halloween Party
If you're too old for trick-or-treating, invite your friends over to enjoy the sweet treats of Halloween without having to go door-to-door. Put Thriller on the party playlist for a built-in dance break.
Go Trick-or-Treating
A classic for a reason, trick-or-treating is a fabulous way for little ones to not only get a sugar high but also show off their costumes and build their confidence. Plan to go in a group around your neighborhood for the ultimate fun.
Visit a Haunted House
Whether it's at a carnival or a real-life tour, a haunted house is one of the best ways to get in the Halloween spirit. You can opt for a full guided tour or research your town's best scary spots on your own.
Decorate Halloween Cookies
Break out those gingerbread men molds a few months early and decorate your cookies like ghosts, skeletons, vampires, or any other Halloween mascot.
Navigate a Corn Maze
A fun daytime activity for any age, a corn maze is a great way to spend quality time together, figure out a puzzle, and breathe in the fresh fall air. Chances are there's apple cider and a pumpkin patch nearby.
Go to an Escape Room
Problem solve as a family and get immersed in your own scary storyline with an outing to an escape room. There are options for all ages. Older groups can amp up the Halloween theme by opting for a haunted or scary escape room.
Walk Through a Pumpkin Patch
A good idea for a fall date day, a walk through your local pumpkin patch is so sweet. Pick out pumpkins for each other to carve, and don't forget to bring home a few extras to display for decoration.
Carve a Pumpkin
Take your pumpkin patch finds and carve them with whatever design your heart desires. In need of some inspiration? We found more than 75 creative pumpkin-carving ideas for every skill level.
Take a Hay Ride
See the fall sights and get swept off your feet on a romantic sunset hayride for two. It's a great activity for older kids too; they'll love seeing the farm from a funny new perspective.
Throw a Bonfire
Gather your friends, light a campfire on the beach or in the woods, and swap your best scary stories for a low-key Halloween night.
Host a Halloween Movie Marathon
Whether you stick to the horror genre or opt for something along the lines of Hocus Pocus, throw a Halloween movie night and invite your best friends. Have each of them pick a movie to show so there's no bickering about what to watch.
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful’s SEO Editor. She has covered everything from curated decor round-ups and shopping guides, to glimpses into the home lives of inspiring creatives, for publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, and Architectural Digest’s Clever.
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