Halloween Charades

Halloween Charades: The Ultimate Party Game for All Ages!

There’s something so magical about Halloween, isn’t there? The costumes, the spooky decorations, the sugar-fueled excitement from the kids (and let’s be honest, from us adults too!). But when it comes to keeping everyone entertained especially at a family party or neighborhood get-together sometimes you just need that one game that pulls people off the couch and into the fun. Enter: Halloween Charades.

Whether you’re wrangling a group of sugar-hyped kids, hosting a cozy gathering with close friends, or planning a classroom party, charades is that perfect blend of laughter, creativity, and just the right amount of silliness. And the Halloween twist? Well, that just makes it even more fun.

Let’s walk through how to set up your Halloween Charades game, plus I’ll share over 150 spooky, silly, and family-friendly charade ideas to get everyone giggling!

What is Halloween Charades?

If you’ve played regular charades before, you’re already halfway there. Halloween Charades is simply a themed version where every clue relates to something spooky, sweet, or seasonal. Instead of acting out “brushing your teeth” or “flying a kite,” you might be pretending to carve a pumpkin, chase someone like a zombie, or eat too much candy corn (we’ve all been there).

The beauty of charades is that it doesn’t require any fancy materials or prep. Just a little imagination, some printable cards (which you can totally handwrite if you’re a last-minute type like me), and a group ready to laugh.

Why Halloween Charades Is a Winner

Let me tell you why this game has become a staple in our house every October:

All Ages Can Play: Little kids, teens, grandparents it’s inclusive and adaptable.
No Equipment Needed: Just a bowl and some strips of paper, or your phone and a timer.
Perfect Icebreaker: Whether you’re bringing together new classmates or neighbors, nothing gets people bonding faster than trying to mime a werewolf transformation.

What You’ll Need

Here’s your no-stress list:

A bowl, basket, or even a trick-or-treat bucket
Printed or handwritten charades cards (ideas below!)
Timer or phone stopwatch
Optional: A notepad to keep score, if you’re feeling competitive
Optional: Teams, if your group is big

How to Play Halloween Charades

Super simple setup promise!

Split into Teams (Optional): Two teams work well for bigger groups. If it’s a smaller group or mostly younger kids, you can just go one by one in a big circle.
Draw a Card: One person draws a charades prompt from the bowl.
Act it Out: Without speaking or making sounds, the player has 1 minute to act out what’s on their card while their team (or the group) guesses.
Guess Right? Get a Point! If they guess correctly within the time, the team earns a point.
Rotate: Next person up, new card, and keep the fun rolling.

Tip: You can add fun house rules like spooky sound effects allowed for older kids or bonus points for especially dramatic performances.

Halloween Charades Word List

Here’s the good stuff. You can print these out, cut them into slips, or just jot down your favorites!

Easy (Great for Younger Kids)

Ghost
Witch flying on a broom
Carving a pumpkin
Trick-or-treating
Eating candy
Black cat
Scarecrow
Skeleton dancing
Spider crawling
Jumping in leaves
Bat flying
Frankenstein walking
Putting on a costume
Saying “Boo!”
Playing with slime
Decorating a house

Medium (For Ages 7+)

Haunted house
Mummy wrapping up
Zombie chase
Brewing a potion
Hiding from a monster
Bobbing for apples
Telling a scary story
Vampire biting
Werewolf howling
Getting scared
Making a jack-o’-lantern
Eating too much candy
Putting up cobwebs
Watching a scary movie
Walking through a corn maze
Dancing at a Halloween party

Hard (For Teens & Adults)

Waking up in a haunted house
Trying to escape a maze
Running from a chainsaw
Turning into a werewolf
Chasing someone as a headless horseman
Acting possessed
Getting caught in a spiderweb
Reading an ancient spellbook
Burying a cursed object
Dancing like Thriller
Seeing something move in the mirror
Digging up a grave
Getting trapped in a coffin
Hiding under the bed
Opening a creaky door slowly

Magical & Witchy Things

Stirring a cauldron
Reading a crystal ball
Flying on a broomstick in a storm
Casting a love spell

Candy & Treats

Getting a sugar rush
Dropping your trick-or-treat candy
Unwrapping a sticky lollipop
Sneaking candy when no one’s looking

Monster Mayhem

Hiding from a swamp monster
Chasing someone as the Boogeyman
A vampire afraid of garlic
A ghost stuck in a wall

Creepy & Crawly

Walking through a spiderweb
Catching bugs for a potion
Scaring someone with a plastic spider
Tiptoeing past a sleeping monster

Tips to Make It Extra Fun

Here are some things we’ve tried over the years that really level up the laughter:

Use Flashlights or Lanterns

Dim the lights and use spooky lighting during the game for extra ambiance.

Add Background Music

Play Halloween soundtracks or eerie instrumentals in the background while acting. Not too loud though you still want people to hear each other!

Dress-Up Charades

Have each player wear part of their costume while acting or better yet, assign them a prop or accessory (like a witch hat or vampire cape) when it’s their turn.

Make It a Challenge

Add little prizes for funniest performance, best guesser, or most dramatic zombie walk. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy think glow sticks or Halloween stickers.

Real Talk: Why I Love This Game

As a mom who’s hosted more Halloween parties than I can count school ones, neighborhood ones, even a last-minute backyard “costume parade” during lockdown I always circle back to charades. It’s one of those games that doesn’t need perfection. There’s no wrong way to act out “giant spider stuck in candy corn.” And watching your shyest kid suddenly burst into giggles while pretending to be a bat? That’s what makes it worth it.

It’s a game full of laughter, memories, and connection which, honestly, is what Halloween is all about underneath the costumes and candy.

Printable Halloween Charades Cards (Optional)

You can absolutely make your own, but if you’re the type who loves a shortcut (me too!), consider printing a ready-made set of Halloween charade cards to save time. Laminate them for reuse next year or toss them in your Halloween storage box to pull out year after year.

Halloween Charades is more than just a party game. It’s a moment where everyone big and little gets to be silly, creative, and just a little spooky together. Whether you’re planning a class party, hosting the neighborhood bash, or just hanging out with the kids at home on Halloween night, this game is a total winner.

So grab a bowl, scribble down a few cards, and get ready for giggles. Because nothing says “Happy Halloween” like grandma pretending to be a werewolf howling at the moon.